Like a CPS failure but Not. Engine just dies - Diesel Forum

WaveEater · 09-10-2007, 09:20 PM

I've been having an intermittent problem over the last couple years or so on my 1999 F-350. I had thought it was caused by the Cam Sensor failing, replacing it seemed to make a difference.
Symptoms are just like people describe being a Cam sensor failure but over the last couple days it is getting worse.
Replacing the sensor now makes no difference.

It seems like the ignition is just shutting off. happens when the engine is running and sometimes even before the truck is started.
I turn the key on to start and then I hear the ignition just click off. Once I do get it started it may die at any moment.

This happens when engine is warm, cold, idling, running hard....Make no difference, may happen 10 times a day, may only happen once a day.
Can't figure it out,..

WaveEater · 09-10-2007, 11:40 PM

I just saw this post on from another topic. Sounds like my problem also. Going to check the harness in the morning.

Truck has 287,000 miles on and this has been the only real problem

Re: Truck turning off at random [Re: action4478]
F350_6 F350_6
Member

Registered: 04/07/07
Posts: 166
Loc: Texas OK. This isn't a guaranteed fix, but on my 02 350 I had the same symptoms. Truck would die or cut out, SES (CEL) & water in fuel light would come on or flash at the same time. I had a short in the main engine wiring harness. On the driver side of the truck look in front of the master cylinder, but behind the turbo intake hose. As you stare at the valve cover you will see a wiring harness with a small square box right over the valve cover. Check to see if the wires have been rubbing on the valve cover, or above that where the wires run through a bracket. That's where my short was. This was apparently enough of a concern that Ford issued a TSB on it. The other 2 places to check for a short according to the TSB are a wiring harness that runs across the top of the driver front shock (my truck does not have this harness) or inside the steering wheel column.

After replacing my CPS & fuel pump, and taking it to a local mechanic, I finally paid the Ford house $275 to install 2 crimp connectors and some electrical tape. I guess once you know where to look for the short you can charge whatever you want.
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2002 F350 6 spd 3.73 LS

arisley · 09-10-2007, 11:45 PM

Don't know what year your truck is or anything else. Can be important. How old are your batteries, not for the older problem, but could be two problems that you might think are one. These trucks take a LOT of juice to bust them off, they will spin like a banshee and not bust off because the batts are a little off. They like the juice and lots of it.

WaveEater · 09-11-2007, 12:15 AM

My truck is a 1999 F-350. I don't think there are other issues except this intermittent issue of shutting off. The ignition may shut off at anytime whether the truck is running or not. Just like turning the key off. Sometimes this happens seconds after turning the key on, sometimes after the truck has started, sometimes after 5 hours of driving.....

I have several batteries for, winch, inverters, transfer pumps, etc.. also a full set of gauges to monitor just about everything

**action4478** · 09-11-2007, 10:10 AM

I don't remember where I saved this from ,,,,,

Started and drove fine for a couple of days then started getting a check engine light at startup for 60 to 90 seconds. After it went out had full power and drove good. Started cutting out while drivin at any speed. Just a second or so and back to full power. I thought I was going to rip the yoke off the rear end. Hooked up the Genesys while driving to watch the data stream. when it cut out the icp would drop to 2psi. The light comes on and the computer goes into limp mode. Turns out the icp was leaking oil through the body of the icp into the electrical connecter. I guess it was causing an intermittant open like it was unplugged which is why the computer was still letting the truck run in limp mode. Had code 1280.

JimTJr · 09-11-2007, 10:17 AM

Do you have any CEL after this happens? Have you pulled the codes? Does the radio, and everything go off then?
If you say "Like turning off the key" and no dash lights, or anything?
It does sound like a terrible electrical gremlin, maybe start the truck, (Or just turn the key on, and crawl under the dash, slowly moving wires around by the steering column, and pushing them, where they go up inside?) See if it's ignition wire harness related?

F350_6 · 09-11-2007, 10:10 PM

Well you beat me to my own answer. Action 4478 has a good idea also. Just keep in mind, don't leave the key on and start wiggling wires under the hood or you may get a good jolt. Checking the steering column like JimTJr suggested with the key on should be ok.

Have you made any progress on this yet?

WaveEater · 09-12-2007, 02:40 PM

action4478,

Thanks for the info. I checked the ICP plug and it was indeed full of fuel. I cleaned the contacts and connector and have not had a failure over the last hour of driving.

I ordered a new ICP, hope it solves the problem. Time will tell.

I have 6 used CPS sensors that are all probably good if anyone needs one. I replace it each time the truck started to shutting off but saved the old ones, Glad I did as it seems it was never a CPS failure at all. What finally lead me to believe it was not a CPS failure was the fact that the ignition would die before the truck was started.

Racer_X · 09-12-2007, 04:54 PM

<span style='font-size: 14pt'>Hope that's it. If not the ignition switch adjustment itself or worn contacts maybe your problem. It's a sliding switch and will get loose contacts before wear out. Good Luck.</span>
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WaveEater · 09-13-2007, 09:20 AM

YESSSS!! cleaned the oil off the ICP contacts and no more issues, full day of driving yesterday. This morning the gremlin came back shut off twice before getting out of the driveway. Popped the hood looked at the ICP connector, it was full of oil again, cleaned it and the truck no longer shuts off by itself.

Thanks for finding that old post action4478.
F350_6 thanks for the electrical harness points to look for. I checked that first but since the failure was not related to vibrations, bumps, or humidity, i didn't think it would be the harness.

I wonder how many other people are going around changing out CPS sensors when their problem is actually the ICP sensor. I wouldn't think I am the only fool.

slowpoke · 09-14-2007, 08:54 AM

I have the same problem. I replaced the CPS, and subsequently pulled a trailer to Eastern Kentucky, traveled the hills for a week doing mission work, then home with no issues. Now the 'darn thing' just won't go. We did a diagnostic on it and found no codes set. The wiring harness connections to the valve cover gaskets were bad on the transmission end of the engine. The glow plugs and the solenoid will be replaced, along with the wiring harness inside the covers and outside, along with the valve cover gaskets. Am I missing anything? I have 100,000 miles on the beast, and this is the first non-warranty repair. The glow-plugs have been replaced before. Sure is puzzling.

slowpoke · 09-14-2007, 08:59 AM

What is the ICP?

**action4478** · 09-14-2007, 09:03 AM

Injection control pressure pic ... Here....

WaveEater · 09-18-2007, 09:56 PM

Ok I am stumped...
Not a CPS sensor, changed 6 times made no difference.
Changed ICP sensor, made a difference. The old one would pool oil in the connector. cleaning the connector immediately made an improvement. New ICP installed now, problem not as bad as before but still there.

To repeat the problem. Truck’s ignition may die at any moment Running or not, may kick back in by itself, may need to turn the key off and back on. Never left me stranded but is a nuisance

Example of a failure; I turn the key on to start, I hear the fuel pump kick in and relays click. Then click the fuel pump shuts off, sometimes after a second it will click back on and I can start the truck fine, most times I have to turn the key off and back on.

Another example of a failure. Driving, the truck will just die (not run out of fuel die, or sputter die) just like turning the key off. Sometimes truck will automatically start back up after a second and go stay at 1,000 rpms for a second then will run normally. Most of the time I will have to turn the key off and restart.

This problem is not related to vibrations, heat, cold, moisture, water, bumps, turns, or other electrical items. I am an engineer by trade and have tried to relate this to some situation over the last year that causes it. But, it is random... So far the only benefit I have seen was after cleaning the ICP and now with the new ICP the problem is less common but still there

F350_6 · 09-18-2007, 10:12 PM

Well then, the answer is obvious. You have a gremlin. It kind of sounds like an electrical issue. Have you checked the ignition contacts as described above? Have you checked the truck with a good scanner to see if there are any hidden codes? If not, I'd get the truck scanned, just keep in mind that codes relating to bad battery connections can also relate to a short or bad connection somewhere causing the PCM to reset while driving.