Embarrassing Breakdowns

[GhostRider94]

Hi all, I have an '02 7.3L E350SD that I haul expedited freight in. I travel an avg. of 500 miles a day. I bought the van new in july '03 and now have 342000 miles on it. Never been fond of Fords until this vehicle. Has been a great truck. About a month ago I decided to try a superchips programmer to improve fuel economy. About 2 weeks later my problem arose. My check engine light will come on and stall out engine. Most times it will restart right away. Other times I have to let it sit for a few minutes. There are days i will drive 600 miles with no problem. Other days I dont get out of town. Usually when this problem occurs and i give it 15 minutes before restarting the problem will not occur again until I stop (i.e. red light or toll booth, hence embarrassing moment). I've been reading the threads on here and can relate my problem to most others with faulty cam position sensor problems, but wanted a little more elaboration before investing in new sensor. If this sensor is bad, why does it restart over and over and sometimes not act up all? Why isnt performance or mileage affected except when check engine light is on? P.S. I removed superchips program when problem arose and have not reinstalled it since. Could programmer have screwed up my computer? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. P.S.S. Great site. Will continue to view threads.

[purduefarmboy460]

Welcome to the site! Everyone here will tell you that the CPS is a big problem, it sounds like a good place to start, if it kept acting up after you removed the programmer, I would say that it wasn't the superchip. If you have access to a code reader, hook it up and see what it is saying. I had some trouble with my 01 stalling out at lights and such, but it went away, I think it was just the really damp weather those few days. Good Luck and keep us posted on what you find out! What do you guys think? CPS most likely?

[GhostRider94]

Thanks for the warm welcome farmboy. My van acts up regardless of the weather. And after posting first message I went to Autozone and their code reader showed nothing wrong. Will check in later. P.S. Go Buckeyes

[erlong]

Originally Posted by GhostRider94

Thanks for the warm welcome farmboy. My van acts up regardless of the weather. And after posting first message I went to Autozone and their code reader showed nothing wrong. Will check in later. P.S. Go Buckeyes

When my Cam Position Sensor went bad at 80K miles, it didn't throw a code. Ford dealer had no idea what was going on. Thankfully I researched online and found other owners with similar problems and they suggested the CPS. I told Ford this, they replaced it (under warranty) and all was well.

In my situation, I was driving along at 40 MPH and the truck just died. I coasted to a stop, tried starting again...didn't start. Sat overnight, all weekend long, when the dealer got in it first thing the following Monday, it started right away. Go figure. They claimed nothing was wrong. In an effort to prove them wrong, I drove the truck around town and about 2 miles down the road...same thing, it died and would not restart.

Since it's part of the electronics, it explains the sporadic nature of it working and not working for no apparent reason. I would definitely try the CPS first.

[GhostRider94]

Thanks Erlong. I bought a cps off of ebay yesterday for 56 bucks after shipping charges. Hopefully Ill get home this weekend to install it. Ill post the results next week sometime. I talked to a ford tech yesterday and he suggested changing cps also. Thing I dont understand is if this little part is such a big problem why doesnt ford force the maker to upgrade it and then issue a recall. Dealers would lose a large so of revenue I guess.

[erlong]

Originally Posted by GhostRider94

Thanks Erlong. I bought a cps off of ebay yesterday for 56 bucks after shipping charges. Hopefully Ill get home this weekend to install it. Ill post the results next week sometime. I talked to a ford tech yesterday and he suggested changing cps also. Thing I dont understand is if this little part is such a big problem why doesnt ford force the maker to upgrade it and then issue a recall. Dealers would lose a large so of revenue I guess.

Considering the mileage you have on your vehicle, I would be happy if mine lasted that long.

I don't really think it's the part that's faulty...sensors will fail...it's what happens to the vehicle AFTER the part fails. You would think Ford would have implemented a "limp-home" mode if the CPS fails. It is really a bummer that this sensor can leave you completely stranded like it has done so many people.

[99Smokin73Stroker]

I highly doubt it's the cps. Once those go you aren't driving more than a couple of miles let along 600. When it's gone it's gone...so I would say take it to a real diesel expert shop, not a dealer......they don't know what the hell they're doing

[GhostRider94]

Thanks 99smokin73stroker. You just killed what little confidence I had in solving my problem inexpensively. Taking it to a shop is my last resort. This truck is my job. Time in the shop is money lost. Id rather drive it til it breaks, then itll be easier to troubleshoot. LOL. Its all good, though. Would rather see honest opinions rather than false hope. I already paid for the part though so I gotta try it. Will post results when I get home to install it. (Havent been home in 2 weeks.)

[99Smokin73Stroker]

Sorry Ghost!! I just didn't want to see you waste any more time than you already have on a dead end. However the upside is having an extra cps, which can turn out to be priceless once it strands you in the middle of nowhere!

[GhostRider94]

hey all. just wanted to let you know new cps was cracked. been a week and 2000 miles and no problems. Well shouldnt say no problems, got a brake job to do. Thanks again.