3 dummy lights on and motor has a hiccup

[fishnfowlr]

Hey guys, I'm stumped here and need a little help. I have a '96 F250 with a 7.3L powerstroke. The engine temp, water in fuel and fuel filter lights are all on together and the motor has a hiccup. Engine temp is good by the guage, I've drained the water separator several times and have installed a new fuel filter, but the lights are still on. Every now and then they will dim or even go off while driving but light up again if I let off the accellerator or go downhill. The motor's hiccup is a lot like when there is water in the separator. It jerks as if the fuel is off for about a half second, then drives on as usual, but it's happening a lot more frequent and if it happens when I'm stopped, it will kill the motor. I've put a bottle of SeaFoam in the tank hoping it might help the injectors or take care of any moisture issues, but the fuel is fresh. Like I said, draining the fuel/water separator has no affect. The fuel heater is disconnected from a while back when it shorted and caused the motor to cut off. Haven't had any issues with it in over a year since I disconnected that. I did have an injector that had to warm up before it would work right. Is there a chance this could be injector related? I've had injectors go out before but never with all of these dummy lights on. What would cause all 3 of these lights to come on at the same time? Especially when I'm sure none of the lights are on for the reasons they should be. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brad

[95_PSD]

cam positioning sensor. replace it, I just did mine, i had all the same symptoms

[fishnfowlr]

Originally Posted by 95_PSD

cam positioning sensor. replace it, I just did mine, i had all the same symptoms

Did you also have the 3 dummy lights I've listed come on and stay on (fuel in water, fuel filter, engine temp)? I've had the cam sensor go out before and it was instant, without warning and no dummy lights associated with it. It would restart after a while, but only long enough to get my butt back to the house.

[madpogue]

Those three lights are all specific to the diesels, and all on that same panel on the dash. AFAIK, they each go on by their corresponding sensor grounding when the sensor/switch closes. Gotta wonder if there's some sneak/short circuit in that panel making them all go on. If I don't forget, I'll scratch my head over that section of the EVTM tonight.

[fishnfowlr]

Originally Posted by madpogue

Those three lights are all specific to the diesels, and all on that same panel on the dash. AFAIK, they each go on by their corresponding sensor grounding when the sensor/switch closes. Gotta wonder if there's some sneak/short circuit in that panel making them all go on. If I don't forget, I'll scratch my head over that section of the EVTM tonight.

Thanks Madpogue, i need all the help I can get on this. Odd that I would have multiple issues all at once, but stranger things have happened. I can deal with the lights but the jerking/cough that the engine has is what I would also like to resolve. I'll check to see if there are any visible bare wires under the hood.

[madpogue]

Well, the one time that all three light up together normally is when starting the truck. Yeah, unlike a lot of vehicles, the "bulb test" is the key in the START position. So when you first turn the key to RUN, before starting (key on engine off), those three should NOT light up. Then, when you twist the key to START, all three should be ON, and stay on until you let go of the key and it springs back to RUN. So if that's not what it's doing, it could be -- COULD be -- something with your ignition switch.

Does the oil pressure "gauge" work as expected?

[fishnfowlr]

Originally Posted by madpogue

Well, the one time that all three light up together normally is when starting the truck. Yeah, unlike a lot of vehicles, the "bulb test" is the key in the START position. So when you first turn the key to RUN, before starting (key on engine off), those three should NOT light up. Then, when you twist the key to START, all three should be ON, and stay on until you let go of the key and it springs back to RUN. So if that's not what it's doing, it could be -- COULD be -- something with your ignition switch.

Does the oil pressure "gauge" work as expected?

Unfortuanately, they don't all just stay on. After driving a short ways with constant fuel demand (level ground) all 3 lights will begin to dim and eventually go off. But if I come to a stop or drive downhill where fuel demand is less, all 3 lights will begin to brighten back up and stay bright until I repeat that same scenario again. All gauges are working normal. That's how I know the engine is not hot. The gauge shows it to be running on the cool side, as it normally does.

[madpogue]

What about on startup? Do they come on when you first turn the key to RUN? What about while holding the key in START?

[fishnfowlr]

Originally Posted by madpogue

What about on startup? Do they come on when you first turn the key to RUN? What about while holding the key in START?

I'll have to take a look at that after work today when I get home and let you know. Haven't really paid that much attention to it. I hate to go from memory because mine sucks, but I think all 3 lights are on with the key in the "on" position but don't recall if they are on in the "start" position.