Check engine = shut down

[painted ford]

Does anyone know what I should look for?
Driving along check engine light comes on then engine looses power , sounds like it is runnung on four cyls. Wait a little while restart runs ok for about 45 seconds to a minute and then goes back to four cyl. mode.
Checked fuel filter ,tubes on turbo , all fluids any ideas ?????

[Brian]

most autoparts stores will do a diagnostic check for free. then you can go from there...

[painted ford]

Thank You,
I would take it to the local stor but it doesnt have enough power to even get there. Had to tow it home

[mschn99]

pull both valve covers....there is a good chance that one of the harnesses under there is partially disconnected from the valve cover.......after the cover is off, look at it and see if it has backed off beyond the clip that is supposed to hold it in place....if it has, replace the under valve cover harnesses.........also, a note.....do NOT remove the baffle that is attatched to the drivers side valve cover....take that one bolt that it blocks you from getting a socket on....take it out with a wrench........Marc

[Deeno]

Originally Posted by mschn99

pull both valve covers....there is a good chance that one of the harnesses under there is partially disconnected from the valve cover.......after the cover is off, look at it and see if it has backed off beyond the clip that is supposed to hold it in place....if it has, replace the under valve cover harnesses.........also, a note.....do NOT remove the baffle that is attatched to the drivers side valve cover....take that one bolt that it blocks you from getting a socket on....take it out with a wrench........Marc

Could a cam sensor going bad cause this or would that cause the engine to just die and not start?

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by Deeno

Could a cam sensor going bad cause this or would that cause the engine to just die and not start?

ive never seen a cam sensor cause a rough idle like he describes........its there or its not, so it causes a stall.......but if that harness i talked about is partially disconnected and loses connection entirely once oil gets on the little bit left touching.......then it will basically be running on just one bank, so it will be running on four cylenders........Marc

[Deeno]

Originally Posted by mschn99

ive never seen a cam sensor cause a rough idle like he describes........its there or its not, so it causes a stall.......but if that harness i talked about is partially disconnected and loses connection entirely once oil gets on the little bit left touching.......then it will basically be running on just one bank, so it will be running on four cylenders........Marc

If that is the case then the PCM would probably have stored a misfire code for the cylinders on the bank that the connection failed on. If he has or knows someone who has a scan tool and those misfire codes were in fact stored in memory, it might save him the extra work of pulling both valve covers off.

[mschn99]

Originally Posted by Deeno

If that is the case then the PCM would probably have stored a misfire code for the cylinders on the bank that the connection failed on. If he has or knows someone who has a scan tool and those misfire codes were in fact stored in memory, it might save him the extra work of pulling both valve covers off.

actually it usually sets injector or glow plug codes for only that bank.....but it is kind of a gray area, because sometimes there is enough contact to prevent a code, but not enough to fire things correctly......the easiest way is usually to just check it out.....although if there is a code it can help greatly......Marc

[painted ford]

Gentlemen,
I have just finished pulling the left side valve cover and the connection on this side did not appear to be loose and definately not out of the clip.
I will start on the other side the next time I can get out to the garage.
I work a lot of hours and have horses (the reason I have the truck)
thank you for your input

[wesjones]

good luck with that...i suspect marks right...rough idle and check engine light seems like a valve issue...

wes