I just got a really good deal on an 88 F-150 4x4 ext cab with a 5.0L 5spd that the clutch fan had come apart on and took out the water pump bearing and rad. I have fixed all that but when i drive it the check engine light flickers quite often, it seems to be running good but im just wondering why it would flicker and not just come on and stay on for awhile?

 

With my experience on flickering light, I would have to call Ford up with that one..Good Luck!

MarauderS

 

Have someone read the cades for you. It can be done for free at most chain auto parts stores.

 

A bit of an update..................
I drove it all day today and it looks like its flashing codes while its being driven. But if it is its almost every code possible. The truck runs awesome so i dont get it.

 

Did you get the codes Checked?
You should have an ODB I so you could pick up a reader which is relatively cheap (around $40 or so) at most auto parts stores or just use a paper clip to jump the contector just inside the hood. If you want I'll get you all the proper info on doing this.
once the connector is jumped its as easy as watching the check engin light flash,recording the number of flashes and then matching up the number of flashes and sequence to the codes. I am sure when I did this the code list was on this forum. If not a quick search in google should do it. If you have trouble getting the codes let me know and I can find what I used.

Having said all that when my check engin light was flashing it kept showing up as a EGR valve problem. Which in actual fact ended up being a vaccum leak. On of the hoses was broken, fixed that and the light went out. So one place to start might be to check your vaccum lines, that is other than getting the codes read.

Hope this help a little.
Andy - GWN
89 Ford F150 5.0L EFI

 

Try disconnecting the battery for a while to see if the computer "resets" and see if it does this again.

 

You can use an analog volt meter to pull the codes. Just count the sweeps to get the code numbers. All OBD I codes are 2 digits.

Example: sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep (pause) sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep, sweep = 48

A 48 would be the fault code for "Injectors unbalanced "


Diagnostic Trouble Codes - 1988
Ford



11
System "pass"

12
RPM out of spec (extended idle)

13
RPM out of spec (normal idle)

14
PIP was erratic (continuous test)

15
ROM test failed

16
RPM too low (fuel lean test) **

17
RPM too low (upstream/lean test) **

18
No tach

19
No power to processor or idle speed incorrect

21
ECT out of range

22
MAP out of range

23
TPS out of range

24
ACT out of range

25
Knock not sensed in test

26
MAF (VAF) out of range

28
Ambient temp. below 50° F (1.9L EFI & 2.3L Turbo only)

31
EVP out of limits

32
EGR not controlling

33
EVP not closing properly

34
No EGR flow

35
RPM too low (EGR test)

36
Fuel always lean (at idle)

37
Fuel always rich (at idle)

41
System always lean

42
System always rich

43
EGO cool down occurred

44
Air management system inoperative

45
Air always upstream

46
Air not always bypassed

47
Up air/lean test always rich***

48
Injectors unbalanced

51
ECT input too high

52
Power steering pressure switch is open or steering wheel not turned during KOER self-test

53
TPS input too high

54
ACT (VAT) input too high

55
Electrical charging under voltage

56
MAF (VAF) input too high

58
Idle tracking switch input too high (engine running test)

59
Trans. hydraulic switch (THS 3/4) failed in open position (3.0L & 3.8L A/T only

61
ECT input too low

62
Trans. hydraulic switch (THS 3/4) failed

63
TPS input too low

64
ACT (VAT) input too low

65
Electrical charging over voltage

66
MAF (VAF) input too low

67
Neutral drive switch drive or accelerator on (engine off)

68
ITS open or AC on (engine-off test)

69
Trans. hydraulic switch (THS 3/2) failed

72
No MAP change in "goose test"

73
No TPS change in "goose test"

74
Brake on/off switch always open or not activated during test

75
Brake on/off switch always closed or circuit shorted

76
No MAF (VAF) change in "goose test"

77
Operator did not do "goose test"

79
Neutral drive switch (NDS) or A/C input signal interrupted

81
Thermactor air bypass (TAB) circuit fault

82
Thermactor air diverter (TAD) circuit fault

83
EGR control (EGRC) circuit fault

84
EGR vent (EGRV) circuit fault

85
Canister purge (CANP) circuit fault

86
WOT A/C cut-off circuit fault (all 3.8L and 5.0L Continental)

87
Fuel pump circuit fault

88
Throttle kicker circuit fault (5.0L)

89
Check Continuity Of VPWR Circuit

91
Right EGO always lean

92
Right EGO always rich

93
Right EGO cool down occurred

94
Right secondary air inoperative

95
Right air always upstream

96
Right air always not bypassed

97
RPM drop (with fuel lean) but right EGO rich

98
RPM drop (with fuel rich) but right EGO lean

99
ECA has not stored enough information to control idle speed (CFI engines only

** On 1986 and later vehicles, this represents RPM too high/low or throttle pedal was depressed during KOER Self-Test
*** Low flow of unmetered air on 1987-88 1.9L EFI engine



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