How many peoples first message is a cry for help??? Just turned 170,000 miles on my diesel and was parked in my driveway picking up the dog and the truck killed. I waited 20 minutes and it started right up. I didn't go anywhere that day. Next day it started fine, drove 5 miles and it died again. Friend thought it might be fuel filter so i changed that out. It started right up...problem solved...or not. I took it out later that day and died again. Died three more times getting it home. Each time it would start after letting it sit for 10-20 minutes. Mechanic friend looked at it and said the fuel pump was working (he climbed under and listened). Noticed that the fuel gauge was reading 1/2 a tank when before it said 1/4. He says sending unit. Would that explain/fix the stalling/restarting problem?

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!!!!

Jamie

 

....also, no Check Engine Light on.

 

Hi Jamie..

Has the CMP (cam position sensor) ever been changed?? If it stalls/dies, check while cranking to see if you notice the tach needle moving.. It's a REAL common problem for the cam sensors to fail on the 7.3, and the engine stall with a restart soon after..
The CMP is located above the front crank pulleys slightly to the right (passenger side) on the front timing cover.. Almost in between the water pump and lower pulleys..

If the CMP fails, the trucks computer doesn't detect a RPM signal and the injector driver module won't fire the fuel injectors.. Some folks carry and extra in the glove box, but if this is the original at 170K you've done very well.. Could be a few other things as well, but check this one first..

Could be a fuel delivery problerm, or a high pressure oil issue too, but the CMP's fail at a much higher rate..

 

Here's a pic of the sensor/ loaction if needed..

[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/2617B6EE4B3840C79BC825EAEC3590AC.gif[/IMG]

 

Thanks alot Hya...

I was having trouble locating it. I haven't worked on alot of engines....the most being a 1985 Yamaha FJ1100 in college....but am definitely getting better.

I did find where the sensor was yesterday. I unplugged it and made sure the connection felt tight. I read somewhere else that many times it's not the sensor, but the connection. No luck. I decided to have it towed to the dealer. They hooked up the diagnostics......"cam shaft position sensor is the problem" Nice work Hya. I priced the part at full dealer price at $186. They want $500 to fix it.....what!?!?!! It looks like an easy unbolt and plug in the new sensor kinda fix... Is that the case? Even with $100 for diagnostic hook-up, $185 for the part, that's $215.....or $315 if the 500 included the diagnosis. I looked on ebay and there were Ford parts in the wrapping for much much less. Any suggestions?

 

Welcome...

Sometimes the connector/pins can be the problem, but most times its the sensor..

If your not in a hurry you can save some $$ on eBay.. 186.00 is retail for the sensor, and if this happens to be your servicing dealer you might lean on them to give you a discount.. They have about 40.00 of room to work with..

Yes,, this is a one bolt easy install.. The CMP attaching bolt at times can be pretty snug, and an extension to get 'out and around' the bracket/pulleys will help.. Done from the underside.. If when you pull the sensor there is a 'shim' on the sensors face or stuck to the timing cover make sure it goes back on.. Most times there are none....

Good luck on the fix....