A couple of weeks ago my wife complained that there was a problem with the truck going uphills (freeway speed). A went out an got her and had problems starting the truck. I popped the hood and seated all the SP/distrib wires and the the truck fired up. I didn't experience any problems my wife described. The next day I changed out the SP, oil & filter, and cleaned the TB and air filter....no problem.

Today my wife says she having the same problems. I take the truck on the freeway and some hills...no problem.

On the way back (30 min later), I finally start getting this stumbling. very fast and slight. Later, it happens more but stronger. Never longer than 5 seconds. It happens at all speeds and rpms. If it happens at a stop light while idling the engine dies. I got stuck in traffic in front of a mall today because it wouldn't start after the engine stumbled and died. I was there for 10 min when a cop came and pushed me to the side. I got in and it started right up.

About the only thing I haven't done tuneup wise is the cap/rotor and fuel filter.

The only other problem is the idle fluctuates btw 600-900rpm.

When it's not stumbling the engine seems to be running fine.

Any ideas??

p.s. this is what I'm planning on doing this morning:

- check for exposed wires for shorts
- replace cap/rotor
- Seafoam treatment

if still a problem:
- replace fuel filter
- have injectors cleaned

 

Probably throttle position sensor. I have the same problem...then it stopped. Then the truck sat a week and the problem is much worse.

Assuming you've never swapped out the fuel filter, go ahead and change it. Maybe you'll get lucky and that'll cure it, but I doubt it. Usually a plugged FF will cause cut-outs at speed but will run fine at idle. You've got the fluctuating idle thing goin'.

 

check to make sure that the ignitor wire's contacts aren't fouled. Next check the TPS sensor. Check the wires going to the TPS sensor as well. While you are at it, change the SP wires too....though I doubt those are the culprit. FF could be it buuuut mine was fine until 198000 when I swapped it out...

 

ha....man i went through this aggravation for over 6 months. It did get worse and would stumble all the time. Never really found the culprit but this was my long list.
Cleaned TB and checked IACV
New PCV valve
New Vacuum lines
New fuel filter
Ran Seafoam through it a few times
New K&N Filter
Cleaned Gas Tank
New tune up
New filter with 3 vacuum lines going onto it (screws into the side of the plenum)
New EGR valve
New Temp sensor
New cold start time injector switch
New AFM
New timing belt and tensioners
New throttle body hose
New thermostat
Cleaned Intake plenum
I think that is it...but I also think my timing played a big role in it. Put a timing light on it just to double check.

 

Ok...I may have found the problem.

I went to change the cap/rotor and found plastic and some metal shavings. I can see where the platic piece came from but not the metal. Also, it looks like some copper wire has come undone. It looks like the thin wire you would see in coil of some kind.

Does a replacement distributor come with a cap/rotor? If so, I'll skip installing the cap/rotor and keep the truck down one more day.

I've never replaced a distributor. Anyone have a good write-up? All I know is you need to align it to TDC....right?

 

to answer my own question...the distributor doesn't come w/the cap/rotor. Here are some prices:

- dealer - $500
- Napa - $300
- Advanced Auto - $200 => problem is the one I bought from them didn't fit. I'm going to try Napa. I hate having to keep going back to exchange parts!

I usually buy OEM, but I can't see spending $500 for one part on an engine that has 320K on it.

 

try a wrecking yard for parts. If it's got 320k, why spend more than you need to?

Troy

 

I got one from Napa...it looked OEM compared to AAP and the price was less than $200 with a AAA discount and core. I think I was miss quoted before.

It was running great for a couple of day, but then the idle started running too low. I adjusted the idle up and it runs fine, but I think there is another problem somewhere. No other problems so I'm happy.