Waiting for AAA.

[Sdude2008]

99 3.0 manual 4x4 ~140k
Drove an hour today no problem. Drove home 45 min truck started to buck quickly as if it was dying for a second and ‘pop’ restarting. Gradually got worse until it felt like it wasnt responding to the pedal. Much like it would feel when running out of gas. Tank at 1/4. Pulled off the road and it died. Would crank but not restart. Sat a while maybe 20 min. It would start but is running horribly, choking and sputtering. I can get it to move but it stalls immediately upon stopping. Strong gas and dieseling smells when it dies. I’ve been reading while I wait for AAA and most things I can find relate to rough idling which I didnt have until now. I’ll be checking fuel pressure iac maf, everything I’ve just read about but just wondering if anyone has experienced these same circumstances. Maybe some kind of grounding issue. tia

i’ve had a problem a couple times in the past where my gas gauge registered, but I seem to run out of gas so I went and put more gas and I was able to get it started again and limp home. It was running very rough all the way, but I was able to drive. Given the age of this thing I’m going to check for a leaking gas line. Maybe that’s the problem. Any suggestions are welcome thanks

 

[SenorNoob]

When was the fuel filter last changed?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If youre smelling gas when it dies it sounds like its flooding more so then starving,

 

[Sdude2008]

When was the fuel filter last changed?

Good question. I’ve put a little over 40k on it and I havent changed it. I will now. ty

 

[rumblecloud]

Long shot here...Unplug the MAF sensor and try again.

 

[Sdude2008]

Long shot here...Unplug the MAF sensor and try again.

I tried and no change. Thanks for the suggestion. I’m going to check a list of things today.

 

[Sdude2008]

If youre smelling gas when it dies it sounds like its flooding more so then starving,

Yes. Thinking maybe some cylinders aren't firing. Thanks.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Yes. Thinking maybe some cylinders aren't firing. Thanks.

3.0's are known for bad coilpacks

 

[Sdude2008]

3.0's are known for bad coilpacks

I didn’t know that but I have had to replace one on another 3.0. Thank you.

 

[Sdude2008]

Plugs were torched, replaced. Replaced wires. O2 sensors were smoked, replaced. Replaced front cats, rear cats were empty, replaced. Runs again.

 

[SenorNoob]

That is quite the list.

 

[Sdude2008]

the same Issue has returned. I've since found I had a six year old bad battery which has also been replaced after calling on AAA once again. With the new battery it starts right up but continues to hesitate on acceleration. I've read so many posts here and everywhere on this same topic but I'm getting nowhere. I won't throw parts at this problem, I have to get to the fix. Anyway some further developments. I went on just answer and chatted with a Ford tech. He had me check fuel pressure which is a steady 54 at idle, while driving and when the engine is hesitating. I replaced the fuel filter for good measure with no change. I did a live scan at idle and while driving/and hesitation and this tech told me my STFT should stay between -3 and 3 which is does not. I recorded a -12, -10 and up to a 5 while driving with the issue. At idle I was about 4-10. I have noticed my temp gauge suddenly reads ~1/4 when it has always read ~1/2. I recently replaced the thermostat and the gauge temp sensor with the help of this forum because my dash temp gauge never worked. We eventually got to a point where he told me yeah it could be anything...
His last advice today was:
"The temperature gauge takes it's signal from the ECT sensor, which can affect the A/F mixture.
That can be checked under live data in the PCM using the scan tool, to see if the value is valid or erratic."

I'm going to check the ect on live data. PCM temp reading rose to 177.4 and stayed there, gauge read just below half.

Any advice or direction is much appreciated. TIA

Update: I tested the MAF sensor. Red wire 12v, Blk/Wht wire 12v, Tan/lt blu wire 6.22v and lt blu/red wire voltage rose and dropped with engine speed. The 6.22 is low according to specs and indicates the MAF isn't receiving ground from the PCM. Would this cause the MAF to not produce correct readings? TIA

 

[superj]

177 sounds awful cold for a properly running fuel injected truck.

 

[SenorNoob]

With so many things acting strange, I'd check the cab and engine grounds...

 

[Sdude2008]

With so many things acting strange, I'd check the cab and engine grounds...

Thank you. I've been suspicious of a ground issue. I'll be checking today.