Start and run

ELLIOTT1418

MEMBER
1989 FORD F-150
220,000 MILES

Started up, drove a few feet and it died like I turned the swtch off. The module and the ignition coil checked good. Moved the distributor to retarded position and it started and idled fine. Put it back to the normal advanced position and it continued to idle smooth, but after killing it I had to retard it to start it again. Could this be a pickup coil malfunction?What do you think it could be?

4 Replies

JEREMY76

MEMBER
30 POSTS

You can do a ohm resistance test on the pickup to check if it is, it does sound like theres a chace it might be the problem. But I dont know the specs for that year pickup coil

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Sunday, April 29th, 2012 AT 3:24 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

NOT KNOWING MUCH ABOUT COMPUTER INJECTED RIGS

DOES YOUR DISTRIBUTOR HAVE A MECHANICAL ADVANCE. SEE IF THE SPRINGS ARE BROKE AND THE WEIGHTS THROWN OUTWARD

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, April 29th, 2012 AT 3:40 AM

ELLIOTT1418

MEMBER
2 POSTS

In reference to my 89 F150, I can drive it, I just don't know how far. The advance is electronic and it will not start until I retard the timeing and until I bring it back, it runs just like a severely retarded engine. This is my first time to experience this ailment.I have not tested the pickup coil yet. Does the pickup coil have something to do with the advance?

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Sunday, April 29th, 2012 AT 6:10 PM

JEREMY76

MEMBER
30 POSTS

The pickup helps hold idle and start, it also assists in driving conditions and performance. Ive experienced this problem in other vehicles and it ended up being the problem, but I did a ohm test before I spent the money!

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Monday, April 30th, 2012 AT 12:19 AM