'99 F250 SD with strange problem

ColoQuarterH · 08-17-2006, 11:07 AM

Hello all. This site came highly recommended and after reading through a few posts I see there is a lot of truck knowledge here so I'm hoping to tap into it. The explaination of my problem may be a little long and drawn out but I want to give all the details in the hopes of finding a possible solution so please bear with me.

I have a 1999 F250 SD 4wd. I'm "assuming" this is some sort of electical problem affecting the computer but no one seems to know where to start. When I use the windshield wipers if my foot is on the accelerator the truck will cut out like it wants to die. You can visibly see the rpms drop then go back up. As soon as I turn off the wipers or remove my foot from the accelerator the problem goes away. However, whether the wipers are currently in use or not, at the next stop if the wipers have been used the truck will die. I can kick it into neutral and it will immediately start back up. If I put it in part and turn the truck off it appears to reset whatever caused the problem and the truck runs fine.

An additional problem appeared the other day when I hooked up to our trailer. During the first half hour of the trip the truck drove fine then it started to rain. After using the wipers (with my foot OFF the accelerator) the truck did it's normal dying thing at each stop. The following morning I pulled out with the trailer still attached (I had not unplugged the trailer plug over night) and not a cloud in the sky. The first two stops were fine then the truck started dying at every stop even though the wipers had not been used. I stopped the truck, turned it off and restarted it which usually clears up the problem however it did not work this time. A couple miles down the road I dropped the trailer in a parking lot to come back for it later. After dropping the trailer the truck ran fine. The trailer brake controller is a Valley and it was installed in Januaury. I had not troubles with it until the other problems started a couple months ago.

I've visited the dealership 3 times with this problem. The first time they changed the exhause valve. The second time they claimed that my chip was causing the problem and they removed it. The third time they were unable to find any problem. I've talked to mechanic friends in the area and no one seems to know where to start. I don't want to start randomly changing out parts to track it down since I haven't hit the powerball yet.

Any ideas???

mudseeker · 08-17-2006, 05:43 PM

here's my thoughts on your problem. it stalls when it is wet outside, it also does it when pulling the trailer, your engine is working a little harder causing the problem to show up more.that would make me think you had a cracked distributer or exposed wire getting wet or you have a vacum leak caused by a bad intake gasket or tbi gasket. i would also look at the wire harness if it does it with the wipers on and no water or rain.

ColoQuarterH · 08-18-2006, 01:14 PM

Thanks, Mudseeker. I'll I'll take a look at the wire harness since it does (occasionally) do it with the wipers on and no rain. I'm also going to remove the trailer brake controller to take that out of the equation and see what happens.

75K30 · 08-19-2006, 11:40 PM

Have you ever noticed this this problem with the headlights on? Or have you noticed any problems with what Ford calls the "high mount stop lamp"? (3rd tailight). The reason I ask, is because, the wipers, and all of the items you have listed are related to the multi function switch. These items are directly related to the "remote anti theft personality system. A poor ground,,,,,,,,,,,,,, could actually result in your symptoms.

ColoQuarterH · 08-20-2006, 10:37 AM

Funny that you mention that! Just a couple of days ago I noticed two additional symptoms. There was a boost gauge installed in the truck before I bought it and when I started it up the other day the gauge had an alarm. I turned the truck off and restarted it...it cleared the alarm and it hasn't happened since. That same night a headlight that I had thought was burned out (and hadn't yet replaced) came back on and is still on. I'll check out your suggestion asap. Thanks!

08-17-2006, 11:07 AM	#1
ColoQuarterH Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	'99 F250 SD with strange problem Hello all. This site came highly recommended and after reading through a few posts I see there is a lot of truck knowledge here so I'm hoping to tap into it. The explaination of my problem may be a little long and drawn out but I want to give all the details in the hopes of finding a possible solution so please bear with me. I have a 1999 F250 SD 4wd. I'm "assuming" this is some sort of electical problem affecting the computer but no one seems to know where to start. When I use the windshield wipers if my foot is on the accelerator the truck will cut out like it wants to die. You can visibly see the rpms drop then go back up. As soon as I turn off the wipers or remove my foot from the accelerator the problem goes away. However, whether the wipers are currently in use or not, at the next stop if the wipers have been used the truck will die. I can kick it into neutral and it will immediately start back up. If I put it in part and turn the truck off it appears to reset whatever caused the problem and the truck runs fine. An additional problem appeared the other day when I hooked up to our trailer. During the first half hour of the trip the truck drove fine then it started to rain. After using the wipers (with my foot OFF the accelerator) the truck did it's normal dying thing at each stop. The following morning I pulled out with the trailer still attached (I had not unplugged the trailer plug over night) and not a cloud in the sky. The first two stops were fine then the truck started dying at every stop even though the wipers had not been used. I stopped the truck, turned it off and restarted it which usually clears up the problem however it did not work this time. A couple miles down the road I dropped the trailer in a parking lot to come back for it later. After dropping the trailer the truck ran fine. The trailer brake controller is a Valley and it was installed in Januaury. I had not troubles with it until the other problems started a couple months ago. I've visited the dealership 3 times with this problem. The first time they changed the exhause valve. The second time they claimed that my chip was causing the problem and they removed it. The third time they were unable to find any problem. I've talked to mechanic friends in the area and no one seems to know where to start. I don't want to start randomly changing out parts to track it down since I haven't hit the powerball yet. Any ideas???

08-17-2006, 05:43 PM	#2
mudseeker Moderator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 3,934	here's my thoughts on your problem. it stalls when it is wet outside, it also does it when pulling the trailer, your engine is working a little harder causing the problem to show up more.that would make me think you had a cracked distributer or exposed wire getting wet or you have a vacum leak caused by a bad intake gasket or tbi gasket. i would also look at the wire harness if it does it with the wipers on and no water or rain. __________________ member map add yourself

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08-18-2006, 01:14 PM	#3
ColoQuarterH Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	Thanks, Mudseeker. I'll I'll take a look at the wire harness since it does (occasionally) do it with the wipers on and no rain. I'm also going to remove the trailer brake controller to take that out of the equation and see what happens.

08-19-2006, 11:40 PM	#4
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,518	Have you ever noticed this this problem with the headlights on? Or have you noticed any problems with what Ford calls the "high mount stop lamp"? (3rd tailight). The reason I ask, is because, the wipers, and all of the items you have listed are related to the multi function switch. These items are directly related to the "remote anti theft personality system. A poor ground,,,,,,,,,,,,,, could actually result in your symptoms.

08-20-2006, 10:37 AM	#5
ColoQuarterH Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	Funny that you mention that! Just a couple of days ago I noticed two additional symptoms. There was a boost gauge installed in the truck before I bought it and when I started it up the other day the gauge had an alarm. I turned the truck off and restarted it...it cleared the alarm and it hasn't happened since. That same night a headlight that I had thought was burned out (and hadn't yet replaced) came back on and is still on. I'll check out your suggestion asap. Thanks!