Hi, my 1989 b150 318 approx 125,000km owned since new has been cutting out on me. It happens at anytime while driving or idling but am always able to start it again. Sometimes right away and sometimes after sitting and waiting a few minutes.

I'm thinking it's the main control box, but i don't know where to start...just found this site and thought i would post this for some thoughts. It's very scarey having the van cut out at anytime, usually starts again right away but not always.

This started about a week ago and happens daily.

 

Most likely cause is a clogged fuel filter, second the electronic ignition module. If you want to confirm, check and see if you have spark the next time it happens and won't start right away. If there is spark change the fuel filter, if there's no spark, change the ignition module.

 

I changed out the ECU and things seem good so far. In the instructions it says to check the resistance of any solenoids and to replace them if they are under 20 ohms. The only one i could find was the one for the idle control, are there any others?

Thanks for your help .

 

Hi again, i changed the ECU and the fuel filter and the problem is still happening. Now i'm thinking it might be the fuel pump sock is all clogged? Very frustrating indeed [&:].

 

What about the crankshaft position sensor, have you tested it?

 

The van was running perfectly for 2 days andnow this morning the engine cut out on me 6 times on the way to work [:@]. I have not checked the crankshaft position sensor yet. How do you do that, and would that cause the engine to just suddenly cut out intermittently?
BTW thanks for the suggestions .

 

Yes it is one of the many items that can cause an intermittent cut-out. To make matters worse you do not get a trouble code or engine light for a bad crank sensor. I had a similar cut-out problem and it was the crank sensor ($40).

 

Thanks, is the crank sensor accessable easily? Ifso i will buy and install today.

 

Once you pull the engine cowl, it's right there on top where the engine and tranny bolt together. Two bolts and one 3-wire connector and you're done.

 

The 1989 b150 ram van 5.2L doesn't come with a crank position sensor. That started with the 1990 model, but i'm going to pull off the cowl and have a look right now just incase...