Have 94 f150 sb , 4.9l straight 6, dual tanks. 177k miles. After turning soft 90degree corner, motor stalled(not sure if the two are related). While attempting to restart, small amount of smoke (Definate electrical smell) came from the steering column area and the upper left dash where it meets the windshield. Engine cranks strongly, all dash lights and accessories still work. Can hear both fuel pumps working. Haven't check for fuel pressure or spark yet. Have instrument cluster out. Don't SEE any signs of burned wires. Plan on replacing headlight switch and abs clockspring while dash is torn apart. Any suggesstions on what area to start in about wire issue would be greatly appreciated.

 

Might want to look at the Ignition Switch or its Plug.
Also check for a bad fuse and if you find one find out what system it is for and look at that system.

 

Fuses looked good, don't have a diagram for power distribution box to check relays, appreciate the info about ign. switch. I'll start there. Thanks again

 

The '94 F150 with 5.0 that I recently sold to my Nephew did this as well, and it turned out to be the distributor module, it shut down on him on the highway.
Question: when you saw/smelled the smoke were you cranking and cranking and cranking the engine?? may have gotten the ignition switch hot from all that, if you've visually checked all your wireing and fuses and it will still crank over you should be OK in that area.
Might want to get your truck to an auto parts store that can read codes, or a shop that you trust that can.

 

I never cranked longer than 10 seconds, at any time. Not sure if the smoke is related to the stalling or the cranking. didn't last long. Will try code reading next. Thanks so much.

 

You can read any codes yourself with a paper clip. Go to fordfuelinjection.com for instructions.

 

Ricky
You are not the only one with this problem. My '92, 4.9L, manual quit on the way home from work and hasnt started yet. Several guys have reported on this phenomenon, Some guys that have had bad disributer pick ups are able to get the trucks re-started. I checked everthing and replaced the dist and still wont start. I dont want to put more in the truck than what its worth.
Two weeks before it died the rebuilt alternator ( 4th rebuilt since new) started on fire. I got another rebuilt alternator and a harness from the junk yard which worked ok. I wonder if the last burning alternator shorted something out in the computer or ICM. Autozone tested the ICM and says its good. I got spark and fuel and with the rebuilt distributer it coughs through the intake but wont start.
Will check the junk yard today for another ICM or computer.

 

does your truck have a third fuel pump on the frame rail?

we had a problem with a truck, both in tank pumps worked, but the booster pump on the frame rail went out..

the pumps in the tank are low pressure pumps, the third pump is higher pressure

 

EXTRARED,
It sounds like you have a timing problem, pull out the SPOUT and move the distributor until it runs and set the timing with the light and then put the SPOUT back in and check advancement.
Make sure the rotor is pointing at number one on compression before you start.

 

Still can't find burnt wire. got equipmnt to read codes and test fuel pressure. will do today. replaced fuel filter, pressure regulator over the weekend. Engines tries to start when starting fluid is sprayed into plenum. gonne concentrate on fuel system depending on code results.

 

AzBlueWolf: looked...no third pump...according to haynes, 1990 and later models use fuel delivery module in each tank. still fuel related i think. Thanks for info.

 

Yes you only have the in tank pumps inside the fuel delivery module (FDM).

You say they both run. Do they come on as soon as the key is turned on and run all the time the key is on with the engine not running?
Can you get that code reader to work or does it seem like the reader does not work?
If pump says on and the reader will not work then I would say take out your PCM Computer and see if it smells burnt.

I think you may have let the smoke out of it.
If so you can not put the smoke back in it and you will have to get another one with the smoke still in it.

 

yes, when switching from tank to tank, either pump continues to run with engine off. fuel pressure is 49lbs for the front, 56lbs for the rear. will check the pcm for smoke leakage. I know enough about vehicles to be dangerous, but i'm confused as to why it would seem to want to start when spraying starting fluid in to the plenum if the pcm is cooked.

 

never mind last question about cooked pcm. I didn't take the time to think about it

 

when pcm goes bad a classic sign is the fuel pumps keep running.

time to replace pcm.