I have a 1989 Ford F150 straight 6 pick up truck that dies when it gets warm. When it cools off it starts and runs fine until it warms up again. It runs fine in the winter. What's wrong?

Disconect the capacitor at the distributor and it will run OK. Its a noise surpressor for the radio.
J D Smith
770-474-5102

If the vehicle doesn't have spark after it has died, the most common cause for this problem is a faulty ignition control module. On your truck, this small plastic part will be mounted on the side of the distributor. It has a wiring harness attatched to it.

You will need a special tool for this, called a distributor module tool, any parts store should have one. Remove the module and have it tested before you replace it, just in case that's not the problem, since electrical parts are not usually returnable.

Make sure it's tested several times, as many as 15 is good. Often times ignition modules will test good until they have been warmed up.

There is a slight possibility that your vehicle has been retrofitted with a remote mounted module. If the distributer appears to be missing a part, look along the firewall for a finned aluminum box with a plastic part mounted in it.

You can check for spark first by grounding an ignition wire on the block and having a helper turn the key while you watch for spark, however, you should find someone to show you how to do this if you haven't done it before.

if it runs fine in the winter time why would you be checking the pickup module???????lol sounds like you have a over heating problem have your had the radiator flushed??? have you checked the thermostat to see if its sticking???one way to check it is by running the vehicle till warm with the radiator cap off then see if the water coolant is flowing...also try checking the temp sensor if its going out it shuts the engine down to prevent over heating there fore causing damage to your engine....