1988 D150 just quits after it warms up

[Creeker7]

I bought a 1988 D150 for my 16yr old son, 90k original miles, in fantastic condition,
it was parked in 2012 (stored in a barn) when the original owner passed away. It has a 318 engine, the problem is that after driving it about 10 minutes it just quits like you turned the key off and has to cool off some to restart. Please give me some ideas to run down. Thank toy.

 

[Vne182]

Pull a spark plug next time and see if it's still making spark when turning over. It sounds like a bad ignition coil. I'm not familiar with the 1988 ignition system but you could also take a look at the distributor, see what's going on there. It may need new points or maybe it's been converted to digital ignition and something is loose?
A new distributor for that truck should be less than $75 a digital conversion kit with a new distributor is dang cheap too: https://www.jegs.com/i/Proform/778/...MIobrRwMyl5AIVgrfsCh2B5gozEAQYAiABEgJPxvD_BwE

 

[Vne182]

Also, check out this complete kit too: https://www.ebay.com/p/Mopar-273-31...MIobrRwMyl5AIVgrfsCh2B5gozEAQYBCABEgI90PD_BwE

 

[Creeker7]

Sorry bout that, I should've prefaced my message with... I have installed new wires, plugs, dizzy cap, rotor button, ignition coil, battery, ASD relay.
Any suggestions?

 

[Creeker7]

Sorry bout that, I should've prefaced my message with... I have installed new wires, plugs, dizzy cap, rotor button, ignition coil, battery, ASD relay.
Any suggestions?

 

[McBroom]

Sounds like the ballast resistor is going out ($5)


The Blue Mule

 

[Creeker7]

What and where is the ballast resistor?

 

[McBroom]

It’s located on the firewall should be a ceramic block about 2.5” long with 1 wire on each end.
These can go bad for no apparent reason. It has to do with the distributor.


The Blue Mule

 

[Creeker7]

Blue Mule
Do you have a picture or diagram of where?

 

[McBroom]

https://www.google.com/search?q=dod...KHXiHCLsQ_AUoAnoECBAQAg&biw=375&bih=512&dpr=3


The Blue Mule

 

[crazzywolfie]

there is no ballast resister. it is built into a coil on a 88 or should be if you bought the correct replacement coil.

what about the hall effects sensor in the distributor? was is replaced?

 

[Creeker7]

I have not replace Hall effect sensor
Could that be the cause??

 

[crazzywolfie]

since it shuts off like you just turned the key off i doubt it but it sounded like you were throwing parts at it anyways. it almost sounds like the pcm might be going bad but i don't know if there is any way to troubleshoot that and they are not cheap.

 

[DodgeTx]

I second the pcm option, or possibly fuel pump.

On a newer ram I had similar issues, only it would stop at random, replaced the fuel pump for good measure and then replaced pcm when that didnt fix it.

Hope you get it going those are some great trucks! and can last forever!

 

[crazzywolfie]

i think the fuel pump is less likely to just kill the engine like you just shut off the key. the TBI only requires 15psi to run so it is more likely to act it is running out of fuel a bit before it just shut off if the pump was the issue.

 

[Creeker7]

I did replace the PCM back earlier in the summer, no luck, same symptoms
It cost me about $215
No hard to change
It is just behind the battery
I thought about the fuel pump too
But as crazywolfe mentioned I think it would start acting like it is running out of gas instead of immediate shutoff
Thoughts???

 

[crazzywolfie]

have you checked for spark when it shuts off but won't restart?