Ford Repair: Engine Stalling, distributer cap, air control valve


Question
I have a 1986 F-150 5.0L 302 with Auto transmission that was running fine up until a few days ago, when I was on the freeway and the engine just died. It had plenty of fuel. I got it re-started after a few minutes and it seemed to be ok. The next day it did it again only it wouldn't re-start. I had it towed home and found that it wasn't getting spark to the cylinders. I replaced the distributer cap, rotor and coil and it started up just fine and seemed to run ok. This morning it died going into the parking lot of my work. It started right back up and I got it into a parking space where it started ideling erratically, almost dying to coming back up to speed, over and over again. I was thinking MAP sensor or the ECM on the side of the distributer. Does this sound right?

Answer
Your current problem seems to be a dirty idle air control valve, or MAP sensor as you asked. My question is this, did it stop dying after replacing the other parts? My guess is that you should be able to clean the idle air control valve and throttle body where you are. Find some rubbing alcohol and put it on a cotton towel or old shirt. Use some elbow grease and remove the carbon deposits. It sounds to me, that you needed a good tune up and got most of it, now you need to knock it home. On the way home, stop at the parts store and buy a fuel filter, and a can of air intake and throttle body cleaner.