1997 Ford F-350 Consumer Discussions

Ford F-Series Powerstroke Diesel Problems

• Re: 1997 FORD F-350 7.3 L NEED HELP!! [daveh13]

  Written by: younceb5 on May 5, 2011 8:06:25 AM

  Thanks all for your help. It was towed back to the mechanic on Monday and I have advised him of your suggestions for him to check. Thanks again.

• Re: 1997 FORD F-350 7.3 L NEED HELP!! [younceb5]

  Written by: rodesigner on Apr 29, 2011 1:05:52 PM

  You still have a good truck. Had the same problem. Check/clean the electrical connectors under the valve covers and if that doesn't fix it check the computer module that controls the injectors.

• Re: 1997 FORD F-350 7.3 L NEED HELP!! [younceb5]

  Written by: daveh13 on May 3, 2011 4:01:19 PM

  I have worked on many of these with similar problems. 1 Injector Driver Module (IDM) located on LF inner fender behind wheel between firewall and inner fender. Very dumb place. 2 Poor fuel and/or contaminated fuel tanks. This will cause pre-mature failure of the filter. 3 Loose electrical connections under the vale cover. The Valve cover gasket actually has a connections mlded into it. I have discovered these to be loose ... Read More

• Re: 1997 FORD F-350 7.3 L NEED HELP!! [younceb5]

  Written by: bigbird6403 on Apr 29, 2011 4:46:57 PM

  i had problem with my 97 truck shuting off and it turned out to be the ipr.it would start back up after it cooled for a bit.you can check the pressure by putting a gage in one of the ports in the head under the valve cover.you will also loose pressure if you have any bad o rings on your injectors.

• 1997 FORD F-350 7.3 L NEED HELP!!

  Written by: younceb5 on Apr 29, 2011 12:33:35 PM

  Bought '97 Ford F-350 7.3 L Powerstroke diesel in September. Bought from original owner - with all his paperwork and all repair bills. Thought I was getting a good truck. Had to replace the transmission not long after ($2800.00); since then nothing but a nightmare. Truck was cutting out on me while driving all the time and leaving me stranded. Have replaced the camshaft position sensor at least five times. Latest ... Read More

• Need help.

  Written by: bubby50 on May 28, 2011 8:44:56 PM

  1997 f350 7.3 5spd man has 159 k miles. 4dr 4x4... bought it a few weeks ago and now its giving me problems... i dont know much about dsl engines, a few days ago i was going down the road and it just died...tried starting it , finally got it started... drove it a few more miles no prob....the next couple days it would just die going down the road....i replaced ... Read More

• 1997 Ford F-350 dies while driving and wait to start flickers

  Written by: dabroketruck on Oct 21, 2010 2:41:37 PM

  Hi, I have a 1997 7.3 Diesel F-350 crew cab truck. I have a problem with it. At times it will die out while i am driving and won't start back up. The "wait to start" will flicker inconsistently and the second relay on the driverside under the hood clicks with the flickering of the light. In this relay area there are four relays that are all the same so i ... Read More

• 1997 Ford F-350 dies while driving and wait to start flickers

  Written by: dabroketruck on Oct 21, 2010 2:41:32 PM

  Hi, I have a 1997 7.3 Diesel F-350 crew cab truck. I have a problem with it. At times it will die out while i am driving and won't start back up. The "wait to start" will flicker inconsistently and the second relay on the driverside under the hood clicks with the flickering of the light. In this relay area there are four relays that are all the same so i ... Read More

Ford F-Series 4x4 Problems

• Re: 1997 ford f-150 4x4 problem [rummel]

  Written by: f350man on Jan 10, 2010 6:58:20 PM

  wondering if you solved your problem. cuz i have the same thing happening to me on my 04/f350

Ford F-Series Real World MPG Numbers

• Re: Older Ford F-350 question [gmacy]

  Written by: hazmatchuck on Dec 30, 2009 8:35:00 PM

  Hello, I have the same 1997 truck (mine only has 87,000 miles) and it is a 4 door with the 460 engine...it has always been around 10 mpg or maybe 11 if truck is empty. I have owned it since 1999 and now this year it gets 4mpg and maybe 5 mpg if I really baby it along and dont idle at all in cold weather...what is the deal? did you ... Read More

Ford F-Series Powerstroke Diesel Problems

• Re: trans swap [chilly94]

  Written by: bjpetersonco on Nov 13, 2009 7:01:59 PM

  I am doing just the opposite, 1997 Ford F350 5 spd to a e40d trans and have the same problems. I have been told that the pcm thinks it is still a stick trans and need to replace it with a new processer so it thinks it is now a auto trans. This might help you too.

Ford F-Series Transmission Problems

• TRANNY TROUBLE

  Written by: ram1948 on Jun 11, 2009 4:54:42 PM

  I have a 1997 Ford F-350 powerstroke 7.3 with an automatic transmission and it started with the O. D. light on the shift lever, blinking on and off. it would shift very hard so I would disconnect ground wire from battery and reset it. After that it would run and shift just great. This went on for about a year without incident , and then it would do it more and ... Read More

Ford F-Series Rough Idle/Vibration Problems

• Re: ford f350 violent shaking [f250beast]

  Written by: j2go on Mar 5, 2007 8:26:06 PM

  Hi, I just bought a used 2005 and have encountered this shaking only at low speeds so far. Is there a chance you may be able to get the tech service bulletin # from the dealer. I took it to a front end shop that we take our work trucks to and they could not figure it out. I am mostly interested in the steering box "adjustment". I will do the ... Read More

Ford F-Series Powerstroke Diesel Problems

• Re: 1997 ford f-350 7.3 powerstroke ( no compression ) [ponygirlh9]

  Written by: cowboy9 on Jul 12, 2008 1:09:14 PM

  Hey Pony, Sorry but kind of lost in your email, how long was the motor sitting for ? And let me get this right you are putting a motor out of a 99 into the 97 right ? I it may be the Computer not work with it, I know they are pretty much the same motor but they are Different. Tony

• 1997 ford f-350 7.3 powerstroke ( no compression )

  Written by: ponygirlh9 on Jul 12, 2008 10:22:16 AM

  Hello all, i am at my witts end, i have owned this truck for about 2 yrs now, have always started right up, well i bought a 99-250 and let dually set up about 2 months now it will not start, turns over, getting fuel , but no compression to fire off, I had one fellow tell me to put oil in engione because the rings have dried up, and they ... Read More

Ford F-Series Transmission Problems

• Re: 1997 Ford F350 tranny problem [thurman54]

  Written by: cowboy9 on Mar 27, 2008 6:23:29 PM

  Hello Thurman, If you are plowing and have a Dump bed on it and it's never been replaced or rebuilt I am shocked the Transmission has lasted that long. I put a post last week about where to go for Ford Diesel Parts and even a Guy here in Denver, Colorado about having our Trannys rebuilt, the shipping cost for you to ship yours here and get one back might cost ... Read More

• 1997 Ford F350 tranny problem

  Written by: thurman54 on Mar 27, 2008 12:19:41 PM

  I have a 1997 Ford F350 dump truck that is having some transmission problems - it's an automatic. I purchased the truck in September 07 with 95,000 miles. Before winter I had the transmission flushed. I use the truck for hauling and snow plowing. While plowing, I began having trouble with the truck not shifting out of 1st gear after it got hot - I was going up a hill after ... Read More

Ford F-250 Owners

• Re: Ford F-250: Owner's Hangout [pf_flyer]

  Written by: fordisthebest1 on Mar 23, 2008 9:43:44 PM

  I would get the 7.3 in a 1999, best mpg and the 6.0 is crap. I have a 1999 F-350 crewcab 4x4 and I average 20-22 on the highway and 16-17 in town, without a chip. 1999 has only had one recall and is a hell of smother the a 1997 and down.

Ford F-Series Real World MPG Numbers

• 99-05 F350 DRW Mileage ? Help

  Written by: rpsmith1 on Feb 6, 2008 8:08:03 PM

  Hello, Just Joined, and I need some help. What I have now: 1997 Ford F250 SD 4X4, 460 V8 (rebuilt 30K ago), Auto (rebuilt 20K ago), rearend gears Unknown, shortbox, extended Cab, 35" Tires, 6" lift, Airbags. 8-9.5 MPG, empty, loaded, or pulling Horse Trailer with 2 Horses, and loaded with Camping Gear. Paid for. What I want to do: More Mileage (Hauling Horses to Montana with current Rig is $600 ... Read More

2008 Ford Super Duty

• Re: Problems, [mschmal]

  Written by: bigcountry1 on Oct 21, 2007 1:57:32 PM

  Bull S### I baby my 2008 F450 w/ 4:88 gears and only get 8mpg. My 1997 F350 4:10 gears 7.3L provided 18 to 19 mpg, 2006 F350 4:10 gears 6.0L provided about the same. 2008 7-8 mpg with no load. Please Ford, I'm a loyal customer but what the H##l. Note: In 1997 I was paying .96 per gal. for fuel. 2007 3.29 per gal for fuel. Anyone want to Buy ... Read More

Ford F-Series Powerstroke Diesel Problems

• Ford F350 oil leak

  Written by: tader on Aug 15, 2007 10:48:00 AM

  I have got a 1997 Ford F350 7.3 LTR Power Stroke. I have got a major oil leak it seams to be coming from the back of the oil pan where it goes around the crank shaft. This gasket is a dealer item only. My question is to replace this gasket does the motor have to be taken out to get the oil pan off or is there an easier way? ... Read More