Engine Abruptly Stops January 03, 2022, 07:04:26 pm Fall 2021 I was cruising along about 20 miles north of Farmington, NM, at about 60 mph when the engine just quit. No engine check light, no unusual sounds, it just quit. I'm the first to admit that I am not a mechanic but after putting on about 100,000 miles on the Lunch Box (2006 Front Lounge) and pretty meticulous maintenance, I tend to think that I can tell the "usual" issues. This one threw me for a loop. Lights and all worked so batteries were fine, engine would turn over but not catch so I was pretty sure that the engine wasn't getting any gas. A couple of hours later I was towed into Farmington where a quick code check by the mechanic revealed something that I wasn't even aware of. In front of the passenger seat at the top of where the floor slopes up to meet the bottom of the dash there is an emergency fuel shut-off button. I had stored my accordion pleated sun screen in front of the passenger seat when I left Cortez and apparently, some how, the sun screen hit the button with enough force to shut the gas supply off. Who knew?They reset the button, all was good, and I was able to continue exploring the ancient pueblos of the Four Corners (you can read about it at thelunchboxjournals.com)I'm a bit smarter now... 12 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #1 – January 03, 2022, 10:58:35 pm I’m having trouble visualizing this button. By any chance do you have a picture?
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #2 – January 04, 2022, 01:09:17 am For pictures of the Inertia switch locale, Larry Wade has pictures in his Flickr account. E450 Inertia switch | Flickr There also should be a decal from Ford attached near the radiator in white lettering with a black background. I included a picture of my notice. My recent post about a real 'kill switch' applies. RonB 2 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #3 – January 04, 2022, 11:09:36 am Here is a short YouTube video about the Ford Inertia Switch. https://youtu.be/WDfcSAFri_QNot familiar with this device. This video is dated 9 years ago. Here is a more recent video about this switch. https://youtu.be/MTwkQYC1viYInteresting little thing.Kent 2 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #4 – January 04, 2022, 11:22:17 am Kent, wondering if our newer LD's have this switch?
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #5 – January 04, 2022, 11:31:29 am "..wondering if our newer LD's have this switch?"---Maybe check the owner's manual? Or, look in the switch locations described?
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #6 – January 04, 2022, 11:51:06 am Quote from: Joan - January 04, 2022, 11:31:29 am"..wondering if our newer LD's have this switch?"---Maybe check the owner's manual? Or, look in the switch locations described? Joan, will do as soon as our snow melts!
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #7 – January 04, 2022, 12:08:48 pm Greg, good question. Since this is a safety feature, there is a good chance the switch exists in some shape or form.
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #8 – January 04, 2022, 12:16:09 pm Check out this article for Greg’s answer.Where Did the Ford Inertia Switch Go?Kent 4 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #9 – January 04, 2022, 12:27:04 pm Thanks Kent. I seem to recall that the restraints control module is located under the driver's seat but need to verify that.
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #10 – January 04, 2022, 01:20:19 pm "The switch is activated by the restraints control module."----Oh, boy, I can sure think of a few situations for a "switch" like this! (Good find, Kent.) 1 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #11 – January 04, 2022, 01:23:04 pm Thanks Kent. I was looking for the part in RockAuto, and it stopped in 2017. Then I saw your reference; also dated 2017, so in or about that year it became a 'software' switch instead of an actual switch that could be reset manually. A quote from Kent's link: "Like it or hate it, Fords Inertia switch was still a great safety feature. But why then would Ford stop using them? The simple answer is, they haven’t. Granted modern Ford vehicles do not still use the switch with the red button, however they still utilize a fuel pump shutoff feature. The modern switch is much more accurate, so it won’t be as likely to leave someone stranded after hitting a pothole. You also cannot manually turn it on and off. The switch is activated by the restraints control module. So now, when you get a collision damaged Ford vehicle towed in that will not start, you cannot just push the reset button. Per the Ford repair manuals: “Should the vehicle shut off after a collision due to this feature, the vehicle may be restarted by first turning the ignition to the OFF position and then turn the ignition to the ON position. In some instances, the vehicle may not start the first time and may take one additional ignition cycle.”So, this safety feature is still being used, it has just evolved to become more user friendly." (I copied this quote) So Greg (HiLoLa); you really don't need to look for a switch under the seat, but the fuel pump wiring must be there somewhere, or more likely, an enable wire to the fuel pump relay. All manufacturers are trying to minimize weight due to long runs of heavy gauge copper wiring, (hence CAN-Bus). 5 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #12 – January 07, 2022, 03:09:31 pm Finally got enough snow melt to do some checking. Our 2017 doesn’t have the sticker which mentions a fuel pump shut-off switch near the radiator that Ron mentioned but it does have the Restraints Control Module under the driver seat.
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #13 – January 07, 2022, 03:23:23 pm Hi Greg; Rock Auto stopped carrying the part for 2017. That translates to the 2017 doesn't have that part. So Ford wouldn't have the sticker either. The resultant version still shuts off the fuel pump on impact, whatever the impact was. Shutting off the key switch, and restarting/resetting with the key is a better more intuitive safety measure. Thanks for the picture. Underneath my drivers seat is clear. I re-routed the seat sensor switch wire, and I have a stainless drawer there now with miscellaneous tools. RonB 1 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #14 – June 16, 2022, 06:46:03 pm While I was relocating the 12V receptacle from the glove box to the kick panel yesterday, I noticed the panel says “fuel reset” right where I mounted the receptacle. I think this must be a holdover from previous year models. My understanding is the pump is now reset as Ron described above. I did not bother to remove the panel to verify there is no button to push.
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #15 – June 17, 2022, 09:07:31 am Mine was in the Ford shop recently and they forgot to put that panel back in place. My 2021 also has the reset embossed on it. I can confirm there is nothing behind there to push as I looked carefully. 2 Likes
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #16 – June 17, 2022, 06:41:45 pm So where is it on a 2009 LD (2008 Ford)? The manual indicates it is near the pax side kick panel in a regular truck and it is in a bracket above the brake pedal on a "commercial stripped" truck. I don't see it in either area. Thanks.jor
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #17 – June 17, 2022, 09:19:10 pm Jor, you may have to remove the passenger kick panel to see it.
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #18 – June 18, 2022, 02:55:09 am The Larry Wade Project has pictures: E450 Inertia switch | Flickr RonB
Re: Engine Abruptly Stops Reply #19 – July 14, 2022, 04:16:48 pm QuoteSo where is it on a 2009 LD (2008 Ford)?That was my question re the fuel cutoff switch. Found it today. As several suggested it's behind the kick panel on the pax side. Once you are familiar with its location, you could reset it without removing the panel. Also, there is text stamped into the panel face (Fuel Reset). Here's a couple of photos.jor 2 Likes
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