Savannah Guy

1996 F250 Powerstroke Diesel 7.3 Manual Trans

Periodically while driving the truck will bog down just a little and change sound, and the Check Engine Light will come on - truck still drives OK, and when I stop it and restart, everything is fine and the light is off.

I hooked up a scantool tonight and it acted really weird - it connected OK but the only thing it would read was RPM, no other readings would show. When I tried to pull trouble codes (engine off, ignition on) the Wait To Start light blinked really, really slowly in no pattern I could tell. When I tried to pull trouble codes (engine idling), the Wait To Start light did the same thing but the idle speed suddenly dropped and got louder, so I shut if off right away.

This scantool works perfectly on my 1996 F150 4.9l manual, any ideas why the Diesel is acting so weird? Or do I just now know how it's supposed to act? I'm well versed with gas engine diagnostics but this is my first Diesel.

It's a 1996 Ford F250, 7.3 diesel with manual trans, 2 wheel drive.

Under the rear trans mount there is a hard rubber square thing hanging by two strong steel brackets. The brackets attach to the nuts that hold the rear trans mount to the crossmember. It appears like it could be removed without affecting anything, and nothing is nearby. What the heck is this thing? If it is not stock does anyone know an aftermarket gizmo this could have been part of that was removed before I purchased the truck? Here are two pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53498031@N00/54626815...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53498031@N00/54632826...

Thanks! It's driving me nuts.