I drive a 2002 F350 powerstroke diesel.  A couple of weeks ago, coming home from a barrel race, "Elmer" stalled crossing an intersection.  I was able to put him in neutral and start him back up again, and we went on our merry way.  Two days ago, he did the same thing as I pulled up to a parking space.  And again he started right up again.  Then yesterday, he was parked and running while I walked to the mailbox and he stalled again, and started right up.

I do not get any warning lights, the truck seems to be running fine and idle fine.

Any thougths as to what it could be?  He has 89K miles.  I have him in for a oil change today and they will check out the stalling.  I want to have an idea what to expect when they call me with the problem.

Could it be the alternator? Air filter? Fuel filter?

Often the CPS (cam position sensor) goes out in these Powerstrokes.  Have someone pull the codes, if that's it it will show up there.  If I remember correctly about $80 for the part if you get if from an International Dealer, a lot cheaper than from a ford shop where they run $180 or so.  Read all about it here:

http://www.forgotton.net/mods/cpsframe.html

If the truck is running perfectly one minute and just dies, it does point to the Cam position Sensor (CPS).

Ford now has a new one available for $17...I bought one last week to keep in the glovebox.

The CPS is located on the front of the engine down along the main crank pulley. Held on with a 10 mm bolt. A 15 minute fix once you know its location.

Thanks everyone for the info...  it will be interesting to hear what they report back on is the problem and the cost.  I have never gotten out of there for under $500 when i go in for an oil change.  I told them this morning NO MORE...

I sound tough don't I?

I just had the same problem, and was expecting a huge repair bill.  It was the fuel filter, I've been having my oil changed at one of the quick places and they had never changed it.   

I know of a '04 Dodge 3500 that was losing power & totally cut off 4 times in the past year.  They finally got a good diesel mechanic at the last Dodge dealer that looked at it & they replaced the crank case sensor.  The truck has been running fine since then.  They checked the fuel filter first, but the filter was clean & not the problem, even though the 3 previous dealerships tried to say that it was caused by bad fuel.

Good luck & hope you get it fixed without a large repair bill.

It was the CPS.  Welllllll....the Ford service dept said they could not get it to stall (no kidding...I told them it was sporadic)...so they think it must be the CPS.  Time will tell.  And since it was covered under warranty it cost me $100.  A little frustrated because it looks like I could have bought the part and done it myself.  But they had already done it when they called me.  Oh well.

THANKS AGAIN!!

Even though they just put a new one in, this particular part is known to be tempermental and you never know if they are going to last the lifetime of the truck or go out in two months. The next time you're at a Ford dealership, buy the $17 one for the glovebox.

When you are in the middle of nowhere and it dies, you'll thank me. Don't ask how I know.....