I have a 97 f-150 with a 5.4L. At about 30,000 miles it started to stumble when accelerating and now even at normal driving speed. The check engine light comes on and even starts to blink. I changed the fuel filter on advice from people with an issue of stumbling. I had a local mechanic look at it using an OBD II tester which read incomplete. He then suggested taking to a ford dealer. What's Up?

 

I would take it ta a dealer, I know that the 5.4's had a problem with coolant dripping from the heater hose onto #4 coil at the spark plug. the result was a misfire under load [i.e acceleration] this usually sets a dtc po304 in the pcm. the fix is to tighten the hose clamp and add another one for safety. then u need to replace the coil pack. ford has a TSB out on this...if the check engine light comes on a code is set in memory and will only go away after 72 key cycles with out a reoccurance of the problem. this is only a guess but it may help.... good luck

 

you could try doing a tune up(spark plugs, plug wires...). but if youre still under warranty, then might as well take it to a dealersip and let them figure out whats wrong. good luck!

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1989 F-150 XLT Lariat: 2WD 5spd 5.0[*]3" Body Lift[*]33x12.50.15 BFG on 15x10 AR Rims[*]Rancho Steering Stabilizer[*]Rancho RS 5000 Shocks[*]K&N Air Filter[*]Flowmaster cat-back dual exhaust

 

Yeah, it sounds like an ignition problem. I had the same thing happen to mine. It would stumble all the time and after 10-20 mins the "check engine" light would blink. Come to find out, one of my spark plug wires came loose. You definitely need to have it checked out, if not, you risk melting your cats or worse, killing your engine.

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98 Nascar Edition


Homepage (Needs Updating)

Powerdyne Supercharger w/9psi, Superchip, Autometer Boost Gauge and Pod, K&N Filter, TransGo Performance Shift Kit, 295/65-16 Eagle GTII Tires, Flowmaster 40 series exhaust, Taylor 8mm wires And Bosch Plantinum Spark Plugs, TPS Mod, Gutted MAF, 4.10 Rear End Gears, XTRA Bright Halogen Lights, Amsoil Series 2000 Synthetic 0w-30 Motor Oil, Tinted Windows, Belltech 2 inch rear drop, G-Tech Pro Series II, Bedliner, 100w driving lights, Aftermarket stereo stuff w/ custom bandpass box, Cobra 75WXST CB Radio, Little Wilson Antenna, and some other stuff I can’t remember




[This message has been edited by jackhel (edited 03-18-2001).]

 

HI!... I've had the same "STUMBLE" a few times. What it ended up being on my truck, is that because I'm running a open air cleaner element, some oil had got stuck to the MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, and another time it was a bit of cotton fuzz from mt K&N filter. All I did was remove the sensor from the meter housing and spray WINDEX on a "Q"-tip and carefully clean both sensors. That cured my problem both times it happened.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

HI!... SUPERDAVE666 : I was wondering if you can help me out, since you work at a FORD dealership, I think? I came home last night at about 1:30A.M. My truck was running perfectly fine when I shut it off. Today at 4:00P.M, I went out to my truck to go some where, when it would'nt start. It just kept turning over with the "THEFT" light flashing. I thought it might be my PATS key and used my spare, same thing, just turned over but would'nt start. I took my MAF sensor apart and cleaned it. After re-installing the MAF it started right up and ideled fine. As I was putting my tools back in my toolbox, the truck started to studder with the idle reving and almost stalling. It finall stalled. It would'nt start again, just turn over. I used the digital odometer trouble code detecter and came up with 4 codes. I then disconnected the negative battery termanal and pulled the light switch and let it sit for 30 minutes. After hooking the battery back up, it fired right up and now runs great. It idles fine and now shows NO trouble codes after turning it off and on several times. My question to you is : Can you tell me what the following trouble codes mean?

* D147
* D262
* D073
* A139

This is how the codes showed up on my digital odometer screen when running in diagnostic mode. Now it reads DTC NONE. Any help on this would be great, thanks.

 

Neal, I will look in the DTC library on my NGS at work tomorrow but those seem like odd codes, most ford codes are 4 digit, i.e P0302
P being powertrain or pcm. if your anti-theft light was flashing fast then it was most likely a PATS key problem, As far as the maf sensor, the best way to quickly test it is to just unplug the eletrical connector and try to start it again, it should start if that is the problem. Are you using the original Key or a duplicate pats key? A lot of times if u try to start it with a faulty key it cancels out all the keys..if you let it sit for a predetermined amount of time the original key will start the vehicle. The best thing to do would be to reprogram all the keys. You need two programmed keys and then follow the owners manual for adding extra keys..which is... cycle each programmed key for 3 seconds and then cycle the new unprogrammed key[s]. In my opinion the whole PATS system is a poor design and we have a lot of trouble with it.
On the Heads, I had a 4.6 expedition 2000 apart today and compared it to my 99 PI 5.4 heads.. it looks like it will bolt right up, the 4.6 head gasket matched perfectly, there is a big difference in the combustion chamber design, but I dont know if the volume of the chamber is different. I looked up specs in the manual and the winsdor head is in metric and the romeo is in standard measurment..so I need to do a conversion and I ran out of time. The cam gears are both 42 teeth and look to be compatable between chains, the 5.4 chain is of course longer but the timing mark on the gear looked the same. The real concern is the shape of the intake ports where the manifold bolts to the head...i need to figure out which gasket to run 5.4 or 4.6. We dont want any intake leaks here. Fortunately for me I may be doing a Swap of supercrews to one with a 5.4 thanks to a connection, so I may not do this head swap but it is fun doing the math....any way talk to ya later.
{yes I do work at a dealership, so I guess some people want to shoot me for that LOL]
Dave

 

HI!... SUPERDAVE666 : Thanks for your responce. I thought about the same thing regaurding the "PATS" keys. When I was having a problem with the truck not starting, I tried to use my 2ND "PATS" key, with the same effect. It's been two days now, and the truck still runs fine since I dis-connected the battery. Thanks again.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

Neal, those codes are not good codes, they should start with a P[powertrain} C[chassis] B[body] or a U[undefined]. also there should be 4 numerals after the code. How did u retrieve these codes? did u go through the OBDII connector? were they in the PCM or other modules???
PS>>> how do u like those 4.10 gears and how did it affect your milage...what rpm are u turning at say...75 mph????

 

HI!... SUPERDAVE666 : I got the codes by using the trucks ob board diagnostic mode through the digital odometer. You hold the trip odometer button in and turn the key forward to the "ON" but not START position. Wait about 25 seconds and the word "TEST" will appear. As soon as it appears, let go of the button as fast as you can. Then simply press it again and again to look through the diagnostic codes. I beleive there is 37 all together. Try it on your truck to see for your self. It's kind of hard to explain. I found this little trick one day 2 years ago when I was cleaning my dash. As for the 4.10 gears, I love them. They should come from the factory like this. I'm not sure since my speedo is off because of the gears, but I think I'm pushing about 2300RPM at 75MPH. I don't know about fuel milage because I don't really care about it. The way I look at it, if the tank is empty, fill it up!LOL! All I know is that I can go 450KMS and only use less than half a tank of gas.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP, BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS.


FUTURE MODS : FORD SVT 24LB INJECTORS, CUSTOM SUPERCHIP FLIP-CHIP, BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, SHM "RACE WATER PUMP, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150, LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 330H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 15.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon RCI fuel cell,etc

 

Thanks superdave666, it was the #4 coil pack causing my stumbling problem with my 5.4L . To bad Ford makes it so hard to service the spark plugs.

 

Neal, I believe that what you did when you accessed those codes is do a self test on the instrument cluster. the instrument cluster has its on processor in it and that is how u diag a problem with the odometer or speedo. Those codes are probably eroneous codes, if you are not having a problem everything is probably ok. When the instrument cluster has a problem. it usually reads "error" at the digital odometer display. To get powertrain dtc's you need to access the dlc [data link connector] under the dash right under the steering column. A scan tool is needed here. On vehicles [not f150's} with EATC [electronic auto temp control} ac systems, u access trouble codes the same way...you hit the buttons in a sequence and it spits out codes via the a/c control display. If your PATS system is giving you problems..it usually blinks real fast at the "theft" light in the instrumant cluster. THe DTC's are set in the Passive Anti theft Module usually, it varies from vehicle to vehicle, Ford can never make up there mind which module controls what but they are all multiplexed with each other so they communicate with each other. OH, on your speedo being off....It can be calibrated electronically through the DLC with a WDS> IF you have friends with a ford dealer see if they can help you out there. I am planning on the 4:10 gears myself..I am currently working on a dal to trade my 4.6 screw for one with a 5.4, the 4.6 is ok [power improved] but it is nothing compared to a 5.4, plus my milage is only about 1/2 mpg better than the 5.4. LAter....
Dave

 

superdave666,

If you trade trucks, would you consider selling the heads? Are they complete with cams? I suspect that the volume of the PI head combustion chamber is the same as the 4.6. Reason being is that in 97-98 both 4.6 and 5.4 used the same head with 52cc combustion chamber. If the volume changed on the Pi heads then the CR would have changed. I believe what they did was to move the center line of the valves back to unshroud them.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

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00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Headman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips

 

HI!... SUPERDAVE666 : Thanks for the reply. I did'nt know about the ODOMETER diagnostic mode just being for the cluster. As for my speedo correction. I have had my truck in to my dealers 8 times to get the speedo corrected. The computer technition there told me that the computer in my truck is pre-set at calibration for 3.55 gears and will physically will not calibrate higher. After spending a total of 12 hours of trying to recalibrate it, my dealer told me it could not be done. I don't care, I got MIKE T. to recalibrate my speedo with my new "FLIP-CHIP.

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NEAL " THE H.P FREAK" E-MAIL :nnewman@sympatico.ca
'99' F-150 XLT SPORT, oxford white, reg cab shortbox stepside,5.4, auto, 4.10L.S, captain's chairs, bedliner, GTS carbon fiber headlight covers, ***** CEPECK clear halogen driving lights, GTS slotted tailight covers (painted oxford white), fiberglass smooth wiper cowl (painted OXFORD WHITE), FORD locking lug nuts, tinted windows,true duel exhaust with 2.5 inch mandrel bent pipes and FLOWMASTER 3 chamber mufflers with 3' tailpipes exiting before the rear wheel like the LIGHTNING, HELLWIG rear stabalizer bar, 3 AUTOMETER guage pods, filled with tranny temp, engine temp, and oil preasure AUTOMETER "PHANTOM" guages,custom fabricated air intake trac and huge K/N filter, TPS mod, BELLTECH 2-inch rear drop, custom programed SUPERCHIP "FLIP-CHIP", BAUMANN ENGINEERING shift kit (on stage 5 setting)BYPASS CLUTCH CONTROL VALVE/PREASURE REGULATOR VALVE, ASP POWER PULLEYS, custom tig welded and ported JBA "JET BLACK coated headers, twin DERALE 16 INCH ELECTRIC FANS, PERMA COOL 14"/10" tranny cooler with 10" electric fan, custom ported (STOCK) throttle body, custom digital air intake temp sensor, custom ported TB intake elbow, relocated ATS, FORD RACING 24LB injectors, RUSSELL stainless steel braided tranny lines with fittings.


FUTURE MODS : BBK 75MM THROTTLE BODY, 80MM PRO-M MASS AIR METER, AADI F1 RAM AIR HOOD WITH CUSTOM FABRICATED RAM AIR SET-UP, CAL-TRAC TRACTION BARS, EXTRUDE HONED INTAKE MANIFOLD, SHM CUSTOM FUEL RAILS, 90/10 FRONT CE SHOCKS, 70/30 REAR CE SHOCKS, BELL TECH 2/4 DROP, EXPEDITION CENTER CONSOLE, HARLEY DAVISON F-150 LOWER FRONT VALANCE (painted oxford white) and a KENNE BELL BLOWZILLA SUPERCHARGER.

ESTIMATED H.P TO DATE : 340H.P / 425ft/lbs of torque.

CURRENT PERFORMANCE : 1/4 MILE - 14.53E.T * MPH - 93.00 * 0-60MPH - 5.8 * 1/8 MILE - 9.2 * 60 FT - 2.0

OTHER TOYS : "83" PRO STREET FORD RANGER : 351-w stroked to 408c.i 625H.P (natural), 875H.P with 250H.P "BIG SHOT" N.O.S kit, tubbed (crome moly tubing), 12 point chrome moly roll cage, 4-link with coil overs, MUSTANG II front suspension, c-4 tranny (race prepped), 4000rpm stall converter(8 INCH), 3" chrome moly driveshaft,AUTOMETER guages, 16.50 MICKEY THOMPSON rear tires, 4" M/T front tires, CENTERLINE CON-VO PRO rims, fiberglass hood - bumper - prostock hood scoop, wishbone trac-link, two chrome moly driveshaft loops, 16 gallon JAZ fuel cell,etc

 

JMC, sorry on the heads another Tech here at the shop already has claim on them, he is building an old panel van and installing a 4.6 that he aquired from a totaled police car...... As far as the combustion chamber goes, I believe they are the same size, just like you said, configured different to account the larger valves, I dont see ford changing the compression ratio and still recommending 87 octane, I will give u an answer on that shortly.
Neal... the flip chip sounds likethe way to go...I think maybe on the older [1999 and back] trucks that maybe the speedo cant be calibrated..I know my 2001 you can only calibrate up to 3.55 [actually there is one for 3.56...basically the same thing] and down to 3.08 [higher gear ratio]....but they offer about 50 different tire and wheel combinations so if you calibrate to the smallest diameter tire with the lowest gear ratio..that gets you as close to what u would need for a 4.10....what size tires do u have?? I am interested in the flip chip also, does it "ping" a lot w/o high octane fuel?? I am also debating on dual flowmasters or a single dual stage flowmaster with twin exits...3" what do u think??? of course I will retain the K&N gen II filter kit for the 5.4. se ya later!