This post is for my dad he has a 2003 f-150 5.4L auto 4 door 4x4 lariat with 170k miles and today i went to start it the engine started kicking so i put it in reverse and it continued to kick and the truck had 1/4 of a tank if that matters. so half ways down my block it stopped kicking i was thinking it was a coil b/c we have the same truck and mine did the same thing when i would start it when i had a bad coil/plug so i got on it to see if it would pop or backfire but nothing. This is a truck that's been everywhere its seen sand, mud, dust, dirt... and the check engine light inst on so i was wondering if it would be doing this because it needs a new air filter, fuel filter or injector cleaner i figured i would ask before he start spending money on something he didn't need
Thanks
Mike

 

How many miles on the plugs, and what brand are they? Have any coils ever been changed?

 

original coils i believe the plugs been changed right around 120k miles oh and i forgot to add some time pulling up to a stop light i can feel the engine kick little too.

 

Not sure what "kick" means ? Is it cutting out

Is it missing ? Some call that skipping, - but "misfiring" is what is meant.

 

Oh sorry yeah it cuts out and it will shake the engine and the truck a bit i think I'm going to unplug the coils and plug them back in maybe shes got a bad connection I HOPE.
thanks
Mike

 

Sounds like a wiring problem then, -if all eight are cutting out or close to it. Like maybe the Crank sensor harness/connector. Or CMP. It could be the battery as well.

 

I unplugged all the coil connectors and plugged them back in then i waited for 5mins then I fired her up then she ran fine even took it for a 50mile drive little freeway and city and she worked fine so I'm guessing it was a bad connection but thanks for the tips everyone
Thank
Mike