Hello all! I'm new to the site and I'm in need of some experienced input! I just bought my 2004 F150 5.4 in Feb. with 78,000 miles on it. I jumped in my truck on Tuesday night to go grab some grub and I only got about a half mile before she completely stalled out on me as I was coming to a stop sign. I tried turning the engine over but it wouldn't start back up. After giving it two minutes, I tried again and fired right up. Figuring it was a fluke, I drove it to the pizza shop and it seemed fine until halfway home then same thing. I was driving about 40 mph this time and the throttle just gave out when I hit the gas. I eventually got it home and started it up in the driveway to see if it would idle and the rpm's dropped dangerously low after a minute and then died. I changed the fuel filter the next evening and took it for a test drive. It seemed to run fine. I drove it back and forth from work all week with no setbacks. Then, today, it stalled at a stop light. What is wrong with my truck??? Have you heard of this issue before? Thanks to everyone in advance!

 

When was the last time you changed plugs? When you step on it does it seem bogged down?

 

Yes! It bogs down and it sometimes will surge with full power but inevitably stalls once the symptoms start. I have only owned the vehicle for 20,000 miles so I haven't looked into spark plugs yet...

 

BTW - It's the new body-style '04...not sure if it that matters or not.

 

Check for Fuel Pump codes. The Fuel Pump Driver Module is problematic on 2004-2005 trucks and will leave you dead in the water. It's located up above the spare tire and mosture gets into them causing havoc.

 

I will try to pull codes on it tomorrow morning...

 

Also check your trottle body - espically the butterfly. Mine does this every winter. I get carbon build-up just under the butterfly and it seems to stick more once the temp drops.

Take off your air intake and trottle body to get a good cleaning. Might as well clean your MAF as well. I use CRC trottle body and MAF cleaner, but any brand will do. Take a shop rag and old toothbrush to the trottle body - don't touch the MAF, only spray.

Good luck!

 

Well, I borrowed my old man's scantool. It didn't throw any codes, of course! Did cleaning the TB work for you? Any other ideas??

 

I'd look at the FPDM carefully - it's very subject to corrosion.

 

Well, when I pulled the old fuel filter out, I did notice the fuel that came out of the "input" side was completely black and gritty. I also forgot to mention that a few days before these symptoms my girlfriend drove the tank completely dry. I guess she coasted into the driveway. Is there a possibility dirt was sent through the module and caused damage?? I'm reaching here but I'm running out of ideas!

 

The FPDM is definitely worth a look...let the spare tire down and it sits on the frame on the left..quite a common problem with the 04-08 MYs

 

FPDM ???? Educate please.

EDIT: Nevermind

 

You should teach her not to do that. Very bad for the fuel filter and engine! When gas is empt it sucks up all the water that maybe in the tank.

 

I am pulling the truck indoors tomorrow after work and checking the driver module. I'm a bit skeptical because I would expect a code to show up if the module was failing. But stranger things have happened I guess. Has Ford replenished their supply or are these things still hard to come by?

 

I did throw a whole bottle of dry gas in when I finally got some more gas in tank. Should have removed any water in the fuel line.