Hey everyone,

First off I'm posting this from my iPhone so I apologize for any auto-correct mishaps.

I'm currently en route from Des Moines to Kalamazoo.

On my way out my truck started bucking. It felt like the wheels were slipping then the LS was engaging. This happened a couple times before I pulled over to check the truck out. Oil and trans fluid were both WNL. I opted to continue and the truck ran fine for about 5 miles. The bucking started again and the truck stalled out. I tried starting it again and it sputtered and stalled again. I called AAA to get a tow truck and waiting on hold and let the truck rest for about 15 min. When AAA informed me that there was a "tow ban" for the area I was in, I decided to give the truck one more chance. The truck fired up and right away and has been running great for the past hour.

I have no CELs, all gauges WNL, got my fuel from a big name gas station in Des Moines, and all maintainence has been performed on time.

The truck is a completely stock 04 f150 with 78,000 miles. FX4, 5.4L. Plugs and cam phasers have not been changed.

Any thoughts? Things I should get checked out when im in MI? This exact same thing happened with my old 2005 f150 with a 4.6L.

 

My truck did exactly what you're describing last summer and it was the Fuel Pump Control Module. They get so corroded that they break.....get a little moisture in there and it's over.

 

Well it shut down again twice so I'm now at a ford dealer in Iowa City. After some more research I think you're right Tailrace. Hopefully this is something they can swap out and get me back on the road.

 

Yep, seems like it's the FPDM. Drop the spare and unbolt the module to check it out. They're really easy to replace. You should just buy one from the dealer and do it yourself to save labor costs.

 

If it wasn't snowing and 20* I would have

Just heard from the shop, it's the FPDM, should be back on the road within the hour

 

Understandable. Glad it was an easy fix.

 

Good to hear ....hopefully you don't get hosed too bad on a $60 part from rock auto.....but unavoidable stuff does happen while you're on the road that puts you in the hands of others....

 

A couple of things you might want to get done pretty soon is a plug chage and clean the throttle body. Oh, and clean the MAF.

 

Thanks for the tips bluejay,

Plug change is next on the agenda. Still debating on if I'm going to try and tackle it myself or just suck it up and get a garage to do it. I'm currently living in an apartment down town and I park in an open parking lot, so not the best place to do some repairs.

The FPDM was painful but thankfully I just got paid. The truck is running like a champ. Just picked up the trailer today and I'm heading back to DSM on Friday. Hopefully we have a smooth trip back.