Hi guys - I'm new to the forums but have been loving all the good info! I'm interested in lifts, suspension, bigger tires, getting dirty, aftermarket upgrades, etc...and all your comments have been tremendously helpful. I figure I have a truck that's paid for, I might as well have some fun right???

Anyway - my engine light just came on and I had AutoZone run their diagnostic machine on it. They said I need a new throttle body assembly, which is roughly $224 for the part, and then it has to be re-programmed by a shop, which is another $100 or so. The guy I was working with (really helpful) said I could run sea foam through my gas tank and also clean out the current throttle body with cleaner made just for this sort of thing - which of course he sold me. He said he sees this sort of thing all the time on pre-08 Fords that weren't designed to run crap ethanol fuel.

Anybody have experience in fixing/preventing this type thing? Do I have to replace the part or should I try the sea foam and cleaner (assuming it won't hurt anything?). Do you have to get the programming done at a shop?

Thanks for all your help and comments! Loving the site so far and looking forward to future upgrades.

Me:
2006 F150 4X4 5.4L V8
Stock

 

I had to replace my throttle body on my '05 last summer. I did not have to have it reprogrammed.
These things are plug and play.
I got this OEM one from Fairway Ford. GREAT BUY!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/04-05-06-07-08-09-10-F-150-5-4L-OEM-Genuine-Ford-Throttle-Body-w-TPS-Sensor-/180907557073?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a1eee40d1

 

Please post the exact code, not what Autozone thinks the problem is.

Stay away from Seafoam. If you use any gas additive, use Techron.

The throttle body needs to be removed to properly clean it with throttle body cleaner, and you have to be careful not to move the throttle plate excessively when doing it.

 

[QUOTE=glc;5126197]Please post the exact code, not what Autozone thinks the problem is.

Thanks glc! The code was P0506 - Which Autozone says is "the Idle Air Control System RPM Lower Than Expected."

 

Thanks Pethel. I may end up going the replacement route if cleaning it doesn't work.

 

A proper and thorough TB cleaning should take care of it.

 

Good Luck! Hopefully all it needs is removing and a good cleaning.

Cleaning didn't help mine. It kept going into "Fail-safe mode" along with trouble codes.
Hasn't been a problem since the swap.

 

what is wrong with seafoam?

 

Seafoam is for old carbureted engines without converters. Works great in small engines such as lawnmowers. It's quite rough on cats. Techron is the only additive approved by Ford and it works very well.

 

Thanks for all the help guys!

1. Stay away from sea foam
2. Stay away from carburetor cleaner
3. Start by cleaning the throttle body assembly with tba cleaner
4. If cleaning doesn't work, which it may not, replace it w/ OEM parts and there shouldn't be any need for re-programming.

 

You can get a quote on OEM from Tasca, they may beat Fairway's price. You can buy a Standard for $162.79 and a Cardone reman for $104.79 from rockauto.com.

 

Thanks to all of you for your help and advice. I removed the throttle body assembly today and cleaned it really well with a toothbrush and tba cleaner. It was pretty gunked up before and now she's all shiny.

Great news! The engine light is now off, and I'm getting a very smooth idle. I didn't have any problems with having to re-program anything either.

Thanks again!

 

I am being charged 650.00 to replace the Throttle Body Assembly on my 2006 Ford F-150 FX4 5.6L. Does this sound correct ?

 

Male1973 Do it yourself and save $450.00 Very easy to do.