Hey everyone. I'm sorry if this has been discussed before, but just wanted to bring a fresh start to the table. I have a 2010 FX4 SuperCrew with the 5.4. I bought it lightly used (15,000 miles) about 2 months ago. Love the truck, but hate driving it! I come from a 2002 FX4 SuperCrew with the 5.4.

Here's the issue, when I'm driving, especially once I've reached my cruising speed (doesn't matter what end speed this is) my truck feels like its stuttering. Not so violently that my passengers notice it, but I certainly do. The best way I can describe it, is it literally feels like my 2002 did when I had misfires and bad COPs. I've taken it to the dealer, they of course couldn't duplicate it. Had the service manager ride with me. He felt it. Said thats basically "the way these trucks are." Said they updated the PCM and the TCM. Said all the coils and plugs checked out. No codes of course. I even bought an SCT X3 from 5-star tuning to see if that would rectify the situation. I still feel it. The tuner at least got me out of the area of always running extremely low RPM's and I have better throttle response, but I can still feel it. It feels like something "isn't there". As I read in some old posts on older models, it feels like when you're driving a manual and perhaps in too high a gear and it wants to dump on you.

So, its just frustrating. I love this truck, but just getting irritated driving it. Inconsistent off the line unless I drive super aggressive and then the stuttering. I tried the traction control trick tonight. Still felt it but wasn't really able to drive long enough to really test it.

Any suggestions? Does this sound like something the dealer is missing? Do I need to have 5-star write a new tune? Open to anything and thanks again!

 

This could be a complete shot in the dark... but is the Tb really dirty? Try cleaning the MAF?

 

I mean it could be. The engine bay was not clean when I bought it from this guy and took out his 4-wheeler with it regularly. Could it get that dirty with now only 18,000 miles on it? Thanks for the quick response by the way!

 

It could, but it seems such low mileage ya know?

Those 6 speeds seem to have some weird issues. Some people don't care for the shift points and such. Some one finally figured out how to get it to stop relearning the crappy shift points.

 

Yeah I agree. Just seems low mileage for issues, but thats why I'm stumped. Thats why I bought the programmer to see if I could override the tendencies. And its funny you mention it "relearning", because I almost swear the computer has overridden the programmer. There are times it feels like it has reverted back to the stock program.

Just a shame because I gave up my 02 that I absolutely loved, for something "newer" before I started really having issues. Had it customized like I wanted and everything. Now I have a nice truck, but no real personal feel to it yet and that adds to the frustration I think.

 

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ion-flash.html

 

Thanks for looking that up. That could be something. So it prompts more questions. This is the first time I've ever bought a tuner. Should I reload the tune and do that drive cycle? Will that still apply? It's been 300 miles since I installed the program, but I just drove as usual. The SCT does program the transmission as well, so the tune has overridden the factory reflash right?

Or do I need to start with a better base flash before the tuner? In other words, return to stock, have dealer reflash, drive cycle, then reload tune. Thanks for being available!

 

That's where my knowledge begins to end on these trucks... I kept searching for that one thread as it had a wealth of information. The guy pretty much had to tell the dealer what to do and the did that relearn process and it helped out iirc. I'll keep trying to search for you when I get a chance. Are your tunes canned or custom btw?

 

Thanks for taking the time to do all this. I'll keep doing some research as well. It's a custom tune I'm running right now. 5-star sent it to me. It's the 87 performance tune. Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

By chance are you driving with the AC turned on? Try turning it off and driving for a while. I have the same "issue" with my 4.6 3v. I confirmed its the AC clutch kicking in or something like that. I can reproduce it every time I have the AC on. When its off, it never happens.

 

To answer your first question, thats a big YES. Its 100 degrees down here in San Antonio on a daily basis so I can't get away with driving without. Especially since I drive around with my little baby as well. Now, I did drive without the AC on to give it a try today and it may have felt better. Definitely not as many "bucks" for sure. Had a few bad ones while I was accelerating onto the highway, but had the AC on because I had picked up my baby. So I'll definitely experiment with that a bit more. My question would be, whats the fix if thats the problem? Thanks for the help.

 

Not sure if there is a fix for this. I believe its the computer flipping the compressor on and off to squeeze out a bit more mpgs. Maybe someone with a bit more insite and chime in. I know people complain that the AC is not cold enough anymore and that's because of the new high efficiency AC system in the 09s and above.

 

does anybody know if the 10's were throttle (drive) by wire? If so, I wonder if there is a electrical glitch?

 

Yes, everything past 2004 is by wire.

 

Well thats crappy. If thats the case, I hope its not the answer! haha