Problem #1:
When I start the truck up and get on it within a couple of minutes of take off, I'll back down and sit at a traffic light and the truck starts to sputter as I take off again.
The same problem occurs when I'm on the highway with the truck warmed up; I'll get on it and as the RPM's go up the truck starts to flutter and starts to sputter (similar to the feel & sound of when your engine is over carburated, like in the old days). The only mod's that have been done to the truck is a pac chip and S&J air filter.
Problem #2:
It sounds like one of my catalytic convertors is breaking apart, I'm experiencing a rattle from underneath; after the vehicle warms up a bit.

HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THERE "L"? HAS ANYTHING BEEN RECALLED ON THESE TRUCKS YET? Any idea's for solutions?

 

Red99NJ,

I am having this problem too. The way i have best been able to reproduce this "fluttering" is to get on the gas as much as i can without letting the tranny downshift. If i take off hard and keep the rpms up it doesnt do it.

Lightningquick put up a post about a recall on the belts, do you guys think this could be the same thing?

 

Start at square one..... remove the chip.

What about your gas? Is it 92-93 Octane. What about the area you live in, do "they" the gas companies, reformulate the gas for winter?
Who makes a "pac" chip?

------------------
John Armstrong
2000 Red Lightning
#444 of 4966
Born 2/22/2000
Went home 3/6/2000

 

A chip doesnt have to just cause a problem but it deos MAGNIFY problems more than you would think.Like the belt issue.My truck fluttered with the chip. If I would slightly let off the gas right before the shift point.Felt like a no-load lower end rap but was coming from the top end.I removed my chip and it shifts soon as you let off the gas so the problem disappears until once in a while when you trick the transmision.My point is the problem was still there but was only REAL noticable with the chip. I know it wasnt a lower end rap because it would not do it in neutral at any rpm with no load.I now believe the problem was actually the belts Ford just replaced.

Also my motor never cut out.it sounded like valves rattling.

The only time my truck sputtered is when the coil pacs go.this would be my real guess to many of your problems.It really needs to be checked one by one with a tester too.It is a intermitten problem to some people.Remember,,Always go for the obvios first.there have been many lightning owners with coils,clunks,intercoolers,belt problems.On most vechicles,the problems are mostly uniform to the same vechicles.hope tbis helps some of you

 

Mine did it when the right aft coil had anti-freeze on it.

 

Let the truck warm up before you go out and hammer it.

 

red99 check the far left hand side coil. facing the engine. There is a heater hose with a week clamp on it from the factory. all the 5.4 and 4.6 engines have this problem. If it is leaking you should see signs of coolent on the coil. or just takt the coil out and inspect it . I have seen them get so full of coolent and just break apart... good luck ,,

 

The converter rattle is a common problem with our trucks. Ford is replacing mine next week under warranty and the service guy said they have another one in the with the same problem. The converters are covered under warranty up until 100,000 miles I think.

It's most noticeable at a drive thru or low RPMs through a parking lot or something. It goes very well with the clunking noise in turns.

Trace