Check Engine Light Constant Problem
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Joined: Feb 2003
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Check Engine Light Constant Problem
I have a 1997 F-150 with 134,000 miles on it. My dad was the original owner and I bought it from him when it had about 123k miles. When I bought it from him, he had never changed the plugs or had it tuned up and it was still running great. However, I wanted to get everything up to date, so I took it to Ford for the tune-up and they reprogrammed the PCM. Before I even got it off the lot, it was running rough and cutting out, so I took it back and they said that they fixed it. However, this is the list of problems that I’ve had since:
124,000 Check engine light on Replaced plug #8 that was misfiring
125,000 Check engine light on Replaced plug wires & clean fuel injectors
126,500 Check engine light on Replaced all spark plugs again
127,000 Check engine light on Replaced two oxygen sensors
133,000 Check engine light on Replaced plug #4 that was misfiring
Now, I am at 134,000 miles and my check engine light came back on. All work has been done at Ford shops. Since the first tune-up, my fuel economy has gone done and my truck shakes and cuts-out a little when in low RPMs in overdrive. After the check engine light comes on, it idles very rough and cuts out a lot.
I have been moving around and have not been able to take it to the same Ford shop, and I tell each new shop the vehicle history hoping that they will look for something more to fix rather than just replacing the plugs again, but they always just tell me that the problem was the plug.
Please tell me if you can think of anything that might be wrong with my truck and end this problem. Thanks for the help.
Matt Berry
berry@u.washington.edu
124,000 Check engine light on Replaced plug #8 that was misfiring
125,000 Check engine light on Replaced plug wires & clean fuel injectors
126,500 Check engine light on Replaced all spark plugs again
127,000 Check engine light on Replaced two oxygen sensors
133,000 Check engine light on Replaced plug #4 that was misfiring
Now, I am at 134,000 miles and my check engine light came back on. All work has been done at Ford shops. Since the first tune-up, my fuel economy has gone done and my truck shakes and cuts-out a little when in low RPMs in overdrive. After the check engine light comes on, it idles very rough and cuts out a lot.
I have been moving around and have not been able to take it to the same Ford shop, and I tell each new shop the vehicle history hoping that they will look for something more to fix rather than just replacing the plugs again, but they always just tell me that the problem was the plug.
Please tell me if you can think of anything that might be wrong with my truck and end this problem. Thanks for the help.
Matt Berry
berry@u.washington.edu
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 10
From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Maybe if you could get the code that has been set, it would be helpful.
It seems that they are working on P030* codes, or at least on the surface that is what it looks like, with changing plugs and wires galore.
AutoZone or PepBoys I have been told will scan it for free, and give you the code number.
If you post it back here, a better answer might be able to be given.
Also what is the engine size ?
There are things that could be up, depending on the engine size, but I don't want to point you that way without a code.
One simple thing is to check the vac hoses for cracks and leaks, but this could be a long process, that you may want to wait on until you get the code.
Just an offer to try to help narrow it down without guessing at what to look at.
It seems that they are working on P030* codes, or at least on the surface that is what it looks like, with changing plugs and wires galore.
AutoZone or PepBoys I have been told will scan it for free, and give you the code number.
If you post it back here, a better answer might be able to be given.
Also what is the engine size ?
There are things that could be up, depending on the engine size, but I don't want to point you that way without a code.
One simple thing is to check the vac hoses for cracks and leaks, but this could be a long process, that you may want to wait on until you get the code.
Just an offer to try to help narrow it down without guessing at what to look at.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 0
From: Mpls, MN
Cylinder no. 4 - Misfire Detected
Probable Cause Ignition/Fuel/EGR system, Crankshaft Position sensor, Air Gap incorect, Mechanical Fault.
The CPS may be faulty or could also have been removed and then reinstalled improperly. There is also a TSB stating that if the crankshaft pulley and/or dampner are removed on a 4.2L or 4.6L engine while the battery is still connected, the PCM has trouble relearning.
If you're getting multiple, repeated misfires, it sounds to me like a timing issue.
Probable Cause Ignition/Fuel/EGR system, Crankshaft Position sensor, Air Gap incorect, Mechanical Fault.
The CPS may be faulty or could also have been removed and then reinstalled improperly. There is also a TSB stating that if the crankshaft pulley and/or dampner are removed on a 4.2L or 4.6L engine while the battery is still connected, the PCM has trouble relearning.
If you're getting multiple, repeated misfires, it sounds to me like a timing issue.
Last edited by AjRagno; Feb 2, 2003 at 01:42 PM.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 10
From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
While it looks to be that all this has been donw, here is another post from a member that was getting P0300 and P0304 codes.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=104172
You can search on P030* and get other tips, but with the way things look, it seems that AJ might be on to something more to the point.
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...hreadid=104172
You can search on P030* and get other tips, but with the way things look, it seems that AJ might be on to something more to the point.