hey guys,

got a couple of problems

1. CEL came on this morning on my way to work, and truck starting skipping when i took off, and idling weird, but when i got to highway speeds, it seems like it ran somewhat decent, just not quite as much power.

2. Took it to Autozone, and the OBD 2 scanner they had said it couldnt pick up my connector.. and i cant find the fuse on the diagram that i have...

for the record: 97 4.6L (w) 167k miles automatic tranny

Any help would be appreciated, im in a small crisis here...
Jason

 

take it too a ford dealer

 

im hoping that its only a fuse or something.. imma check it now, if not i guess i will go get overcharged at the dealership

 

There could be about 250 different things that could cause this. We need a code. I would recommend taking to ford and letting them check the codes(gonna cost about 75 bucks) but dont let them fix the problem. Just ask for the codes. Then bring them back here and we can then help you out. Most common things are o2 sensors, IAC, PCV, and many other little sensors. With that many miles im suprised you havent had any other problems w/ CEL. Your throttle body and egr system could probably use a good cleaning though. Let us know the codes

 

Also have you changed the front 2 upstream o2 sensors. They are recommended to be changed about 50-100K miles and if you havent done this yet i bet it could help. My truck had same symptoms when my o2's went out. JUST the front upstream ones though. They cost about 45 bucks a piece.

 

you know, it dawned on me awhile back that i had 2 up front.. and all i should have to do is take off the tires in order to get to them.... but did that make your truck run real rough on take off and things like that?

 

Please don't throw parts at it at random and hope it to be fixed. I'd recommend taking it to someone that can see what codes you've got, and go from there.

 

it did but like Quintin said to save time and money get it diagnosed cuz it could get reeeeaaallll ugly guessing. Good luck

 

i finally got the obd2 running code p0304- cylinder 4 misfiring..
i got plugs and wires to try to remedy the problem

 

great hope it helps; you do have 4.6 right? In this case i hope you do; alot easier on the 4.6. Good luck.

 

yeah got 4.6, the only thing that sucks is that #4 and #8 are tucked under the firewall, and are hard to get to

 

Everyone said the first time it would take 6 hours but only took me 3 and thats with blowing the holes out w/ compressor before taking old plugs out. A swivel socket makes it much easier. I had about 5 extensions and a swivel socket. Good luck

 

Just a little tip. Once you take off the spark plug boot, blow out the spark plug hole, it will be filled with dirt and sand. It takes about three to four hours the first time you change the plug and wires. different length extensions will make things a little easier. Good luck!

 

just got home from fixing it.. took a little over 3.5 hours.. i got a guy from autozone that is a certified mechanic to help me.. wasnt too bad

thanks for the help guys

jason

 

Everything good now?