a little while ago i went to get my trailer to bring it home, as i pulled out the drive way my truck stalled and the info screen where it says the temp and direction and miles said check gauges. i have pulled this trailer countless times and never had a problem before.
its a 2004 f-150 extended cab 2wd with a 4.6l v8. what could be wrong. it has an automatic trans

 

There are a million things that COULD be wrong. How many miles on the truck? Are you following the recommended maintenance schedule in the owner's manual? EXACTLY? Are you following the recommendations for trailering? Did you install a larger external trans cooler? How many miles on the plugs? Fuel filter? ...

 

it did it again so far its only been at very slow or next to idle speeds. i restart the truck and every thing runs fine. the truck has 66,000 miles on it has always been

serviced every 3,000 miles since new. ford serviced it untill 50,000 miles everything is stock except for flowmasters and k&n air filter. i dont tow more than

recommended. i dont think the fuel filter has been changed im going to change the fuel filter and i might change the plugs also in the morning

i hope the added info helps, any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

Go down to Autozone and get them to scan for codes.

 

...but don't BUY anything in the zone.

And be exceptionally careful about installing the spark plugs. There's a very precise torque spec that MUST be observed, or the plugs can be blown out of the heads. Do a little searching & reading here to find out more.

How long ago did you first notice this symptom, and did it appear suddenly, or progressively?

 

it started feeling like it was about to stall about 2 weeks ago. it doesnt knock

or anything like that it just drops in rpms and shuts off. if i have the radio on i

cant even realize it stalled untill i stop moving.

 

I'd get the fuel filter changed just because its cheap. If it continues to happen then you can progress from there.

 

The 04 4.6's had the 8 thread heads, no blowout issues.

 

No problems with those heads. The problems most likley w/maintenance - You neglect it (simply put lol) - Anyone who lets the fuel filter go that long is asking for trouble. Every third oil change - (if you change that) or 15,000 miles.

How do you tow with it running Slowmasters? They eat up the torque and the 4six is lacking there to begin with IMO -
I pull heavy with a 5four / ran a Flowmaster at one point in time, the truck sounded awesome, but had a tough time from the light, - IF, I was pulling a another truck or a full size van.
It didn't sweat it with the stock system or what I'm running now. Flowmasters are bad news as far as workin her.

 

i changed the fuel filter and it still feels like it wants to stall even without a trailer. i got it checked for codes and nothing showed up.



i just bought the truck a couple of months ago thats why i wasnt sure if the

fuel filter had been changed. but i know the truck was serviced regularly

because i have all the invoices from the dealership in the glove box showing

services every 3000 - 3500 miles that i just looked threw. and i bought it from

my grandfather who babied it. and as far as towing it never pulled a trailer

untill i got it and i have only used it because my 7.3 250 has to get some front

suspension work done that i havn't been able to get to yet. the truck never

had a problem pulling it before.

 

My truck does the same thing, stalls then shuts off, when i brought it to the shop they said i need to replace my plugs, just not getting its voltage

 

What do you think, guys - that's the first year of the drive by wire throttle - if it's been babied you think the throttle body and EGR passages might need a good cleaning? Sticky throttle plate?

 

Drive by wire use the electronic throttle control to adjust the throttle plate opening. No IAC. If it was sticking the truck could stall.

.

 

That actually does make sense. Clean the throttle body and make a few hard passes down the freeway to help break up some of the carbon build up.

 

its gotten worse now every time i let of the gas it will stall i got it back home

and parked it untill i get it figured out.