I have a 2004 F150(not heritage) with a 5.4 V8 FX4 Supercrew and I am having the following problems:

- Check engine light is on

- My temp gauge goes out and dash says "check gauges" but comes back on

- A few times I haven't been able to get my truck to start (just cranks) until I pump the gas a little then it will start up

- Today I noticed that it is idling in drive really high (around 1100 rpm) and even higher if I put it in neutral


I would really appreciate any help with this. Thanks

 

Have you had a scan done for the CEL code?

 

Not yet. It just got really bad today. Probably do that tomorrow.

 

Standard procedure with OBD2 - if you have a CEL, get the codes read FIRST before attempting to troubleshoot anything. Except in California, most larger auto parts stores will do it free, and you can buy a serviceable reader to do it yourself for about $35.

 

Got the codes read at Autozone and they basically said that I needed to replace the water temp sensor and the cylinder head sensor. I replaced the water temp sensor but the other sensor is under the intake manifold I believe.

 

Please post the exact P-codes, NOT what the clowns at the Zone think they mean.

 

I would NOT try to start that engine again until I was fairly sure it is not the injectors leaking.

 

I gave in and took it to the Ford dealership but thought I would follow up to help anyone else. The items that I had fixed are:

- New cylinder head temp sensor

- 2 new cylinder head coils

- I think they fixed a wiring problem too

- New spark plugs

- Cleaned fuel injectors

 

Probably just needed a CHT, but thanks for posting.

 

haha no kiddin!!! i went and got a code read and they told me i needed a new gas cap...i was like uh ok ill pass on that so i drove home and changed the 02 sensors and the light went off!

 

The gas cap thing does happen. Just ask my wife she didn't get it tight enough after filling up when she borrowed my truck. A p0457 happened. I had to go to the neighbor's to get the code reader to figure that one out. Pissed me of at first, the truck was only 2 months old. Now we just laugh about it.

LOL's

 

The loose/missing gas cap thing probably happens more times than you'd imagine, and probably results in the same code (lean mixture due to low pressure, I'm guessing). At least they didn't try to sell you O2 sensors when a gas cap would work! I always try the cheapest/simplest solution first.

Still, I agree that I wouldn't trust them implicitly. Used to be good guys with good know-how behind the counters at these stores, but now it seems they'll hire anyone that can click a few buttons on a computer. No replacement for a good repair manual and forum full of helpful users who've been there, fixed that.

 

some autoparts stores are good and others arent. you just gotta find the good ones. my biggest issue with most of them is trying to get the right friggin parts. everytime i talk to one guy at the napa in berlin md i think of forust gumps-"lifes like a box of chocolate, you never know what your gonna get"- because 90% of the time the parts are wrong. i do still enjoy laughing at the lean codes means all your o2 sensors are bad

 

yea i know a loose gas cap will cause a CEL to come on, but i was like nah screw your gas cap i had a hunch it was the 02's since i had that cats replaced