Just started an intermittent miss in my '97 Lariat 5.4 engine. Check engine light has come on and off twice. Cannot locate scanner at any local auto parts store. Any suggestions where to look without getting ripped off by the dealer? Truck is approaching 55,000 miles. From reading some of your topics, sounds like plugs and wires may need replacing. Any similar problems??

 

The 5.4 doesn't have wires. I would try the easy things first (i.e. plugs, fuel filter etc).

One of those scanners would sure make the job easier though. I wonder how much Ford would charge you to read the codes? I wonder if some of the rental shops carry these scanners. Sure would make sense - any rental business owners out there?

Please post what you find out though. I too have a 5.4 with about 55K miles.

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks and fog light mod.

 

Consumer versions of OBD II scanners can be found if you search the net. Actron and Ease simulation are just 2 that come to mind. They are not cheap however, expect to pay $200 and up. They are available as standalone hand helds and as PC interfaces. The PC types require a computer, usually a laptop to analyze the data, and can provide almost as much info as the professionl versions. All will allow you to read and reset the computer error codes.

 

When check engine light goes on, that means one of the smog sensers are bad, hope this helps.

 

What other symtoms do you have? My 4.6 just had the engine light come on. i had the code read and it turned out to be missfire on #4.
As a plug was only $2.00, that was my first try. Thats what it was.
100,000 plug dies at 46,000. I replaced all the plugs and blew $16.00 + 1.5 hours + 3 bandaids + 32 swear words!
Had I known what a pig they were to change the dealer would have got the job, but i would have to wait 10 days!
If you need to reset the fault code there are 3 ways. 40 cold to hot run cycles, dealer code computer reset, or simply disconnect the main battery for 1/2 hour.
By the way, a 2x4 and length of string help pull off the plug caps.............

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97, 4.6, 3.55LS, Dk red 265/75/16, Leer cap, Rhino bed, rose wood dash, CD player,

 

When my truck was new I also had the engine lite come on. Ford reprogramed my computer!!
This year when my husband changed my spark plugs he knocked a plug/cover off some kind of vacuum inlet causing the engine lite to come on. Just had to put the plug back and reset the lite. To reset all I did was disconnect the battery and turn on the headlights. That drains ALL residual power real quick (like less than a minute) connected the battery and good to go.

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars

 

Thanks for the input received so far The problem is still unresolved. Planning to replace plugs this weekend - not looking forward to it though. This is what I have discovered: Ford wants $65.00 just to read the codes for me; and they do not sell scanners (I wonder why??). According to the parts clerk at Ford, the Snap-on dealer may sell them. I haven't heard back from the Snap-on man yet. Can't wait to see what his price will be.
I'm wondering if the TPS (throttle position sensor) could be the problem. As I said before, this is an intermitent problem. I have gone WOT once or twice since this started with no hesitation, miss, etc. I can still spin the wheels if I want. When the engine miss rears it's ugly head, all I have to do is back off the gas a bit, give it more gas, or shift out of O/D.
Don't know if any of this is pertinent, but maybe someone else has had something similar. All my past ignition problems with other vehicles has been a continual miss and not an intermitent. Thanks again for your replies. Will keep you posted on any further developments.

 

Unless you have the code read, you'll just be guessing at what might be wrong. It can get expensive very quickly when you try to shotgun the problem without knowing exactly what it is your trying to fix. At $65 per scan, it doesn't take long to justify the purchase price of a scanner. Try www.actron.com, they have a scanner for $195. These OBD II systems can only be read with a scanner, you can't short a couple of pins together and read flashes on the check engine light like on the older systems. Hope this helps.

 

JC Whitney has the Actron OBD-II reader for $159.99 (usually $179.99) in the latest catalog that came yesterday.

Neal

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1997 4x4 Expedition- 4.6L, true dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, SuperChip, airbox mods, Edelbrock shocks, 285/75R16 BFG ATs, Optima "T-Bone" wheels, and Clarion In-dash CD player.

1993 4x2 F150 Reg. Cab LWB- 5.0L, cat-back dual exhaust w/glass-packs, K&N air filter, Superchip, fresh paint, and Line-X bedliner.
http://members.visualcities.com/NoMo

 

Geep: You should search the board for spark plug replacement. There IS a way to change the plugs on the 5.4l without removing the fuel rail. Something about a swivel and a 2" extension. Good luck!

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'97 F150 Lariat, Flareside, SC, ORP, 5.4, Mods: 305/70/16 GY ATS, AR Baja wheels, dual exhaust, Smittybilt nerf bars, Edelbrock IAS Shocks and fog light mod.

 

Thanks to Bill for telling me about Actron. I checked their site. I'm meeting my Snap-on dealer Tuesday. He has a scanner that reads all Ford, GM, and Chrysler including OBD 2 for $300. Meanwhile, back to my problem - I replaced the front four spark plugs this morning. They were shot - worn to a nub, so ignore any 100,000 mile crap you hear. As for the back four plugs LOL. I'll have to pull the fuel rails and God knows what else to get to them. I'm saving that chore for a cooler day. Also checked out the TPS and it checked out OK. From the condition of the four plugs I replaced, I can't imagine that not being the problem. I'll let you know when I know for sure.

 

Thanks kkirt1 for the the info. I'll check it out.

 

I just purchased the software by AutoTap www.autotap.com
The AT2 software that reads OBDII computers on the Ford 96 and newer vehicles runs about $250. It is a little expensive but you can just about read every error code that Ford can. My check engine light was on and I was getting an error code of P0156 (Heated O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction) The check engine light can come on due to several different reasons. If you are in the Chicago land area I would read your computer errors for free. Good Luck....