Today while at a light, I noticed a sudden change in the engne idle, and when I went to accelerate, it shaking and has no power. I also have a blinking check engine light.

I have a 97 xtd cab with 4.6L

any ideas, I'm thinking plugs, but they look like a*******to change!!

 

I had a similar problem with my 97 4.6, I changed the plugs, the wires, still no fix. then I changed the 02 sensor and it has ran perfect ever since. just my two cents.

 

With my '99, it was the IAC. Exact same symptoms. I guess a reading of the code is called for?

 

Dennis is right, a reading of the codes would be best. Even is it costs 70 bucks to hook it up, most of the time they can tell you the exact problem and that way there is none of this well lets put this on and hope it works. Personally I have the 4.6 in my 97and it did the exact same thing. Mine turned out that the #4 cylinder was arcing around the top of the plug. Ford put new plugs in and I put new wires on and it has ran fine the past 19000 miles since, knock on wood.

 

Could be a dirty MAF,too. I left mine unplugged by accident after cleaning the fipk,and it took forever to start and would stumble and shake when I would hit the gas. It also had a check engine light flashing. Good Luck,,,,98

 

Sounds just like the problem I had a few months back....changed the plugs and wires again(were changed a year before). My guess/contribution is it is the plugs, and it burned a hole in one of the wires, it's what happened to me, sounds like it's what is happening to you, my .02...........