So I was taking my significant other to the Orthodontist today, and I had a girl in there too, when suddenly, my baby's "Check Engine" light came on, and it started shuddering REALLY bad. I pulled over, and I checked everything out that I could think of, but nothing seemed out of place, so I went on with no problem. On the way home, it started doing it again, and I thought it may be the transmission because it only did it when I was accelerating, and it hadn't done it when it wasn't in gear yet, but I stopped again, and when I started the truck again, it almost died, feeling like it was almost out of gas, in gear and out, and the shuddering has gotten so bad that I know something is wrong, and I can't ignore it like I do the door cracks. It does it all the time now, from idle all the way up, and I am afraid to drive it again until I find out what is going on. About every two to three minutes the "Check Engine" light flashes about 10 or 15 times, and then it stays on solid again. Any ideas of what this might be? O2 sensor, fuel filter, anything? Maybe a bad spark plug or coil pack? Anything you could tel me about this would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, guys, I know you all will know something more than I do, I'm still a rookie at troubleshooting these trucks. I have the 4.6 automatic with 113,000 miles on it.

 

Could be any of the problems you listed. The only way to truly know is to read the code. But that requires a code reader. You could buy one, but they aren't cheap. Ford will read it for you, but I don't think that's all that cheap either.

I've been debating whether or not to buy one for myself, for just an occasion as yours. I've got a Chiltons manual that lists all the trouble codes. You just need to know which one it is.

Sorry, for not really being any help for your problem. You could throw parts at it until you fix it, but that would not be cheap either..........

Gotta get the code(s).

 

You can pick up a scan tool for like $30 at walmart or any auto parts store. It comes with an instruction manual and code list. It is nowhere near advanced as a scan tool and won't give you as much info but it will give you the trouble codes so you can test the system that threw out the code.

-Jon

 

Thanks, y'all, I might do that. I read an older post from a guy with a similar problem and someone replied to him about his coil packs. I can see this maybe being the problem, but I have no idea how to test them. Does anyone know how, or think this may be the answer?

 

When it starts shuddering, try giving the IAC a couple of whacks.

 

a flashing SES light means misfire right??

 

So I have taken off the IAC and cleaned it today, and when I got it back on, it seemed like everything was better at start up, but when I put it in reverse and back out of my driveway, same shudder. Maybe the coil packs? I may just change all the plugs and wires and go back with new coil packs, and if that doesn't solve it, I don't know what I'll do. I'll try the coil packs first.