I need some help on a problem I'm having. I have a 97 F150 4.6l, 5 speed, K&N filter, Superchip, dual exhaust, and all that good stuff, has 62000 miles. The past couple of weeks the motor has felt like it has been holding back, it feels like it is surging, every once and a while it will open up and run but for the most part it just feels like the motor is dead. Today I replaced the fuel filter changed the oil and now the problem is worse, now I have the same problem but I'll be going down the road and it will cough and take back off and when I come to a stop the motor will almost die. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have been pleased with the truck no problems up till now!!!

 

Somebody else had a similar problem recently. It was cured by resetting the ECM. The battery was disconnected and the headlights turned on (so that the capacitors drain immediately). That would be the easiest and cheapest thing to do for starters.

 

It is probably an air sensor before the intake. This exact thing was happening on my brother's 98 Ranger and replacing that sensor (under warranty for him) fixed it right up...

 

Here's another little adder. I still haven't figured out the problem yet, I wish the thing would just die, then I could locate the problem. Last night it almost left me on the road!! It got to missing so bad that I had to idle home. After I got home I left it running, popped the hood and got to digging around while it was still missing, I found that one of the square relays in the fuse block under the hood was chattering like crazy, I took it out and swapped it with another, started the truck and it was still missing. I gave up when it got dark so I slammed the hood and the truck smoothed right out, no missing, nothing. I did reset the computer, didn't help. any other suggestions? I am going to pull out the chip and see if that makes any diffrence.

 

This may be stupid by check it out. Check out your spark plug wires one could be burnt or crack. It is simple and easy to check. But if they are arching on something it will cause similiar problems. If not there is a guy also having problems he has a post in here called fuel pump. The truck is dying at times and chugging around sometimes but not always. Good Luck

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1998 F150 XLT extra cab white,4.6 with off-road package
tint,rhino-lining, white face gauges, clear front marker lights, stull billet grille
16" lariat 5 stars with dunlop radial rover
285/75/16

 

At 62,000 miles have you cleaned your Air Filter. They are good but, do need cleaning once in a while. I need to do mine soon but I took the easy way out and bought a second fileter to go on my Air Aid Kit. I will install the new one and then clean the old one.
Also, have you checked all of the relays in the fuse box to be sure they are tight. Slamming the hood may have made a good conection.
Please post what you find. Mine is a 97 too.


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97 F-150, 2WD, Reg Cab,Flareside,Dk Toreador Red, Windsor 4.6, Magnecor 8.5mm wires, Bosch Plat +4s, 3.55 LS, EGR Bug Deflector, ******* Bed Cover, Bed Liner, XL Full Length Running Boards, Air Aid Kit, Gibson Single Out Cat Back, Superchips, TransGo Shift Kit, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, Hellwig 2500# Overload Springs

 

The hood slam fix makes this sound more and more like a loose connection somewhere. Start the engine and poke around inside the engine compartment. Shake every wire and pound on every black box.

Maybe one of the mechanics here can point you in the right direction by analyzing the symptoms?

 

Wasn't there something about A/C wiring harness arcing and causing all kinds of problems.
Definitely sounds electrical.

Most of the sensors like the MAF at the filter box and the TPS on the throttle body can be unhooked to eliminate them as suspects.

Birdman

 

Two of my plugs looked bad at 40K from leaking plug wire boots that was letting water get down around them. Check that out too. I was putting in Bosch Platinum Plus 4's is the only way I would have found them before it got worse. The 97 wire boots were defective by design.

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!) MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening, Bosch Platinum + 4's, Hayden 30K+ Tranny Cooler,Class III Reece load distributing hitch system, full wiring including trailer battery charging system, Escort Sensor II Brake controller, Superchip




[This message has been edited by cphilip (edited 02-25-2000).]

 

ltlred: You've got 62k on that engine. Have you changed the spark plugs? If not, go buy yourself some BOSCH +4 . And make sure you look at each of those wires going to them, especially around where they might touch or rub on other engine parts. You may need to change them too. What part of NC are you in??

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2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards
rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate

 

I had the exact problem that you are describing on my expedition while going over a bridge here in Jacksonville. I popped the hood and grabbed ahold of the wiring harness that goes into the ECM. The truck smoothed out. But if I shook it, it would idle real rough. The biggest thing that made me think that it was the ECM, was the fact that the truck would idle when trying to leave a red light, but it would act like it was starving for fuel when you press the gas. Anyhow, the problem ended up being my Superchip. I can't explain why or how. I just know that I removed the chip and the truck ran fine after that. I had the chip replaced and it runs fine. I hope this helps!

 

Problem solved!! I was looking at the truck this weekend, checking wiring harnesses, fuses, fuse blocks, and then I checked the ECM. I unplugged and pulled it out an found that the superchip was half way unplugged. It seems that the 200mph tape that I had put on it to keep it in place came undone. I reseated the chip, put some more tape around it, plugged the ECM back in and it seems to be fine now, I haven't got to drive it to much since I done that but it is running alot better than it was. When I stop, the idle still drops to around 200 rpm, bounces about three times and then levels out around 700 rpm. The next thing is to change the plugs an wires that might clear that problem up. Question for Mike: Will the making and breaking connection harm the chip or the ECM. Thanks, everyone for the suggestions.

[This message has been edited by ltlred (edited 02-28-2000).]

 

I hope you ment that it levels out at "700"rpm's
The breaking contact shouldn't harm your computer or chip. I think it will just keep resetting. I've got good ol duct tape on mine!!

[This message has been edited by Tina (edited 02-28-2000).]

 

Hey Extosea,

Glad to see another Jacksonville owner in here


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Chris Thomas
1998 F-150XLT Flareside STX Sport Package, 4.6L Auto 3.55 Oxford White/Gray interior, Factory Anti-theft system
Picture: http://216.147.104.171/Y2K/members/ChrisT/christ1a.jpg
Homepage: Chris & Brandi's Universe
Mods: A.R.E. Decklid/Oxford White with gray fabric liner, K&N filter with Airbox Mod (removed silencer), Lowered 3" front/5" rear, Tinted Windows, GTS sloted taillight covers (painted Oxford white to match), Removed STX stickers
Audio: Kenwood Truck speakers with 10" woofers, Rockford Fosgate and Alpine Amps, Ford 10 disk CD changer
Future Mods: 20" rims and tires, True duals with Supertrap tunable mufflers, Superchip, Supercharger, Jacobs Ignition, and whatever else I can think of!!!