I have a 99 5.4 4X4 SC SB Auto that has idled rough since the day I bought it new. This problem is intermittant and it does it at any time cold,hot, in gear, out of gear(in park),AC on, AC off. History: First two times back to dealer - they could not duplicate-- said their "sensor" detected no problems. Third time: They said they felt it once but could not find what caused it.(kept it overnite this time). They replaced the #3 coil (this was the one under a common coolant leak/drip area) This did no good!
Also I have tried moving the wiring harness away from the AC part -- did no good. I have driven 2 other trucks (one new and one with 27000 miles) at the dealers -- and they idled smooth as silk I am going back next week for the same problem, and was wondering if anyone here has any good ideas to suggest to the dealer? I have "suggested" motor mounts and ALL NEW plugs and coils -- but they have not been too receptive of these ideas. Also the Tach does not change when the problem occurs-- HELP -- and thanks-- Mark

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Maybe a problem, maybe not. I got my truck the day it arrived; it had 7 miles on it. The idle is not perfectly smooth. It vibrates you a little in the seat of the pants. It starts instantly and runs great, so I just figured this is the way it is designed to run. Superchip did not smooth it out either, like some people reported.

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2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

Max, this is what i figured as well-- UNTIL I
drove the other two trucks -- They did NOT have this idling roughness "in the seat of the pants" (excellent discription). Why should my
new $29,000 plus truck idle rougher than other 5.4's? Appreciate your input- thanks

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99 F-150 XLT SC SB AT 5.4
3.55LS Tow pkg Rhino Liner
Bright Red/Gold

[This message has been edited by Markmizzou (edited 06-01-2000).]

 

Mark-
I had the same problem with my truck from the day I got it, and didn't worry about it until the had to replace the passanger side head due to that good old oil leak. Well it leaked agian, and now they are finally dropping a new engine in it, brand new out of crate 2000. I was told to complain about cold enigne knock by a mechanic that I know that works for another ford dealer, and low and behold, that is what caused it to idle rough, and really loud. So I am happy, now just hope that the new one won't knock or leak. Hope this helps out.

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1999 F-150 4x4 Offroad, SuperCab, Prairie Harvest Gold, 5.4L Triton w/ K&N Air Filter, Lund Interceptor Bug Guard, Lund Headlight Covers, Smittybilt Outland Sport Bumper Gaurd w/ Hella 500 & 550 Driving lights, Access Roll-up Cover, Bedliner, Ford Reciever Hitch Cover, Taillight Covers, Bridgestone Dueler AT's

Future Mods:
Gibson Cat-Back Exhaust, 4" Lift w/ 34 OR 35 Inch Mickey Thompson's, 2 or 3 Inch Body Lift

 

I fought a similar problem for about six months. Mine only idled rough when it was up to operating temp. My engine is not "smooth as silk" but it idles evenly, no random roughness. I had it to the dealer six times, twice they could not duplicate, twice they changed the plugs and coil packs assosiated with the leaking coolant (even though it was not leaking), once they changed my computer, nothing fixed it. The fourth visit I told the dealer about the ssm for nutralizing the engine that I read here, took him the number and description. I was told my truck did not qualify for that. The sixth visit the did the ssm I requested and I have not Idled rough since.

This was MY experience, it has not worked for everyone with the rough idle though. Good Luck.
Jeff

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4X2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield
VentVisors
Class III hitch
Ford molded mud guards
Soft tonneau cover
Factory CD with changer (thanks Dusty)
Tinted windows
Factory fog light kit

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...ton54home.html

 

JA... , What is a ssm? and "engine nuetralizing"? Where here can I find about this? should I do a search ? what keywords do I use in the search?

MN-Ford Am I right to understand the piston slap you had was associated with the rough idle you also had??
Problem is that my 99 was a late (7-7) build and I have had no slap symptoms!!??
Sorry for being so dumb, but I really do appreciate any help I can get from friends here. -- Thanks again!!

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99 F-150 XLT 4X4 SC SB AT 5.4
3.55LS Tow pkg Rhino Liner
Bright Red/Gold

 

Mark-
That is what I was told by the dealership that might be causing the rough idle. That is one major problem with all the computer controlled systems on the new engines. Good luck, hope that they take care of your problem. Keep us posted.

 

Well, I hafta to tell ya that when my 99 piston-slappin 5.4 was replaced with a 2000 5.4 the rough idle remained. The new engine came with new plugs and coils so that doesn't seem to be the problem with mine. My pickup has been in the shop so many times for other problems and I've had so many problems with the two dealers I've used that I'm scared to drop it off again for them to trouble shoot this problem.

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1999 F-150 XLT SC Stepside, 5.4L, 3.55 Limited Slip, Towing Package, Captain's Chairs, Bright Red
Added: Westin Nerfs, 12 disc add-on CD changer

 

My 1999 5.4 piston slappin Expy idled rough since day one. Video-tape it so you can show it to the dealer (that one is hard for them to refute.) They replaced my serpentine chain, drive shaft, mass air flow sensor and torque converter. It doesn't idle rough, now it just drives like an old vw van. Decided against the new engine and have been fighting with Ford ever since. Good luck!!

 

I believe ssm stand for Special Service Message. Nutralizing the engine was explained to me as loosening all the drivetrain mounts and exhaust mounts, start the engine and warm to operating temp then tighten everything up again. They also replace the engine mounts. You should be able to find the ssm number by doing a search for rough idle. It would have been about a month ago.
Jeff

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1999 F-150 Lariat 4X2
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield
VentVisors
Class III hitch
Ford molded mud guards
Soft tonneau cover
Factory CD with changer (thanks Dusty)
Tinted windows
Factory fog light kit

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...ton54home.html

 

WHOOPEE -- WHOOPEE !!!
I finally have a truck WITHOUT A ROUGH IDLE. They threw 2 solutions at it, so I don't really know what fixed it -- WHO CARES -- IT'S FIXED!! They replaced all eight plugs and they did the "nuetralization" thing(there is a FORD TSB on this).

PS When I went back to pick it up I spoke to the owner of the dealership and he said Ford was coming out very soon with some sort of a "recall" on the infamous "door-crack" problem. I asked if it would fix just the broken ones, he said "no all of them". I said
my gosh thats huge -- he said "you are right on that" To me, this is big news!!

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99 F-150 XLT 4X4 SC SB AT 5.4
3.55LS Tow pkg Rhino Liner
Bright Red/Gold