I've been following this board off and on for over a year now. The information shared here is awesome!! I have a 97 F150 with the 5.4 I have the door crack on the drivers side (who doesn't?), and suffer from rough idling at stop lights although the rpm's never change. When I first bought my truck, the check engine light came on so I took it to the dealer. They did a modification to re-direct the AC condensate that was dripping onto one of the plugs and fouling it. It seems that whenever I tow my boat (Stratos 201 Pro XL) with the AC on, the check engine light comes on. It always goes off a day or 2 later. Should I be overly concerned with this? This is my 3rd F150, and I have to say that I've been more displeased with this one. Thanks for your suggestions.

 

You didn't post how many miles were on your truck. If the light only comes on when you are towing a boat or something, I have heard that the light will come on if the transmission is slipping. Do you have an automatic tranny? If the light only comes on when you are towing, it would seem that this might be the case. How many miles do you have on your truck?

 

I would definately say yes you should be concerned. I use my AC all the time as I have read all the concernes on the door crack and believe that the crack comes from the flex in the metal when raising and lowering the windows. I have 18K on mine and still no crack. I also tow a boat and never have seen a check engine light. Theese trucks are supposed to be made for towing and hauling, I would get it checked and resolved soon as I would assume with a 97 you are close to your warrenty end.
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

 

I had a engine light under warrenty. They changed the pass. side front EGO (exhaust gas oxygen) sensor-- gets dripped on by the a/c condensor & screws it up. Since I've been out of warrenty , got a code scanner. So far, every check engine light has been EGO. Finally changed the driver side front sensor & it's been ok 5K mi.

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

My truck has 60K miles and it is an automatic. This problem also occurs on extended trips with the AC running (without the boat in tow). The HEGO was replaced the same time that the AC condensate modification was performed. Probably another HEGO problem. I certainly hope that the transmission isn't slipping!! Thanks for the responses.

 

I also have been getting the check engine light. One time I was towing with AC on. It eventually went off. Now it seems to be coming on with normal driving and no air. I have 60,000 miles and have never brought it in for this. It is on again today and I am getting concerned. I think it is time I take it in.

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'97 F150XL 4.6L 5 spd 4x4
SC, Silver Frost
Clearcoat Metallic,
K&N air filter, Access
Roll-Up Cover, bug
deflector, rear custom
Ford mudflaps, Pioneer
Supertuner CD, 4 Cerwin
Vega Speakers. Future
mods: Spray-in bed liner,
shocks, Superchip,
stainless rocker panel.
* 9/27/99 installed
Factory Ford 60/40 seats
from Sonny's
* 10/13/99 installed
cat-back exhaust system
with dual pipes out back,
a Dynomax Race Magnum
muffler, and 3 1/2'
stainless slash tips.
* 3/9/00 installed BFG AT
285/75R16 on American
Racing Altas 16x8

http://sites.netscape.net/iridektm/homepage

 

I don't want to insult anyone, but are you towing with the OD on or off? I was pulling a car trailer down the road very easily with OD off so I turned the OD on. It worked well for about ten miles then the Check Engine light came on. I pulled over and checked everything and saw nothing wrong. I started off again with OD off with no problems until I turn it back on. After five miles the same thing happened. The computer must sense that the engine is using too much gas for the speed or something. Just a suggestion from my own experience.

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http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...1294&a=3025856
Mine:1997 F150, XLT, SC, Oxford white/maroon 60/40 cloth, 4x4 ORP, 4.6L, 3.55LS, 17" ORP wheels w/GY AT/S LT265/70/17, auto, 6 CD,Towing package, alarm, Rhino grill guard w/PICCA lights, dual exhaust. Bought new June '96

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/Album...1294&a=3025874
Wife: 1999 Explorer Limited,pearl white/tan leather,4.0L,4:10LS,CD,sunroof,towing pkg.,alarm. Bought new Sept. 1999

Next: SuperCrew, 5.4L, 4x4,3:55LS,tow pkg. etc..

Previous: '65 Mustang 289 HiPo, '70 Chevelle SS 396, '70 Vette Conv. 350/350, 72 Datsun PU,'74 Vette TTop, '79 Blazer, '81 F150, '83 Bonneville, '84 Gran Marquis '89 TBird Super Coupe 3.8L SuperCharged, '93 Explorer 4.0L

 

If you guys don,t want to buy a code scanner ($150), your best bet might be to get an independent garage to scan your truck--I have no idea what they may charge. It's no good guessing what the prob is--could be many many things. In my case, it's always been EGO but your trucks might be totally diff. Maybe be the $$ for a couple scans will buy the scanner.

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97 Lariet-sc-4.6-4x off road-auto-3.55 LS-
superchip-K&N-3"
pvc air box mod-Granetelli MAF

 

Here is a little on my "Check Engine Woes". I bought my truck in April with 42K miles on it ans also purchased the Ford ESP extended warranty. After about 3 weeks the check engine light came on. Took it to the dealer I bought it from and the scanned it ($70) and told me I had a bad solenoid valve in the EVAP (fuel venting/ emmissions stuff) system. I asked if that was covered under my warranty. They said no. $30 for part and $110 for installation. I asked the tech where is this solenoid? It is located on a tray just in front of the spare tire between two charcoal cannisters. He just happened to have another F150 on a lift and showed me. I told him that I just wanted the part because I haven't even made the first payment and I could easily do it my self.

About two weeks after I installed it (30 minutes max), the dang light came on again. I called the tech while on the road and he set me up an appointment to bring it in. Well I took it in again, he said there was a hair-sized leak in my EVAP system and he would pressurize it with Argon and try to sniff it out. He didn't get the Argon gas he needed so he did a visual and asked me to bring it back AGAIN. On the third trip to the dealer he found nothing but suggested that I replace my charcoal cannister ($30). So they ordered it for me.

About 6 weeks later the light came on again. I still haven't gotten my charcoal cannister from the dealer so I called and they said it was in. When I arrived to pick it up I realized that there were TWO charcoal cannisters on an F-150 (I think '99s have something slightly different but I haven't verified that) and couldn't find the tech to find out which one he suspected leaked. I saw the invoice that the dealer paid for the part, $13.95. He graciously let me have it for $28 +tax.

I got home and removed the whole tray this time and got both of the cannisters out. Basically thes cannisters are set up in series. Each cannister has 2 holes. If you plug one and blow into the other you shouldn't be able to blow through anywhere. Well Both of mine leaked!! So I Silconed the best of the two, installed it and the new one and am in the middle of week two with no light. I am hoping that the silicone will hold and that the pressure is minimal on the cannister. Funny note: I think my light has come on at 1/4 tank the last two times. Maybe I need to keep it full? I will have to talk to my banker and see if thats possible.

I have also been told that the gas cap can be suspect if it is not on tight. But as Redlariet said a couple of trips to the dealer could pay for a code scanner.

I know this has nothing to do with towing but I hope my rant might benefit someone.

I think the ultimate fix is to remove the bulb or tape over it? :-)

Blessings Truckers!

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'98 XLT Supercab SWB
4.6 Auto w/3.55
47,000 miles 15.7mpg avg.
Toredor Red (JL)
Drivers side door crack
Poweraid Spacer(snakeoil)
K&N, Leer Hard Tonneau
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Travicaster@yahoo.com
Yahoo Chat : Travicaster

 

in reply to the check engine light coming on while towing,i have a 97 F250 l/d 4x4 5.4L and i also do alot of towing,i had that happen 3x to me and each time it was the exh.
sensor on r. side just below exhaust manifold.a/c drains right on it.each time they replaced sensor they supposedly rerouted
a/c drain tube.now when light comes on i tell em i need a new sensor.
i have also had the leaking rear window fixed 2x,and then they finally replaced it.
also i have both doors cracked BAD.i am fighting with FORD everyday to get them to pay for repair. so far we are up to 70/30
coverage, 70covered /30 not.CHECK EXHAUST SENSOR.
97 F250 L/D 4X4 5.4L EXT. CAB S/B XLT.
3INCH BODY LIFT
35X12.5X16 SUPER SWAMPER SSR"S


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billyf250