I have come to learn that the used F150 that I bought was running a "reprogrammed" computer chip that could have been giving me a good idle, and great fuel economy as described above. When I took my p/u in for the work to be done on u-joints they also did a fuel line reposition recall and "remapped" my computer, whiping out the performance "reprogramed" computer and restoring the factory settings.

Could this explain my experience?

Is there anyone in the south centeral PA area that would re-program my computer with performance and lean characteristics? Thus keeping me from buying a reprogrammer for $300 or a Diablo chip for $200.

 

I'm glad that I'm not the only one experiencing this problem. I took delivery of my truck in late May 1999. I first noticed a rough idle in August after about 4000 miles. I took it in and, of course, they didn't find anything. I put up with the rough idle for a few years before taking it back twice this week. They hooked up a WBDS diagnostic tester and found nothing. I was informed the WBDS is a superior tester to the SBDS. I don't know. After they called me to pick up my truck I researched this web site. Seems to be a trend with some 5.4L motors. Apparently not all 5.4L engines have this problem. Armed with some info from this site I proceeded to get my truck and met with the customer service rep. He summoned the mechanic who serviced my truck and the mechanic proceded to tell me he had no reson to check timing, #4 coil, idle air control, or pull out any other equipment to check anything mechanical. He did say he checked the EGR control and it checked good. I asked about a flight recorder and they don't have one. The technician said it's normal to have a little miss and if it happens again to bring it back. I proceeded to go home and lo and behold it started idling rough. I summoned the customer service guy and he admitted the rough idle and that it shouldn't do that. We also noticed when you punch the gas the engine revs ok but is rough when going back to idle. He agreed it shouldn't do that either. I casually mentioned the next time would be the third time for the same problem and according to Fla. lemon law I can start proceedings. He countered by saying I'd have to pay the mileage and I casually pointed out to him 19,000 miles is nothing. I took it back the next day for rough idle and rough deceleration. The service manager and chief mechanic took it out for a test drive and of course didn't find anything. I informed them it's fine while driving. The problem is at idle both in and out of gear. I was invited to bring it back after the weekend and they'd keep the work order open. I have yet to be told it's a characteristic of the 5.4L. I'm prepared for that. I have test driven other 5.4L Fords and they didn't have that problem. I know it's a short saga compared to what some of you have went through. I'm prepared mentally to be told there's nothing they can do. Thanks to all for their suggestions. Without you guys I don't know where I'd be on this problem. Probably just accepting it. I'll keep you posted.

 

Mike,
Sorry to hear you are having trouble with your truck. I just completed the FORD DISPUTE SETTLEMENT program with the troubles I am having with my 1999 f150 5.4. I though that they would settle the case and give me a replacement but I was mistaken. I didn't get anything from them. My next step is to contact a lawyer and use the lemon law against them. My best advice is for you to.

1. If your truck is idling rough take it to the dealership,(while it's idling rough if possible ) and have the dealership general manager, the service manager, the head service tech, and anyone else that will look and see it idling rough while it's running. (before you turn it over for another repair)
2. Get the full name of anyone that sees your truck idling rough and acknowledges it.
3. When you turn your truck over for repairs, make sure the service writter writes down exactly what your symptoms are. When you recieve your reciept make sure each and every problem is worded the same as you told them when they took they truck in. DO NOT LET THEM LEAVE AN OPEN SERVICE REPAIR TICKET. MAKE A NEW ONE EVERYTIME YOU BRING THE TRUCK IN. IT IS IN YOUR BEST INTREST IF YOU HAVE TO GO TO ARBITRATION OR COURT.
4. Never leave the dealership without a reciept!!!!!! No matter how little the repair is. EVEN IF THEY JUST LOOK AT THE TRUCK!!! HAVE IT DOCUMENTED!!!!!
5. Each time you take you truck for repairs and they couldn't find a problem make sure you call FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE and complain. Each time you do they will take you vin# and it will atleast be in their system as a complaint. TAKE NAMES OF EVERY ONE YOU TALK TOO, DATE, TIME, AND GENERALTOPIC CONVERSATION.
6. Keep taking the truck back to the dealership as many times as humanly possible.
7. Most importantly take very good notes. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING!!!!!! Every time you call the dealership, ford, or talk to anyone about the problem write it down somewhere. The more proof you have that you have tried to get your truck fixed the better off you will be.

I wish I knew then what I know now. I would have done all of the above and then some. I wish you luck with your truck. If you need any other information let me know and I will help all I can. Check out the site below and add yourself to it.


home.pacbell.net/donw35/f150

 

Dropped off my '97 F150 with the 5.4L and recent rough idle. This thing made the interior rattle and shake, but the rpm's never stumbled-steady the whole time. I changed the plugs and had the injectors cleaned-no help. From reading these posts I dropped it off at Ford with 49,000 miles on it. Got a call an hour later saying my #4 coil was bad, hose above coil is leaking and upper O2 sensor on that side is bad. I had no "check engine" light or anything. Worst news is they want $560 to repair! I told them I'd pick it up in 10 minutes and not to touch anything!! Parts for the coil and O2 sensor are only @$100. What's the fix for the leaky hose? Different style clamp or what? What are my chances of this really being all that is wrong? I sure hope it's not going to be an ongoing trial and error problem. Thanks for all the info guys!

 

KNIGHT,
IF IT IS TRUELY THE HEATER HOSE LEAKING ABOVE THE #4 COIL. WHICH IS VERY EASY TO DETERMINE. I WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM MYSELF. LOOK FOR DISCOLORATION OF THE HEATER HOSE AROUND THE PASSANGER REAR CYLINDER. THE HOSE RUNS OVER THE TOP OF THE VALVE COVER. REPLACE THE HOSECLAMP WITH A SCREW TYPE AND NOT THE FACTORY SPRING TYPE. CHANGE THE COIL ALSO( PRICE AROUND $50) ACCORDING TO OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THEIRS CHANGED. I DONT KNOW HOW MUCH THE O2 SENSOR COST. BUT FOR SURE YOU CAN REPAIR IT FOR WAY LESS THAN THE $560 THEY TOLD YOU. GOOD LUCK AND KEEP IN TOUCH

 

I picked my truck up Monday from the dealer for the 3rd time. Of course it's not fixed. The tech says it's the result of Ford leaning out the engine to get better gas mileage thus causing the rough idle. The tech felt the rough idle and said his does the same thing. He said to take it to other dealers around town and they'd tell me the same thing. I went home and researched the Fla. lemon law and decided to fill out the paperwork to tell Ford they have one more chance to fix it before going before an arbitration board. I wouldn't go this route if Ford or the dealer would do some indepth troubleshooting and maybe change a few things. I feel they're not trying to find a cure to the problem. In the meantime, I think I'll take my truck to another mechanic to see what he says. This should give me some support for my claim and validate the problem. The saga continues...... but not for long.

 

still no real cure then??

 

I havenot been here for awhile, but I thought I would let anyone that cares that I sent in my paperwork to the dispute settlement board. -- I did not ask for a replacement -- but just more troubleshooting to be done on my truck.

 

Markmizzou,
Is the dispute settlement board run by Ford.
If you don't get satisfaction from the board can you then invoce the Lemon Law?I need to know if I should do the board then the lemon law or go right to the lemon law. I believe thay are two different entities.
Thansk,
Truckowner

 

What exactely does this engine balance thing mean.
Where can I find more info about this TSB.

 

JUST WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW THAT I AND MY ROUGH IDLE ARE STILL AROUND. STILL HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING THAT I WOULD EVEN HELP MY TRUCK. I AM NOW OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY AND CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR MY TRUCK. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFO ON ONE LET ME KNOW. THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND I WILL KEEP EVERYONE INFORMED ON MY STATUS.

 

 

UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TRIED JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN TO GET OUR TRUCKS FIXED. I AM STILL THINK THAT IT'S A COMPUTER PROBLEM. IF I CAN FIND SOMEONE LOCAL THAT HAS THE SAME ENGINE AND TRANS SETUP THAT I HAVE, I WILL ASK IF THEY MIND SWAPPING COMPUTERS FOR AWHILE. IF YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS TOPIC AS MUCH AS SOME OF US ARE YOU WOULD FIND MANY ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE IDLE PROBLEM BUT I DONT EVER REMEMBER ANYONE SWAPPING THEIR WHOLE COMPUTER OUT. IF SOME OF THE OTHER REGULARS COULD ALSO TRY AND DO THIS WE COULD SWAP NOTES. AS ALWAYS THIS TOPIC WILL REMAIN OPEN AND UPDATED BY ME AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. MAYBE ONE DAY WE CAN GET OUR TRUCK FIXED CORRECTLY.

 

Someone suggested that we may be having fuel injector problems. Has anyone with the idle problems changed their injectors??? Has it helped?? Has anyone changed size from stock to another with more or less pounds (I think that is how they are rated 19lbs, 24lbs, 30lbs etc ???) If so does it require computer changes?? Or anything else that will affect how the engine runs??

 

Extended warranties are a waste of money. Kind of like life insurance. If you were to take the same monthly "payment" money and put it aside collecting interest by the time you expire you'll have more than the insurance in the bank. Plus, when you need to "collect" there usually some fine print that says "f*ck you - no payout".
(unless your truck is ready to implode or something)

If you've already replaced the plugs, wires, coil packs, cleaned injectors, etc, etc, etc.

Has anyone done a compression test on every cylinder?
Tranny oil level?
Replaced factory y-pipe (if rough idle from new)?

Just a thought.:o