Hey Guys,

So I have been having some troubles with my 2003 F150 4.6L lately and I'm really hoping someone can help me.

Truck has been running rough and the check engine llight was on so I decided to get the codes read and I got back P0302 and P0304, which from what I understand is a misfire on cylinders 3 & 4. At the same time I got Ford to do a little diagnostic and this is what they wrote for me:

"The connector for the number 2 coil is broken and will not stay plugged on to the coil and the number 2 coil is not working / replaced the wire for the coil still running rough removed the coil and plug. the plug was very badly fuel soaked started the vehicle to see if there was spark at the plug. OK. Suspect either a injector issue or a compression issue cleaned the plug seems better. "

So of course they quoted me for the works. They say I should replace the coils, plugs, and injectors???

Can anyone help me solve this issue. I am pretty mechanically inclined and think I could change these things myself since I am on a budget. One tech told me is that the plugs can seize in these engines often and could scrap the whole thing??? Seems a little weird. If that happens though what could I do?

Any help as to what I should do would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any input on this issue.

 

Well Ben, You can't get to cheap with this.
First, be sure which cylinders are out.
302 and 304 are cylinders 2 and 4 not 3 and 4.
So you need accurate info to start with.
Then replace any connectors that are broken. They must lock on to be reliable.
Check for results, then go on to the next step.
Are the coil boots in good condition?
Are the plugs in good condition?
You may end up replacing boots and coils.
Until all is solved you will just have a continiuning hassle.
There are no short cuts or cheap ways around any of this.
As an example of diagnostics, I have a mid range scanner and can look into the computer program at the missfire monitors and see problems well before any code is set or light comes on.
The system is very sensitive to missfire so you have nothing to work with but some outside testing and logic.
Go about it and repair those things you know are in need then step along to the rest of the possible causes.
I know it's a hassle but you have no other choice if your going to do it.
Good luck.

 

Start with new coils. I'd do a set rather than just the two bad ones, others are likely to follow. Don't buy cheap ones, I did and ended up chasing new bad coils. A local wholesaler carries the Standard Motor Products (Blue Streak to me) ones and claims they are good ones. I'm going to try them next. I also found these Ford COP Assy and might try them. They have an HD coil as well at hd hiperf cop con set

I'm not affiliated with this company.

The wet plug is likely because that coil isn't firing that plug, fuel just comes and goes through that cylinder.

I too have a bad connector and don't know where to get a replacement, all I can think of is to get a low mileage one from the wreckers and cut off the bad one, soldering and heat shrinking on the replacement. Dealer is probably too much money for new. Perhaps someone could comment about where to get these.

 

Thanks everyone for the advice. I hit up rockauto for my coils and plugs and got a great deal for all eight. Just finished changing them and I am still getting a error code.

I also picked up a ELM327 Bluetooth OBDII reader and paired it up with an app on my phone so I cleared the codes and went for a drive. During the drive I was running the app and pending P0302 came up and finally after about 25min it registered as an error code. This is what it produced. Hopefully this means something to one of you geniuses.

BTW it is running a little better and the misfire in cylinder 4 never came back. It seems to still be running rich. Could it be a MAF sensor? O2 sensor? Fuel injector? I'm drawing a blank on this.

Brand: Ford
Model: f150
Year: 2003
Displacement: 4.6
Comments:

P0302 - Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
PIDs supported [01 - 20] 01111111100110000000000000000000
Freeze DTC P0302
Fuel system status (FSS) Closed loop: using O2 sensor for fuel mix
Calculated engine load value (EngineLoad) 39.21 %
Engine coolant temperature (EGT) 46 °F
Short term fuel % trim Bank 1 (STFT1) 32.03 %
Long term fuel % trim Bank 1 (LTFT1) 0.78 %
Short term fuel % trim Bank 2 (STFT2) 10.93 %
Long term fuel % trim Bank 2 (LTFT2) 2.34 %
Engine RPM (RPM) 1023 rpm
Vehicle speed (Speed) 0 mi/h

 

These is still an issue with cylinder 2 coil or boot.
Pull it and be sure you use dielectric grease inside the boot tip and on it's end at least 1/4" so the boot 'finds' the plug tip and slides down on it and doesn't hang up.
Notice the STFT is high for bank 1 due to that cylinder not not firing.
When you get everything cleared, clear the codes and allow several drive cycles before being too concered about the fuel trims so they have a chance to adjust in.
If they don't, there is some other isues.
Normally if the LTFTs are out of spec a 17x code sets so allow enough time to see what you have.
Good luck.

 

Thank you Bluegrass! I will try that and wait and see about the LTFT's.

 

Hey just received a pending p0401 - insufficient EGR flow. Does this information help solve the initial problem or is this something different. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks