Hi! I have a 1997 4x4 offroad ext.cab 4.6L with 172,000 miles. I bought it this summer for 10k It drives great! like it was new

This first question is when im starting the truck not after its running. Some times when i crank er up, at the point where i let off the key, at 500 rpms, it will jus shake almost stop running, and then jump up to the normal 1,400 and quicly get down to normal idle revs. Would this possible be caused by a dirty/clogged inline fuel filter. Sometimes this occurs often, but recently it hasnt happend in a about 15 starts.

My headlights seem to be very dim (with the foglights on) i also felt they were low, so i aimed them up more, they seem birghter, but still not nearly as bright as they should be. I figured i would go buy a brighter bulb, i purchased what everyone said was the best Sylvania Sylverstar i belive, took out the drivers side bulb, and they were the same. No easy fix right? My lenses are a darker color than they should be, any tips on cleaning the lenses?

Thanks for your time ! (cmon now this is jus cool)

 

They make plastic polishes to help get rid of the faded platic. I have used Blue Majic also. Works great for a while but have to repolish it ever so often.

As far as the idle it may be the IAC valve needs to be replaced. Someone will chime in here on that one soon.

 

Thank you Tony, What exactly are the IAC Valves?
not to change topic, but could u get me some info on the headlights on your truck?
Very Nice truck by the way

 

The (IAC) valve is Idle Air Control valve. It controls the amount of air that bypasses the throttle valve, which controls your engine idle speed and it's mounted on the throttle body. You can clean them but with your miles you might want to change it. Rich

 

Thank you,
i know i did a poor job of explaining the problem, but its when im actualy starting the truck. (It idles fine, well a little rough every now and then but very intermitent, and very light, i have all the service records from the previous owner, and he brought it in for a rough idle and ford diagnosed, "operating at factory specs.")
I'm not very good at explaining, but its right after you let go of the key, and let the engine take over, it jus gives the truck a good hard shake, and almost kills the engine, and then finishes starting like normal.

 

Have the plugs ever been replaced, fuel filter air filter? There is a list of things to perform for general maintence to keep your engine running smooth, check your log and see when these were performed and go from there. You could also clean the MAF (mass Airflow Sensor). Rich

 

I replaced the plugs shortly after i bought it w/ Bosch Platinum 4's (Yes ive heard all the negative arguments on this website for those plugs but i like them and i feel like they work better w/out any negative sideaffects) The plugs didnt change the problem. The airfilter had been changed by the previous owner right before i bought the truck, that was my question... would a dirty/clogged inline fuel filter cause this problem?
Thanks for your response!

 

Yes it could cause it. If you have tried everything you can, then I hate to tell you this but I would take it in to you local Ford dealer and have them plug it in, they have the equipment to diagnos almost any engine trouble without a trouble code present, then you will know exactly what's wrong and you can decide to fix it yourself or them. Let us all know what happens. Rich

 

You could also clean the MAF (mass Airflow Sensor). Rich

if you remove your air filter and look down the intake tube about where a plug goes into it that is the MAF , have you tried cleaning this..?????

 

Thanks i might get around to cleanin the maf, its not somethin thas really i prblm, i was jus wounderin, thanks for all yalls help!