After doing a tune up > problems.
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After doing a tune up > problems.
I recently purchased an '86 Ford F150 with the fuel injected V8 5.0 liter. This morning I installed new plugs, spark plug wires and an air filter. The old plugs were completely rusted out. Now the truck is running really rough. Seems like the timing is off or something. When I accelerate it sputters along and sounds horrible. As I did the spark plug wires I made sure to do them one at a time, tracing each one back to the distributor cap, which by the way seemed a bit loose. I also checked to make sure the spark plugs were gapped correctly.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Roman
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Roman
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Joined: Sep 2001
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After doing a tune up > problems.
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Welcome to Ford Truck Enthusiasts! The Internet's leading Ford TRUCK and SUV Resource!
This thread has been moved from Garage and Workshop Tips forum where we share ideas about how to organize tools, heat the shop, or free that rusty bolt. Unfortunately no truck tech questions are allowed there.
Please take the time to read the headings and notices in each forum. The FTE board is HUGE! We want users to be able to find answers to their questions so it is organized into many areas and search tools are provided.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact a moderator.
Thanks for using FTE!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Memphis, TN
After doing a tune up > problems.
Look it up here, and recheck the plug wire routing. Also, make sure all the plugs are fully screwed in - not crossthreaded. Spray some soapy water (Windex) on the plugs while the engine is cool & running, and watch for bubbles. If you do it near dark, you can also watch for leaking sparks.
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After doing a tune up > problems.
Since this is an EFI truck, you may just need to reset the ECU - the existing data will have been skewed by the dead plugs, etc... Unhook the negative battery terminal, for about an hour, and then start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature. That should reset the ECU to the factory defaults, and allow it to adjust to the new plugs much quicker.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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After doing a tune up > problems.
Thanks for the correction - I usually just say an hour, since various car/truck applications have different combinations of inline caps, etc., to keep from wiping the ECU during transient power losses. An hour will usually wipe anything. 
Where in the 'read this' article was reset procedure discussed? Did I miss something?
Where in the 'read this' article was reset procedure discussed? Did I miss something?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
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From: Memphis, TN
After doing a tune up > problems.
You're right - it wasn't there. I've read documentation on it so much that I assumed I had included it in that thread, but I've added more info off the CD now.
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After doing a tune up > problems.
Two of the wires were crossed on the distributor. While I was checking that out I removed the negative battery cable for an hour and the truck runs great. Thank you very much Steve and Gavin.
Roman
Roman
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After doing a tune up > problems.
Originally posted by steve83
It only takes 5-10 minutes for the KAM to be erased when the EEC loses power, but you shouldn't let it relearn at idle. You should drive it ~10 miles so it learns the real parameters. Read this.
It only takes 5-10 minutes for the KAM to be erased when the EEC loses power, but you shouldn't let it relearn at idle. You should drive it ~10 miles so it learns the real parameters. Read this.
to the positive battery terminal, it will discharge the de-coupling
capacitors in the PCM for the KAM immediately. Because the
KAM draws such a small current, it takes awhile for the de-coupling capacitors to discharge.