I am trying to help a buddy with his truck. It is a 2004 f-150 with the 5.4. When you are driving the truck at a steady throttle and you come up on a slight grade that you just slightly need to accelerate, the truck will miss and sputter. If you accelerate harder, it will quit sputtering and run like normal. If you hold it steady, it continues to sputter until the speed levels off. The CEL will come on if you keep it sputtering for 10 or so seconds, but it goes off when the sputtering stops. It also does the same thing if you are at highway speed, let off for a second and go to speed back up. Does it sound like throttle position sensor?

 

More then likely you need to change the spark plugs. Mine did this exact same thing. Changed the spark plugs and they were really worn out. Runs perfect again.

also what are the codes from the Check engine light? That could help you find out what is going on.

What is the mileage on the truck?

 

We have not had a chance to run the codes, but would they still be in there with the CEL light not staying on?
The truck has 200,000 miles on it.

 

Mudslinger, Mine did that same thing last year also. Agree with Wolfy. Spark plug change was all it needed. I was afraid of them breaking before I took it to the repair shop because I had heard of the horror stories, but they only broke one upon removal. Runs fine ever since. Except for a unrelated problem.

 

Thanks guys, I will tell him what you have said.

 

Mudslinger, does the cruise control work. If not, what you are describing could be the throttle body worn out. If TPS or throttle body not functioning properly the cruise control won't work.

 

Yes, the cruise control works fine.