In March of '03, I noticed some serious pinging in my 02 Edge's 3.0 V6 no matter what octane I run. I took it to the dealership where I bought it, and they "recalibrated the PCM module". Needless to say, it didn't work. I took it back to them this past Monday, and the technician claimed he couldn't hear the engine ping. To get a second opinion, I took it to another nearby Ford dealership. According to the invoice, "Road test and verified pinging. Run SSMS and TS BS. NGS tests - no codes. Install green card and flash cable and retard timing". My question is, can anyone put that into English, and, is this a temporary or permanent attempt to fix my problem?

 

Sounds like they retarded the timing on your engine, and my guess is that the procedure they used is related to what I was commenting on in this recent thread: Still hunting for the solution...

 

Well, here's what happened...I went to my local Ford dealer and they took a look at my truck to check the numbers on the coil and PCM. As it turned out they didn't need to be replaced because the identification numbers on them were O.K. However, the goodnews was that they found my MAF sensor to be bad--its voltage was reading too high at idle. They explained that this can cause a truck to really ping!

It did surprise me that my MAF sensor was bad though because I had cleaned it a few weeks earlier and it looked fine. I guess one of those can go bad and in all appearances look O.K. My truck never had the check engine light come on as I assumed it would if there was an electrical sensor malfunction. I was also surprised as my truck was made in 2000 and only has 50,000 miles on it. It doesn't appear that the MAF sensor is very durable.

Now my truck no longer pings on 87 octane gas which makes me extremely happy! The bad news is that the MAF sensor cost me $170 for the part alone (this was not including labor). However, I am just glad to have the pinging gone. After trying everything else that I have tried it is nice to get to the bottom of the pinging mystery. Note: Before this I replaced the spark plugs, fuel filter, PCV valve, air filter, cleaned TB, cleaned MAF sensor, ran fuel injector cleaner, etc... These aforementioned changes did help my truck to run really smooth but it still pinged when the engine was warm and under any load at all.

Hope this helps someone else out there with a pinging problem. I think these MAF sensors may be causing a lot of the pinging problems that people are talking about.

PS The Ford dealership agreed with Ken that the PCM replacement would be covered under the emmissions warranty if it were defective.

 

Umhhh, I *think* that the MAF sensor should ALSO be covered by the factory emissions warranty. If the MAF is telling the ECM it is flowing XXX cfm and actually it is flowing YYY, then one would think that the emissions control would be wrong... Check your owners manual AND emissions control manual for what is covered by the various warranties. Thatza lotta clams if you can get them to cover it. I can understand plugs, wires, cap rotor, etc, as they wear out with use, but a MAF? not. You should notice a huge increase in gas mileage as the engine is not fighting itself any more. That SURELY should indicate that there was an emissions problem... all fuel burned is eventually flowed out the exhaust to atmosphere, so if the mileage was bad, the emissions should have been bad too...
tom

 

Hello Tom and thanks for the info. You are right, that would be a lot of clams if it is covered. I have checked my owner's manual and can't seems to find anything that would help. I could be over looking it though. I don't seem to have an emmissions control manual. Do you of know where I could find one online?

You are right about the increase in gas mileage. I used to get about 17-21 mpg but since my MAF sensor was replaced I get 20 in town and 25 on the highway! I think that this is extremely good for a V6 pickup that is slightly lifted (Trailhead package).

Take care,

John

 

Now's a good time to get friendly with your dealer or local zone rep. If they don't help, then your local (state) auto emissions bureau or the Fed EPA should have something to say. The emissions component warranty has been extended from the original 5/50,000 to 8/80,000 I believe... So's they oughta cover it...
tom

 

Thanks for the help Tom. I will check into this further and let you know how it turns out.

John

 

Another interesting discussion of possible pinging solutions(s) here: Pinging Thread (FRT)

 

Thanks for the feed back guys!

I'll let you know what I find out at Mazda next Tuesday.

This seems like such a common problem that I think Ford should be on top of this?

More later and thanks!
jb

 

Just a quick update on the emmissions saga and the MAF sensor. I checked with them and they explained that the 8/80,000 applies to 4 of the major emmissions components but doesn't include the MAF sensor. From what they said the MAF sensor is covered under the 3/36,000 mile warranty. It was sure worth a try though. The pinging saga continues...

 

I'm not sure, but I wouldn't take their '4 covered...' bla bla hooey as 'truth'. I'd want to see the 'emissions warranty certificate' or pamphlet that came with your model year vehicles. It would list the covered components, and this '4 items' sounds fishy to me. If the MAF doesn't work right at 40,000 miles, won't it fail emissions test?? Hunh, dealer guy? I do not believe them, sorry. Check with EPA online, or with your state auto emissions control dept.
tom

 

You're right, I shouldn't give up so easily. I will check into it a little further. I'll keep you posted.

John