Please help identifying loose plug
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Please help identifying loose plug
Hello all, I have a 1998 e250 van with the 5.4 v8
I was recently checking over the vehicle after buying it from an auction. On the driver side wheel well there is a plug on the wheel wall that isn't connected to anything. The dash is throwing the service engine light, could this be part of the problem??
I was recently checking over the vehicle after buying it from an auction. On the driver side wheel well there is a plug on the wheel wall that isn't connected to anything. The dash is throwing the service engine light, could this be part of the problem??
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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No.
I have same not-connected plugs in the wheel wells of my 97 5.4.
I always assumed they were for ABS or something else this creeper van doesn't have.
Get the codes scanned. It's the only way to know where to start looking.
How's it run?
I have same not-connected plugs in the wheel wells of my 97 5.4.
I always assumed they were for ABS or something else this creeper van doesn't have.
Get the codes scanned. It's the only way to know where to start looking.
How's it run?
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Thanks for the reply.
It starts normal in both cold and hot weather but i can hear the rpm slightly going up and down while idleing in Park. When I press the gas it hesitates and studders until higher rpm. At higher rpm it seems to run and shift fine but when taking of from a stop it feels underpowered, hesitates and sputters til about 3500rmp. When I'm cruising at about 30-35mph and give gas it feels sluggish and underpowered, it shudders the cab slightly.
I'm saving to get the transmission serviced and a new set of spark plugs.
The dip stick checks out fine, no smell or dark color in either engine oil or atf. It could use an oil change.
Thanks
It starts normal in both cold and hot weather but i can hear the rpm slightly going up and down while idleing in Park. When I press the gas it hesitates and studders until higher rpm. At higher rpm it seems to run and shift fine but when taking of from a stop it feels underpowered, hesitates and sputters til about 3500rmp. When I'm cruising at about 30-35mph and give gas it feels sluggish and underpowered, it shudders the cab slightly.
I'm saving to get the transmission serviced and a new set of spark plugs.
The dip stick checks out fine, no smell or dark color in either engine oil or atf. It could use an oil change.
Thanks
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
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If the CEL is on, get it checked soon, don't keep driving it around, as what ever problem has shown up an threw a code, turning the CEL on, could cause more major problems.
You can pull into most parts stores, like Autozone, and they will plug a code reader in to pull the codes, for free, to at least give you an idea what the problem might be, if not pin point the problem.
From what you write on the running condition, could be a COP not firing, causing a misfire, or other words, only running of 7 cylinders.
If you keep driving it that way, you could cause other problem to show up
You can pull into most parts stores, like Autozone, and they will plug a code reader in to pull the codes, for free, to at least give you an idea what the problem might be, if not pin point the problem.
From what you write on the running condition, could be a COP not firing, causing a misfire, or other words, only running of 7 cylinders.
If you keep driving it that way, you could cause other problem to show up
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Thanks guys for the info. I've been reading around these forums about the 5.4 giving problems with the spark plugs breaking/blowing out, threads stripping, and cylinders misfiring. I paid $1600 at auction without taking a mechanic with me. I hope I didn't waste my money...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,100
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You mis-read a lot of info, most of the problems with the 5.4 engine spitting plugs were with the 3 valve engines, which the vans, E-series, never had.
That mostly concerns the F-series (pick-up's) from like '01 to '03.
I wrote that you could have just a problem with a COP, which is more common on the vans, you could have bad plugs too, left in too long, and deteriorated.
Why guest at what could be wrong, when a simple code reader will pin point the problem with out throwing parts into it. The whole principal of the OBD II system.
Get the codes read, and get back here with the results
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