Hello Ford folks,

My 2003 F150 has developed a jumpy stoplight idle. It runs at speed just fine, no problem. But at stoplights, it bucks, and nearly stalls. This morning I replaced the IAC valve, hoping that this would fix the problem, but no such luck. The truck actually stalled at a light today after replacing the IAC.

The "Service Engine Soon" light has been on for a while, and twice I've taken it to the auto parts store to decode the problem. Both times the error code came back as bad PCV valve, so I replaced that valve, but no improvement.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Cheers from Tampa, Rich

 

 

You sure it wasn't a code for a bad EGR valve? That would cause rough idling and stalling whereas a bad PCV valve would not. Like Im50fast said, post the trouble code number here you were given.

 

You can get a basic code reader on Amazon for under $15 that will read codes and clear the SES - Oxgord MS300 OBD2 scanner.

 

Mystery solved! I finally relented and took the truck to the Ford dealer here in Tampa, and they called to tell me the PCV hose had disintegrated, and was creating a vacuum leak. I kick myself for not spotting something so simple. OK, how much to replace the PCV hose? The guy tells me $212.!! Seriously, 212 bucks? I asked him how much the part costs, and he says $30. So I say "You're charging $182 to change a PCV hose? No thanks".

I picked up the truck, drove to the parts store, bought 2 feet of 5/8" vacuum hose, and swapped out the bad hose in 5 minutes. So, using their 5-minute labor charge of $182, this translates to an hourly labor rate of $2184 per hour, which is too pricey for me. I swear they must think we're all idiots. The truck runs just fine now.

Thanks to all who replied to the thread, I appreciate the help.