The wrench light comes on and the truck runs rough when I start up cold. Seems to only do it when I dont let it warm up a lot. Then, if I shut it down and restart, it runs fine. This has only happened twice, and it runs great other than this little glitch. I just drove a 500 mi. one way trip without issue. Anyone else had a similar observation? Thanks in advance.

Ryan
2004 F150 5.4 SCab

 

Well, this looks like a new twist to the unresolved limp mode problems.

I'm not sure why it's only happening cold, as most of us have it happen at any time. Either way, it's probably just a matter of time before you find yourself powerless and running on 2-cylinders. I don't know of a cure yet. Looks like you're another victim. Bummer.

Please keep us up to date, as many of us are looking for answers...since Ford can't figure it out.

 

You seem to be having so much trouble with your truck. Why not trade it in for a Chevy, Dodge, or Tundra? Would it not be best to cut your losses and headaches early on?

 

Toreador - why should he make his life even more miserable !!!

 

Lol. I don't have anything against Chevies or the other truck brands. I've owned many sizes and brands. The Ford was picked because of it's performance. If I had the problems described here (and there's still a chance I will) I'd be the same fighting tooth and nail to get it resolved. If not resolved time to move on. Nothings perfect for every person in life. Fight the good fight.

 

Nah. It just goes into limp mode and runs on 4 cylinders once a day. Vibrates weird, and the gas gauge doesn't work. I can live with all the other little problems. BTW, I'm not the only one.

I'd love to cut my losses. Unfortunately, I can't afford to. Maybe you could pick up the tab for me? Besides, I'm a Ford guy at heart, and I like the truck...in kind of a love-hate way.

 

I,ve had the same problem as you. First, my trucks wrench light came on and the truck ran like crap, and then the passenger air bag light comes on and goes off when ever it wants to, and now my gas guage quits working!! What the hell is up with these trucks? Man, you borrow 30 grand for a vehicle, and all we have is junk!! I knew I should have bought a Toyota Tacoma. I like the way my truck rides, but this is rediculus. If FORD cant do better than this, they are sure to lose customers. The bad part is, that there service Dept. doesnt have a clue on how to fix the problems! Im as sick as can be with this truck. Its pretty, but it is a thorn in my side, and the payments dont stop!!!!

 

Just to keep people informed. My father just unloaded his '02 Chevy 1500 because of a strange rearend vibration that was fixed only after they replaced the rearend. I just traded in my 01 GMC because I couln't keep it out of the shop. This wasn't the reason I sold my truck but the fuel guage didn't work right in the GMC either. Most of my friends had problems with their guages also, 1998 and newer. Dodge has a problem with their transmissions and Toyota has always been too small. I'm 6'2 285lbs.

 

That's intresting Carolina. Our trucks are twins. What was the attempt by Ford to fix it? What is your build date?

 

I see others have the problems and are trying to get it fixed. I'm impressed with their and your loyalty to the brand. I doubt I would be so loyal after all that effort.

I plan to hit the Power Ball numbers shortly. When I do I promise to pick up the tab for you!!!

 

They say its might be a problem with the computer, but they havnt got a fix yet. Ive learned on my on, and through this website that you can solve the problem temporarly by disconnecting the battery cables. I did that and everything is working fine right now, but how long, I dont know!! Its just sad that we have problems like this, when they cost so much!! Seems like FORD would have tested them more than they did before they put them on the market!! Bugs, bugs, and more bugs!!! Im tired already!! At least they should send out a recall notice and let their service departments learn how to fix the problems, because I can see that Im not the only one having problems!! Frustrating as crap, if you know what I mean!!! The payments dont stop either!!!

 

CarolinaODM...funny you mention disconnecting the neg battery cable for a quick reset of the computer. I work with commercial jets, and the newer ones with all the electronic controls (fly-by-wire, full authority digital engine controls, auto-everything) like the Airbus, MD11...they all have idiot quirks in their computer systems that are solved by removing power temporarily. They will come in completely clean, no squawks in the last 3 flight legs, yet on the next blockout the flaps/slats fault on extension. Solution? Reset the computers. Flight management system won't update? Reset.

These F150's are on the leading edge of incorporating that kind of technology, and that's evident in the throttle system. When everything works, its great. But every now and then the computer will puke itself and needs to be reset. Is this a good thing? Yes when it works. But given the demand for fuel efficiency and safety, computers will be controlling all new vehicles, and these quirks will continue to play out, not just with the 150 but others as well. (Some of the 150's faults are clearly bad components, like throttle bodies or throttle position sensors, and those need to be replaced for a fix).

The guys fixing your truck are true "technicians", no longer just good wrenches, they need full awareness of electronics, sensors, and digital systems. This is a major learning curve (industry-wide), and it doesn't help that they are only just getting their service manuals even though the vehicle has been out since last year!

I hope the specific bugs on these 150's get worked out, but as far as life with more and more sophisticated computers in our vehicles goes, we can expect an occasional bout of digital dry heaves where the only fix needed is to reset the computer.