I took my truck to the Ford dealership to have the test run on the coils.Mechanic came out and asked me to drive truck and show him what the problem was. He said the computer was not showing any misfires. We drove around a while so he could check different things, come to find out when I accelerated the spark advance went backwards,in other words no advance until around 3000 rpms.Then it went to normal.The timing is dead on at idle.He was as puzzeled as I was. He said to check to see if the crankshaft pulley or ckps was loose.Both were tight so I guess I am going to change the sensor and see if that helps.He said the sensor goes off and on when it is going bad and shows a code but to try it anyway.Who knows I really am begining to wonder if I should have bought a Ford , I nevver had any problems like this with 7 Chevys and 1 Dodge!Has anyone else had any of these problems?

 

Since we did not test drive this vehicle, can you tell us in your words what this vehicle is running like, does it run sluggish, is there a missfire every now and then, does the engine bog on take off from a standstill, is throttle responce to vehicle motion or engine responce not quite what you expected. In most cases you do not have to throw parts at a Ford like Chebby or Dodge, so replacing your sensors just for the heck of it, send me your throw away money please, Helps us so we can help you,.

The next issue at hand is your little tid bit about Ford, I can tell you this, you've seen what the others have to offer, don't let alittle issue stand in your way of running a real mechanical device. 31 years in the business pulling the wrenches, hands down GM needed to redesign the small block since its inception in 1956 and the Dodge oh my....to many issues to start on that one, but if it was not for the Cummins Diesel or the Mini Van, Dodge would have gone under long ago. They never did build a good truck that could withstand anything, they have a good way of making there doors sound like tin cans on closing, but just incase you want to gloat anymore about your Dodge or Chebby, please take it somewhere else, this is a Ford site, Dodge or GM has no name here. And by the way, retarted is spelled retarded......thats for you Dodge and GM guys....

 

Now now....no reason to be a...well, nevermind...there are other forums for that kind of thing. Please don't go and ruin these great forums for everyone else.



newtofordtrucks:
Your truck is around 7 or so years old. Sensors go bad from time to time no matter the make or model. It's more of a luck of the draw kinda thing. Things to look at would be the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor. They are fairly easy to remove (crankshaft is harder than camshaft) and real easy to check. You can hook a multimeter across them set to measure AC voltage. Swing a screwdriver or wrench back and forth near the face ( the part that points toward the shaft). It should be magnetic and it should show a small AC voltage output if it is good. Typically when they fail, the core opens in them. You can see this by switching the meter to ohms. It should read somewhere between 1k and 3k ohms. Hope this helps! Also, you might think about picking up a chilton or haynes manual for your truck given it's age. They can answer many of your questions and are good aids in troubleshooting.

 

Hey thanks for the advice.As for the spelling bee champion,I just stated facts.The head machanic at the Ford dealership I took it to couldn't tell me what the problem is.The computer said it was running fine except when I began accelerating.The truck feels like it is holding back when it gets to 2000 rpms and smooths out around 3000.It does it every time I drive it and is alot worse when I hook my boat behind it.Could the knock sensor be retarding the timing and if so wouldn't it show a code?I relly like the truck but it is a little frustrating when a Ford certified machanic says,"I DON'T KNOW, YOU CAN LEAVE IT HERE AND WE WILL TINKER WITH IT AND SEE IF WE CAN FIGURE IT OUT" I just want to find out what is wrong with it!I have a Haymes book ,I just figured that since I was going to have the camshaft sensor out, it culdn't hurt to change it.Also, where is the knock sensor on a 5.4L. My book doesn't tell.

 

From everything you've said so far, it sure sounds like an ignition issue. You can also check the knock sensor by tapping the cylinder head lightly with a hammer and watching the timing. It should retard when you tap it.

There a several pretty darn bright fellows that hang out here and in the 4.6/5.4L forum. Just give them some time.

How long has it been this way? How many tanks of fuel?

I'm not positive about the '98's, but I think the knock sensor is mounted to the passenger side head, under the intake manifold. You should be able to see it.

While the mechanic was watching the timing, did he check the fuel trim, or even fuel pressure at the rail? And while I'm at random thoughts, have you ever changed the fuel filter?

 

Thank you, thats what you did not tell us 12 hours ago, how about it feels like it is holding back and smooths out at 3000 rpm's. Sounds to me like a clogged catalytic converter, just has not set a code yet for catalytic converter efficiency, and by the way, I am not a spelling bee champion, I was trying to figure out if you where calling your Ford a lemon, (tart), but apperently I was wrong on your post, so I am sorry for me missunderstanding what you ment, as far as the ignition timing, I have yet to hear anyone interested in doing something the computer is taking care of like timing control, have your mechanic run an exhaust backpressure test before the catalytic converter. The knock sensor in the Ford is poor at best, it will not set a code even if the Mass Air Flow is out of calibration and letting the engine run totally lean pinging all the way to the fuel station for premium gas.

 

Thanks guys for the input.The truck has been doing this for about six weeks now.I have ran 3 tanks with fuel injection cleaner and was planning to have the fuel filter changed but I didn't think that fuel pressure would retard the timing.I am going to have it changed to see if that helps.As for the catalytic converter, that had crossed my mind but again I didn't know if that would retard the timing.I have been trying to do everything I can think of to avoid a huge bill at the Ford place.Do you have to take the intake off to change the knock sensor?Would the fuel pressure or catalytic converter cause retarded timing?by the way,apology accepted.

 

Has the MAF sensor been cleaned?

 

Fuel pressure under spec. will cause a lean engine ignition missfire, you have not stated you have a missfire, so fuel is not the issue. Replace the fuel filter just for maintenance and try it, they don't cost that much, just a hassle to replace on the trucks stuck back in the frame beside the fuel tank, no room to work.

Mass Air Flow (MAF) being dirty could be the issue, most of the Ford's though when the MAF is dirty cause an engine ping that most of the time do not go away with premium fuel. I'm not saying that is not the issue, I just have not seen one be sluggish in engine rpm performance.

I have not had a cat clog on this era yet while watching for timing control, engineers could have changed something from the good days of distributor controls, maybe I should say exhaust system clog, maybe the cat has come apart and broken into pieces and clogged the muffler, that has happened also, just have to test in two places, one before the cat and one before the muffler, I would think if the cat came apart though, you should get a catalytic converter efficiency code.

There is only so many items that cut off rpm, and make sluggish, clogged exhaust components do this well and since there is no codes, most of the time without codes means that it is somewhere other than the PCM system.

1990 era Lincoln Continentals, Sables and Taurus with the 3.8 had an issue of sluggish performance, problem came down to the corrugated flex pipe in the exhaust system, they would internally collaps causing this sluggish can't get out of its own way issue.

There is a test kit available to help you test for exhaust system backpressure.
Very easy test.

Hope this helps you, keep us informed.

 

I cleaned the MAF sensor, didn't help.I'm gonna have fuel pressure and exhaust pressure tested Monday. I'll keep you posted.

 

Well guys 3 weeks and counting at Ford dealer.The 2 guys working on it have ran every test they have and still no explanation. They said they were going to call Ford Monday and give the engineers the values the computer read and see if they could figure out the problem.There has to be some explanation for this problem.Anyone got one?According to the computer everything is fine.Please someone help!!!!

 

Eatin chevys and Excreting dodges LOL!
Bummer bought the truck man.

Man u are giving history lessons in here!!! tell the dude how to fix it...gaaa!

 

In '98 I believe that it uses the COP system. It could be a bad COP or 2, or a bad TPS. If the TPS is reading in range, it won't set a code. So if it's going bad it may not throw a code.