OK guys hope you can help a bit. I have a 04 SD 5.4 Automatic. The truck has at this time 17400 mile on it. It appears to run rough at odd times. I have had it to the dealer and they never find any thing wrong. It appears to be when I am set at a certain speed. This weekend I was down in PA on a camping trip and was following 2 other SD up a hill. All of a sudden the truck started spuddering. I got no "idiot light" and as soon as I let off and stepped on the gas everything was fine. After a few minutes it did the same thing. It never happened the rest of the trip.

To give you some more insight.....With 26 miles on my truck it died on the freeway (on the way home from the dealer no less...bad omen ther) and after 2 new injectors and a new computer everything was ok. In the last 6 months this has happened a few times. I always attributed it to bad gas as I live in the sticks. Last month I drove my truck for work and had it happen. the truck was loaded with equipment and was running so rough the cruise kept shutting off. Once back to work it was fine on the way home. That night I hooked my camper (very light @ 4300 lbs...21' surveyor..) and set the cruise on the highway. Same thing again.

The next mornig I took the unit to the dealer. I was informed that they found nothing and I should not tow with the cruise control on. I have never got a code or a light when this happens. It has been to the dealer at least 4 times and they never find a problem.

So looking for some help on this....The runnign problem is my major concern, however whats your opinions on towing with cruise. I have had a F150 and towed a 32' camper to VA and back ad also used mine to tow my 21' to virginia with no issues. I have been told by others that they all use cruise while towing. Your thoughts.

The other thign i was told by one person was my torke converter may be slipping...does this sound right....

I'd like to get some info to help the dealer fix this....before my warranty is up.

Jeff

 

Well the skip sounds like a ignition issue or a connection. Sounds like maybe one cylinder is missfiring. Hard to tell if I'm not driving it. The coils are known to cause problems esp if you wash your motor, Don't. Or maybe even a computer issue.
You need to get the dealer to fix this issue. Keep on them...Tow with cruise on the flat sure no problem as long as its not going in and out of od.

 

My 1800 mile old 5.4 is messed up as well. The dealer replaced two injectors and spark plugs. They started the engine and heard valve train noise. They now say that some of the lifters collapsed probably due to fuel in the oil. They have to order lifters. I have a sinking feeling that this engine will not be reliable in the future. I have already filed a complaint with Ford customer relations and told them I want a new truck. On top of that, I had to cancel a camping vacation due to no tow vehicle and will have to rent a car in the meantime. Ford will not provide a loaner car. This sucks!

 

I just towed with my 05 5.4 700miles in cruise with the tow button engaged. Had no problems. In tow mode, the only difference is that the shift point are higher and will power shift down when braking hard.

Hootbro

 

Had this problem a few times. '99 SD 5.4L. I see that you had already taken it to a dealer, but my suggestion is to take it back to the dealer unless they don't have one of the fancy computers. Get it hooked up to their nifty machine and then take it for a drive with the computer hooked up. This is what I needed done twice so far. Once back around 80,000mi and then just recently at 115,000mi. The computer should show what cylinder(s) is missing and change the coil pack or COP however you want to say it. I recommend paying out the *** for the motorcraft COPs seeing as how this last time the one misfiring was the COP I had replaced before with the cheap $50 COP from Autozone.

 

My old 01 250 with the 5.4 had a simlar problem. Would stumble under light load between 2nd and 3rd gear. Turned out to be a coil pack. Would not do it all the time. Seemed like it would do it go over a large over pass. If I jumped on it. It would run fine.
I hope this helps.