Hi everyone,
I just joined this site because I purchased a new '05 F-150 and when I was driving to Georgia from S.Florida, the truck started shaking really bad and then the check engine light started flashing. I had to pull over and turn it off and let it sit for a minute. I started the truck again and it was ok after that but when I got back home and took it into the service dept, they said nothing was wrong with it even though the check engine light had flashed on and off. The truck only had alittle over 2,000 miles on it when it happened so I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this and what I could do to ensure it won't happen again.
Thank you,
Christie =)

 

It sounds like your engine started misfiring. That would explain the shaking/shuddering. The fact that the check engine came on and flashed means that a fault was detected by the ECM and it should have stored a code(s). I would take the vehicle to another dealer and see if they can pull any codes. There are SEVERAL technical service bulletin's out for your vehicle that seem to relate to the problem you are having:

Make : FORD Model : F-150 Year : 2005
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 041601 Date of Bulletin: NOV 14, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10018745
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary:
WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT



Make : FORD Model : F-150 Year : 2005
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 05189 Date of Bulletin: OCT 03, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10017802
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary:
MIL ON-VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS-5.4L 3-VALVE ENGINE-VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/20/2005. *TT


Make : FORD Model : F-150 Year : 2005
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 04221 Date of Bulletin: JUN 07, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10013393
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary:
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON WITH MISFIRE DTC'S SPARK KNOCK PISTON SCUFFING. *EH VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 4/25/2005 - 5.4L 3V ENGINE. *TT



Make : FORD Model : F-150 Year : 2005
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 05102 Date of Bulletin: JUN 07, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10017935
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Summary:
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ON AND/OR VARIOUS DRIVEABILITY CONDITIONS - 5.4L 3-VALVE ENGINE - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 4/20/2005. *TT



Make : FORD Model : F-150 Year : 2005
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 05132 Date of Bulletin: JAN 01, 2005
NHTSA Item Number: 10016845
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary:
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0340 AND OR P0344-5.4 3V ENGINE. *SC



Make : FORD Model : F-150 Year : 2005
Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Service Bulletin Num : 031404 Date of Bulletin: AUG 23, 2004
NHTSA Item Number: 10011162
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Summary:
ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04.

Copyright: http://www.nhtsa.gov

Your best bet is to take it to a different dealer and have them diagnose the issue. It seems like the problem is common, judging by the number of TSB's they have out for it. Best of luck.

 

...Welcome Christie to Ford Truck Enthusiasts!

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Enjoy FTE....and
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…..See you on the boards.

 

Thanks for your response. I couldn't believe that they couldn't pull any codes from the computer because I thought that once the light comes on, the code is stored even if the light turns back off. I love my truck but have already brought it in for service 3 times for the check engine light and the A/C and they just keep saying that there is nothing wrong with it.
Thanks alot,
Christie =)

 

Ford has had a lot of problems in the 05 truck and suv 5.4 engines with faulty injectors.I have seen personally at least 7 different vehicles with hydrolocked engines due to these injectors filling the cylinders with fuel.Any dealer sould be able to find this info on Fords protechniian web site.

 

Thanks, should I take it to the service dept and tell them to check to see if this problem is happening with my truck? Is this problem difficult to fix and what causes the fuel to fill into the injectors? I hate dealing with the service dept because it seems like they just don't care whether the car gets fixed or not but maybe if I can tell them specifically what to check for, I will have a greater chance of getting somewhere with the problem.
Thanks alot for the response,
Christie =)

 

Let me know what you find out. I have the same issue; engine will randomly loose power, I get a check engine light, I pull over and restart and it runs fine. I have a code checker and it never throws a code when it happens. I also get a gasoline smell from the vents at idle. The dealership here is worthless and can't/won't attempt to figure out the problem.

 

find a new dealer. some dealers won't get to far into warrnaty work because they make little money.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I think it is time to try another dealer service dept but this one is like 5 minutes from my house but I guess it's worth the drive somewhere else if they will hopefully find something. I think also that I bought my truck from a different dealer than the one I've been bringing it to for service.
Kapoho-Does yours happen often or just once in awhile? Mine only seems to act crazy when I'm driving for extended periods of time. The service lady said the next time the engine light comes on bring it right in...yeah that's easy to do when I'm driving to another state and 4 hours away.
Thanks,
Christie =)

 

I would say it happens about once every 300-500 miles, only traveling at highway speeds (70+ MPH). The gas smell is only present at idle, and gets worse the colder it gets outside. It is very frustrating after explaining the issue to a service department, then hearing "bring it back while it is doing it".

 

LoL, I liked that smiley face at the end of your post. Trust me, I know all about the frustration of trying to explain what the problem is and they just think you made it up because in the 2 seconds that they test drove it, it drove fine.
Christie =)

 

Ask for a diagnostic computer to take with you. They can plug it into the wire harness, and it will store any information from your computer if the truck runs weird.

Sometimes I think the dealer service departments should be called "PR and BS" departments.

Why do they exist then if there is never anything wrong?

 

I say that the best thing to do is take a copy of the TSB's and this thread to a different dealer. If they see that you've done your homework, they won't try and give you the runaround. Also, if they still keep saying nothing is wrong with the vehicle, make sure they document your concern on the work order along with their "Can Not Duplicate At This Time" response. That way if there is any kind of failure (resulting from inaction by the dealer to fix the issue during warranty) when the vehicle is out of warranty, you have proof that you tried to have the issue addressed and they didn't fix it. Good luck .

 

Nand12- That's a good idea for the warranty and work order. I think that because I'm a girl they know that they can just give me the run-around because I don't really know anything about this stuff. Atleast if I bring in the information, particulary the service bulletin related to this issue, they will hopefully put some more effort into it. I'll keep ya'll updated.

Powerdude- The next time I go to get the truck serviced, I'll ask about getting one of the diagnostic computers.

Thanks alot for everyone's help,
Christie =)

 

They stick open and fill the engines cylinders with excess fuel.Usually they store a code in the pcm.Next time try and get them to let you see when the tech hooks up the computer sometimes they just clear whatever is in there and send the vehicle on its way.