Hi all, 1st time using this.
97 step side purchased used. Runs/drives/steers fine. Has a theft system (Diablo 2) and a radical stereo system w/amp installed. After I purchased this, I noticed different problems, all could be related.
1. When I engage the overdrive on the highway (above 65) it starts to buck and kick when going up up the slighest incline (solenoid acting up?)
2.CHECK ENGINE light comes on and it will stay on for 50 miles or so and go off. There are times the engine will stumble and the light will illuminate. Had the codes pulled/said it was the IAC/REPLACED it, but the light still comes on every now and then.
3. Speedometer stops working at times/ smack the dash and it continues to work.

Any advice on what I may try? Pull the security and stero system out and start over?? Any comments would be appreciated.

 

not sure if this is related to your problem but may be good info for you to have anyway. I have a 97 f-150 4.6 which had some crazy different electrical problems. The radio would loose power for short time then come back on. the headlights and tailights would stop working every now and then. A couple times ALL the idiot lights would come on at startup but then when restarted would be off again. all the problems would be intermintent so very hard to diagnose. best description was the truck was haunted, haha.

I found on this site that evidentaly the 97's had a bad windshield sealent and would leak. water then would make its way down back behind the dash and into the fuse box. behind the fuse box is whats called a GEM (general electrical management) module. the water causes all kind of strange problems with this module shorting out. This module controls all kinds of things radio, lights, ECM, etc.

mine definatly has the leak I could see signs of water stains. my problem is intermitant and has no engine related problems so I have not fixed it yet for 2 reasons. 1) my windshield recently was cracked and I definatly need a new one so I want to fix this before the module. 2) priced this part out. only available at the stealer and they want $250.00 for it. Also if you do go get one get the part number off the old one first. Evidently there are about 6 different types depending on what equipment the truck has on it.

Check and see if there is any sign of moisture down by the fuse box and behind it. if there is, there is a good chance this may be related to your problem. if you have the leak and the GEM is not your problem it is still something to look at since there is countless posts on this board related to the 97's leaking windshield and related electrical problems. not realy sure how you would test the GEM this would be good info if anyone knows. Good luck to you let us know how it turns out for you.