Notices
1997 - 2003 F150 1997-2003 F150, 1997-1999 F250LD, 7700 & 2004 F150 Heritage
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Auxito

#4 COP "wiggly"

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 30, 2010 | 02:24 PM
  #1  
echo657's Avatar
echo657
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Question #4 COP "wiggly"

I have an '02 F150, 5.4, and a couple weeks back my SES light came on, truck is struggling like crazy. Took it to AutoZone, their tester said #3 was bad. About a year & a half ago it was doing the same thing, when I got it checked at AZ, the code read #6, but before I could replace anything, the light went out & it started running right. This time, I got up under the hood to take a look (never done this kinda thing before) and all the COP units were seated nice & tight except #4, it's almost like it's not touching the plug.
My question is, should it wiggle like that? And could the #4 being loose cause an incorrect code to come up?
 
Reply
Old May 30, 2010 | 08:33 PM
  #2  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
there should be a small screw on the side of the COP holding it down to the manifold. look for a small 6 sided screw head, about 7 MM. If the bolt is missing, the COP will be loose. If the bolt is loose, try to tighten. IT screws into aluminum threads so dont go real tight. IF #4 is loose, it could give a bad code, but it should read #4, not #3.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2010 | 09:12 PM
  #3  
echo657's Avatar
echo657
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Thanks for the response Steve. I didn't really think it should be loose, but since I've never done this before... Anyway, I took the #4 out, the end of the boot was discolored, the bolt was missing, and the tab the bolt goes through was broken off. I guess you get what you pay for when you have someone else do the work. I'm going to check the Ford dealership tomorrow, the two parts stores I checked didn't have anything comparable, and I didn't want to try something else and mess up the threads. A girl can't be too careful, ya know, lol! I'm going to replace that one, see what happens, and go from there.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2010 | 08:32 PM
  #4  
echo657's Avatar
echo657
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Got my screw, changed the #4, still running a little rough, but the SES light has gone out. Probably because the battery was disconnected.
Now then...I WANT MY GOLD STAR! LOL!
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 04:33 PM
  #5  
echo657's Avatar
echo657
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Texas
SES light back on, I knew I couldn't get lucky! I'm taking it back over to AutoZone to get the code reader on it again. Anyone want to bet on what it says? I guess I really should invest in plugs and COP's for all 8 cylinders, but I just don't have the time or cash to do it. Time to get one of those funny banks...Mom's Mad Money, or whatever, and start putting back the bucks.
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2010 | 09:19 PM
  #6  
steve(ill)'s Avatar
steve(ill)
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,932
Likes: 181
it dont hurt to have all 8 COPS, but one can fail and the others be fine for years. get the code and narrow it down to 1 cylinder. --- your radiator tank has not dropped any level right? your not using antifreeze ?
 
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2010 | 02:44 PM
  #7  
echo657's Avatar
echo657
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
15 Year Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Thanks Steve. Radiator level is fine. I took it back to AutoZone where they did their thing with the code reader, came up #6 and the camshaft position sensor. Changed out the #6 this morning, now I'm fighting with the anti-theft crap when I try to reconnect the battery. I posted a question about how to deal with that, I got lucky on the #4 when I reconnected, but I don't know which combination of key turns, etc. worked.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jgrm2
Modular V8 (4.6L, 5.4L)
7
Dec 2, 2020 01:06 AM
contento
Excursion - King of SUVs
8
Sep 16, 2010 07:25 PM
Hecklerboy
1997 - 2003 F150
5
Sep 14, 2009 07:21 AM
rat49f6
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
17
May 31, 2009 02:09 AM
idbl_fanatic
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
3
Mar 30, 2007 10:30 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:56 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE