NON JEEP, But I need tech input!! Ford

[nooch13]

I took the family this weekend up to Lewisburg for a softball tournament. We took a 1999 Ford Expedition that we recently bought. Its got higher mileage 132k but runs (ran) pretty good. About 2.5 hours into the trip, it started running like crap at speed. It still has plenty of power when I get on it, but shutters and shakes when below 2k rpms. I stopped and checked it out. All fluids are fine, it did not overheat and has no obvious leaks. The idle is ROUGH almost sounds like a mis-fire. But it came on suddenly, as soon as I got onto rt 11. The check engine light is on steady and came on shortly after it started running like this ANy ideas??? (Other than I should have driven the XJ and never bought a Ford as a dd) I have my 2 infants with me and I have to get back for work on Monday am...

I initially thought maybe crappy gas, but I was almost empty when I filled up 2 hours earlier, so it should have started acting up sooner if that was the case. I topped it off with Super and I am letting it sit for the night at our hotel.

What can I say, I need some input guys, even if you just recomennd a garage in the Lewisburg area...

Thanks!

 

[cjben]

can't be of much help with the newer fords,but sounds like a sensor issue. any shop should be able to hook it up to a code reader for you if you don't have one. if all else fails,the best ford truck/suv website is ford-trucks.com. if you go there,you can find the help you need. just go to the forum specific to your vehicle. probably could even find the info you need with a search there.

 

[Ecomike]

If it was a Jeep I would say it was an O2 sensor problem, or possibly a TPS problem.

If you can Find an Autozone they will scan it for free, anything since 1996, OBD-II they do free scans.

Good luck.

 

[RyanM]

^x2 easiest thing to do now. I hate trying to tinker on my dad's explorer(00) Stuff is so hard to get to.

What bat do you use? I've had a freak, but have since been hitting my Blue Synergy CNT since they outlawed the freak for 08.

 

[Blkxjkrawler]

So you either have a 5.4 or a 4.6 liter V8, Does it have Coil on plug ignition, or does it have plug wires? ignition misfires are pretty common on these motors, especially if the PO was lax on maintenance and you still have original plugs, (and wires if its a 4.6). I'd get the codes pulled and see what you come up with, probably going to be a PO30(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8). 90% of the time just a plug will fix it long enough to get home, but worse case your buying an idividual coil (COP) or a set of wires too. There are a couple of other less common things that can cause these symptoms too, like a Bad MAF sensor. Most of the time its ign related though. post up the codes when you get them.
Hope that helps
-Ryan

 

[nooch13]

OK, found a shop that was stumped too by the problem. It was the #2 cylinder not firing. They could not figure the cause. It is the 5.4 with the coil over ignition. They replaced the plugs, swapped injectors and still, no #2 cylinder. Any ideas???

 

[nooch13]

Oh, and I swing a syn2, freak100 and a techzilla. We got smoked today in our 3rd, game. Lost to Allenwood, PA, some good ballplayers up this way...

 

[xjtrailrider]

I was going with the COP(coil over plug)they are known for just popping out and bringing the threads with them. My 01 did it with only 10k on the odo. Maybe the coil? Try one of the ford forums like F-150.com. After hearing of all of the problems with the late model fords I sold that POS and bought 2 more XJ's with the money.

 

[nooch13]

I am going to swap coils this morning before we try to drive back. Now, does anyone know which cylinder is the #2? lol Also, I've never messed with this coild over plug system? I've been told to be real careful with the spark plugs as you can blow out the threads real quick with only 3 threads. Any other hints or special tools needed?

 

[nooch13]

It's fixed! Despite what the garage said, the coil was bad on the #2 cylinder. It ran like new on a 4 hour trip home...

$58 total at advanced!

Thanks to all of you for the advice, I would not have figured it out without you!