So the check engine light started blinking...

[Prince_Polaris]

I'll start this off with saying: I'm an idiot.

So, the highway here goes through a valley... and it is of course steep on either side. So, in order to get my expedition up the side of the mountain, at 70, which is the speed limit, I have to floor it and the engine hovers around 4K rpm... I've only done this perhaps 5 times total, and today, it was having none of it. The check engine light started to blink, so I pulled over, shut it off, and looked it up...

Internet said I could drive, but slowly, so I started it back up... the check engine light was off, and I didn't hear anything weird, so I continued up the highway... at 40, not 70. I stopped in a parking lot, then revved it a little, and I couldn't hear anything weird- light still off- and I simply came home.

Hopefully nothing is wrong, and the car was just unhappy about running hard, right...? Jeez, what a heck of a way to learn a lesson, I thought I was done doing stupid things back when I still had that dumb explorer

 

[JExpedition07]

Something is wrong in itself if you have to floor that truck to get it to maintain speed, if anything it should be quickly exceeding the speed limit even on a steep grade when to the floor.

 

[Don Hall]

When the CHECK ENGINE light illuminates, it usually means a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) has been set. You need to buy a code reader, or visit AutoZone (or others) that provide
a FREE code read. If a code has been set, you will understand what the computer is telling you about the engine.

 

[Prince_Polaris]

Something is wrong in itself if you have to floor that truck to get it to maintain speed, if anything it should be quickly exceeding the speed limit even on a steep grade when to the floor.

Does it make a difference if I weigh 490 pounds and the AC is on? Maybe you're onto something, I thought that big 5.4L engine would have a bit more oomph too...

When the CHECK ENGINE light illuminates, it usually means a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) has been set. You need to buy a code reader, or visit AutoZone (or others) that provide
a FREE code read. If a code has been set, you will understand what the computer is telling you about the engine.

I should pay autozone a visit, then! Might learn something useful... Also, it was flashing, not on, it's not on at all right now

 

[BRIANGEE]

It has begun... in a year you will be old enough to drink - that might help ease the pain. LOL

 

[Bain64]

I should pay autozone a visit, then! Might learn something useful... Also, it was flashing, not on, it's not on at all right now

The code is probably still logged. Let us know what codes you get back

 

[1955moose]

We warned you before you bought the Suv, but your a stubborn one! Buy yourself a better code reader, your gonna need it. A $200.00 novas about right. Your a techie, the better ones show more info, which you want. Like buying a cheap volt/ohm, vs a good one like a top shelf Fluke. Anytime you get a blinking not solid check engine light, the computers telling you, and you know computers, you got a serious drivability problem. Run the codes and get back to us. Kinda makes you wish you'd have bought a Toyota Sequoia! Just kidding. As usual we'll get you through this. Either a cat is bad, or a sensor. No biggie, just gotta figure out what.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[jim midd]

Mine did the same thing the other day. Nailed the gas, CEL flashed a few times like a misfire, then all good. I need to see if me code reader will tell me anything, I was just trying to forget about is since the CEL didn't stay on so I'm afraid to know LOL

 

[JExpedition07]

Does it make a difference if I weigh 490 pounds and the AC is on? Maybe you're onto something, I thought that big 5.4L engine would have a bit more oomph too...

The 5.4 will pull a truck full of passangers and a 6,000 pound trailer uphill and maintain speed all day long. You are experiencing a serious lack of power there I’d get that trouble code read ASAP. If it’s flashing that’s telling you to get it checked out!

 

[Prince_Polaris]

We warned you before you bought the Suv, but your a stubborn one! Buy yourself a better code reader, your gonna need it. A $200.00 novas about right. Your a techie, the better ones show more info, which you want. Like buying a cheap volt/ohm, vs a good one like a top shelf Fluke. Anytime you get a blinking not solid check engine light, the computers telling you, and you know computers, you got a serious drivability problem. Run the codes and get back to us. Kinda makes you wish you'd have bought a Toyota Sequoia! Just kidding. As usual we'll get you through this. Either a cat is bad, or a sensor. No biggie, just gotta figure out what.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

Is my family a lemon magnet? Every single car we have is full of problems, ugh... hopefully this is easy to fix, so oh well, to Autozone I go, tomorrow! Slowly...

The 5.4 will pull a truck full of passangers and a 6,000 pound trailer uphill and maintain speed all day long. You are experiencing a serious lack of power there I’d get that trouble code read ASAP. If it’s flashing that’s telling you to get it checked out!

Oh damn, I'm actually excited to fix this since this thing feels like driving one of our minivans so far!

Mine did the same thing the other day. Nailed the gas, CEL flashed a few times like a misfire, then all good. I need to see if me code reader will tell me anything, I was just trying to forget about is since the CEL didn't stay on so I'm afraid to know LOL

Heh, maybe we can fix em together...

 

[Prince_Polaris]

Oh, yeah, hah, I forgot to mention, that "occassional noise" I hear from the rear end? Well, it now makes grinding sounds anytime I'm going over bumps at a super low speed or wrangling it into the driveway...

 

[1955moose]

What's that old saying. If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all! Remember what Ford stands for, Found on the road dead!

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[98eb5.4]

Mine did the same thing the other day. Nailed the gas, CEL flashed a few times like a misfire,

bingo

 

[jim midd]

Heh, maybe we can fix em together...

Looks like we are both in MD, although mine lives in NJ

 

[jim midd]

bingo

Yea, I figured it was misfiring, but not sure what the cause is or if it's something I should be worried about.

 

[98eb5.4]

flashing/blinking cel usually shows witch cyl is acting up, could be a plug, coil, wiring or a combo,

easy first step is swap coils from another cyl, then go from there,

misfiring can plug cats-verters,

get/pull & work the code(s?), as a fundamental

 

[Plati]

Yea, I figured it was misfiring, but not sure what the cause is or if it's something I should be worried about.

Here's what I would be thinking if my 2003 did that.....

Ok, I had a CEL flashing and it went away. First off since it happened when I punched it --- I'm not gonna do that for now. Engine obviously does'nt like that. CEL isn't on right now so I'm probably OK to drive right now. I wanna get my code reader on that ASAP and see if I have any codes stored and address any I find (if I find any) since there was/is some kind of problem lurking in there ready to come back under the next stress condition. Once I read codes and have a way to read codes I may just punch it again and see if I can get a code out of it and see if the CEL will come back on. Go from there. Better to find and fix an intermittent problem before it becomes a regular one. This might be a warning shot over the bow that I should learn from!

 

[98eb5.4]

a misfire could be mild/random, might just act up under load etc or

could be severe, comes up easy, frequent/constant etc

eitherway, usually gets worse, that may play out slow over time, or bite quick & sudden,

a miss ruins smooth running most noticeable when stopped & idling & shows less power unmistakably

 

[Prince_Polaris]

Here's what I would be thinking if my 2003 did that.....

Ok, I had a CEL flashing and it went away. First off since it happened when I punched it --- I'm not gonna do that for now. Engine obviously does'nt like that. CEL isn't on right now so I'm probably OK to drive right now. I wanna get my code reader on that ASAP and see if I have any codes stored and address any I find (if I find any) since there was/is some kind of problem lurking in there ready to come back under the next stress condition. Once I read codes and have a way to read codes I may just punch it again and see if I can get a code out of it and see if the CEL will come back on. Go from there. Better to find and fix an intermittent problem before it becomes a regular one. This might be a warning shot over the bow that I should learn from!

Exactly! and, of course....

P0300 Random Misfire Detected

Just happens to be the code, yay.... I'm thinking I'll take it to a shop, ask them to check what's going on, and get them to also fix up my rear AC while I'm at it... I agree with the "don't push it" part if what you said, but I'm not sure gunning it again and seeing if it happens again is a good idea. :c What kind of price would I be looking at depending on what random thing is being misfire-ey? And I sure hope the AC is an easy fix... I think part of the reason my mileage is so terrible is because not only do I always have the AC on (so I don't die), but it's always on max because the front air has to try cooling down the entire car. Perhaps one of those police things they put behind the front seats would help

Honestly, I'd probably work on it myself if I had a garage, but during the day it's super hot and humid and during the night the air is half air, half bugs, and it's still humid. Perhaps not a problem for a normal person, but weighing 490 pounds puts a damper on... basically everything. I was sweating my ass off at walmart today, and that place is (mostly) cooled... ugh.

I even want to work on it myself, it sounds fun and most importantly cheap!

 

[stamp11127]

The AC setting has no effect on the amount of hp used to run the compressor. Max ac recycles the cabin air - cooling and reducing the interior humidity level. The regular ac setting sources outside air.