Changed battery now runs rough and hesitates

[Password]

I did the idle relearn process using this site and it didn't help. I actually disconnected the battery and tried it again and there is still rough idle and hesitation. When I get to 50mph. there is a really rough shake for a few mph after 50 then goes away and will come back after letting off the throttle and reapplying the throttle.

There's a few things that I maybe helped contribute to the problem:
1. the battery cables had a lot of acid buildup, so I cleaned them and dumped water over the area to wash off the cleaner. Maybe a connector got wet? I sprayed some wd40 on a few connectors last night,
2. Placing the new battery on thee tray, I sat it on something and pulled it out (okay yanked it out). I didn't notice what it was but the only thing that is loose around there was the vacuum hose that goes to (that thing on top of the three way split coolant hose that goes to the firewall)________?

Sound familiar to anyone at all?

 

[coupe11]

I had a 1990 F150 (I know much older) but every time I changed the battery, or disconnected the battery for some type of work, it would take that truck 2 or 3 days (back and forth to work) to "relearn" how to run smooth.

My brother bought it new in 1990 and told me it had always been that way.

 

[03Red_EddieBauer]

I didn't notice what it was but the only thing that is loose around there was the vacuum hose that goes to (that thing on top of the three way split coolant hose that goes to the firewall)________?

Sound familiar to anyone at all?

You’re referring to the heater control valve. Did you reinstall vacuum line?

 

[Plati]

You dont say what engine you have. Doubt its the battery. I've changed batteries several times in my 2003 5.4L. Love the story about sitting on something and yanking something out! The water story is good also! Was it a 5 gallon bucket?

 

[Password]

You’re referring to the heater control valve. Did you reinstall vacuum line?

okay thanks
It never became disconnected, just "squished" by the battery setting on it.

 

[Password]

You dont say what engine you have. Doubt its the battery. I've changed batteries several times in my 2003 5.4L. Love the story about sitting on something and yanking something out! The water story is good also! Was it a 5 gallon bucket?

It's a 5.4 (in my sig ). just a 16oz bottle of water.

 

[Plati]

It's a 5.4 (in my sig ). just a 16oz bottle of water.

i see ... said the blind man

 

[Password]

So the check engine light finally came on, codes are on the attached picture. So should I try the COP by switching it with another?

 

[Plati]

I fixed a P0304 with a COP & plug on #4
2003XLT 5.4


https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...-after-weeklong-rest.35179/page-2#post-297351

 

[Password]

I fixed a P0304 with a COP & plug on #4
2003XLT 5.4


https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...-after-weeklong-rest.35179/page-2#post-297351

Changed the plug and COP, runs like before the battery change. What a weird occurrence.

 

[Password]

I fixed a P0304 with a COP & plug on #4
2003XLT 5.4


https://www.expeditionforum.com/thr...-after-weeklong-rest.35179/page-2#post-297351

Oh yeah, I fixed that leaky coolant hose a handful of months ago but I never noticed if coolant got all the way back to plug #4.

 

[Plati]

Changed the plug and COP, runs like before the battery change. What a weird occurrence.

Did either look bad? In my case it was the COP ... and I dont think I had an issue with that hose.

Over the years ... I tended to think "the last thing I did" was the root cause of whatever issue I was having. Sometimes its true but more often than not it's a Red Herring. Thats why I like to diagnose a problem, checking the area around "the last thing I did" but not assuming thats it. Have seen posts on here like "just put in gas and now engine runs rough" where people assumed it was the gas. No, that was just a coincidence. Not always but can be. Gotta keep an open mind, unusual on this Forum!

 

[Password]

Did either look bad? In my case it was the COP ... and I dont think I had an issue with that hose.

Over the years ... I tended to think "the last thing I did" was the root cause of whatever issue I was having. Sometimes its true but more often than not it's a Red Herring. Thats why I like to diagnose a problem, checking the area around "the last thing I did" but not assuming thats it. Have seen posts on here like "just put in gas and now engine runs rough" where people assumed it was the gas. No, that was just a coincidence. Not always but can be. Gotta keep an open mind, unusual on this Forum!

Plug and COP both looked okay to me. When I changed all the plugs and COPs a few years ago, I did install the Accel brand COP's though...