2003 loses acceleration, shudders and stalls

[BellaBuggy]

I've got a 2003 Eddie Bauer 4x4, 89k miles. We are the second owners; however, original owners were pretty meticulous about all their maintenance being done at the dealership, so we purchased at 75k miles having seen that it was well cared for. When we purchased the dealer replaced the spark plugs and performed a computer update. Since that time we've only done oil changes every 4,000 miles, no big repairs or issues.

Recently the vehicle started to have a very occasional shudder, as if it hesitated for a nanosecond and then continued. No lights, no codes tripped. Then one day the thing completely lost acceleration while driving at about 40mph. I was able to turn off onto a side street, at which point the power died completely and I lost power steering. Parked, and the car started back up instantly and ran just fine to get me home. The same issues persist and are getting worse/happening more frequently. It rarely loses power completely, but does lose acceleration. Each time, if I put the vehicle in park and turn it off, it restarts and runs ok to get me home. The check engine light never comes on. The car never overheats. Pressure is fine, fluids are full. I replaced the fuel filter myself, hoping it would help, but no such luck.

Unfortunately, I live in a small town with only one Ford dealer, who can't look at the vehicle for two weeks, and even then...I do not trust their service department. I live about an hour away from another Ford dealer, and given the unreliable nature of the vehicle right now, I don't feel great about trying to drive it that far.

Has anyone had a similar issue that they were able to resolve on their own? I've searched and not found this exact description. I did find some similar problems and solutions in this forum and I've tried those (thank you!). I've also seen people saying their dealers have charged them thousands for repairs and they're still having the same problem, which makes me nervous. I've got a small and very limited pool of resources to make repairs with!

Things I'm currently considering: transmission flush, torque converter, possible ignition relay switch issue for the stall... thoughts? suggestions?

TIA!

 

[GAINMOB]

i had something similar to this...my intake came off...secured it back on and i was good to go...i dont know past this...maybe fuel relay/sender as well with whatever else...i wouldnt think trans flush...but the others are possibilities...i also had a wiring issue (i caused it)...my lights would come on with the automatic sensor and completely die out no matter how slow/fast i was going...wasnt grounded properly and shorting the entire truck...fix it...no probs...best of luck

 

[Butch Smith]

I'll bet its the COP units. I have had to replace 4 of mine and each time it was losing power around 40 mph.

 

[2k3Expy]

I'll bet its the COP units. I have had replace 4 of mine and each time it loses power around 40 mph.

Agreed.

 

[alexwasserman]

Third on the COPs. By 100K they need changing.

Although, if they changed the plugs and noticed they're getting nasty the shop should have recommended it. But, sometimes they come out looking new and still need replacing.

 

[Stoned06]

COPs or fuel pump/relay sounds likely, but Cops would throw a code though. I would go to an Auto Zone, Pep boys, Advance Auto or the like and still try to get the codes read. Maybe the SES/CEL light is malfunctioning.
Transmission sounds unlikely, but if it does it again, try to put the vehicle in neutral and see if it doesn't stall out. If it runs fine, then look at the tranny.

Good luck.

 

[alexwasserman]

I've had my COPs mess up enough I can feel it, and my wife can feel it, without throwing a code.

Once it starts I tend to mess around, and crawl a lot to try to get it to fail enough to trip the code so I know which one it is to replace.

 

[BellaBuggy]

Yup. Found a local mechanic on recommendation of a friend and he hooked up to his computer. Said that it's the coil packs - 4 are bad, but he recommends replacing all 8. Total cost with labor is $755, but he's buying the parts from the Ford dealer at $69 a piece. Is that necessary?

I can buy them a lot cheaper online, and I'm thinking this is something I can do myself. I'm no car repair expert, but I can do maintenance things, and I'm very handy in general around the house...Should I attempt?

 

[Butch Smith]

Yes you can replace the coils yourself. The last one on each side is a pain-in-the-ass to get to and you will need an extension and swivel for your socket set to get those. Find out which ones are bad and replace those first then you can do the others when you don't have anything else to do.

 

[alexwasserman]

$69 is only a little over the price you'll pay at Napa, Autozone etc.

Disconnect the battery first - negative terminal.

Then find each coil and just unscrew the single bolt that holds each down, then unclip the connection at the top. The pop right out.

On your new coils cover the spring and hole at the bottom with some dialectic grease. Often the coils come with it, or Autozone sells little packets for $1. Rub it over the bottom. It'll keep them connected and dry and safe.

Pop them back on, bolt them back on, and you're good.

Even #4, which is a real pain in the ass only took me 15 minutes or so last time. Yes, you'll need a socket extension and it's bit of a pain, but perfectly doable.

If you want help I can post some pics of what to do. I've replaced 3 in the past 4 months - getting pretty good at it now

 

[BellaBuggy]

I'll have to buy the extension - thanks for the heads up. I ordered the COPs online from Summit Racing - $209 for 8 of them. Very happy about the money saved!

 

[eyring2210]

I just went through a similar experience. The fuel pump monitor corroded so bad it shorted out and blew up. It is mounted on the crossmember above the spare tire.

Sent from my SCH-S720C using Tapatalk 2

 

[ELVATO]

I think that's only applicable to the 3 valve Expeditions.

 

[RAE K]

I have the dead pedal, loses acceleration randomly issue

was yours solved by a COP unit and what is that?

Thanks
RAE

 

[ZombieSoldier]

coil on plug. there is 8 of them. 1 for each spark plug

 

[mindgame]

I know this sounds out of orbit... Checked your speed sensors? If you have a bad sensor, traction control will kick in and start applying the breaks and retard the engine...