5.4l engine stuck at 300 rpm!

[AccraBob]

My 2014 Expedition has just developed its first engine problem after almost 96,000 miles. I guess I should feel lucky...but not so much.

I had an oil change and 99 point check done at a local Ford dealer on July 11, and all was OK. That was followed by some suspension work and an idler wheel/serpentine belt change at the same dealer on July 19. All seemed OK, it drove normally until today (July 21) when I saw a severe drop in acceleration, and I had to pull into a vacant parking lot. The engine was idling at 300 rpm, and while I could pump the accelerator a few times and it would rev up to 3500 rpm, soon it wouldn't even do that - it just sits at 300 rpm idling rough, not enough juice to even move the vehicle, or fully power the steering and brakes. Accelerator pedal has no effect on engine speed though the "foot feel" seems normal. A few minutes later the check engine light came on. Doing the in-dash system check shows nothing wrong, gauges show normal. Now it starts, sits at 300 rpm, check engine light is on, but that's all it will do.

I did fill the tank yesterday (it took 16 gallons out of total 26) but it was at a reputable gas station, and no problems until more than 24 hours later.

Truck has been towed to the dealer that did the work in the past 2 weeks, though they are closed today. I'll be all over them in the morning, but meanwhile, anyone have some idea what might be going on? Never seen this before.

 

[JExpedition07]

Sounds like a Throttle Body issue for sure, update us on what it is. Should have had the codes pulled first.

 

[AccraBob]

Sounds like a Throttle Body issue for sure, update us on what it is. Should have had the codes pulled first.[/QUOT

Interesting...but what codes do you speak of?

 

[kyleaaronburkett]

The check engine light would give a code when an OBD reader is plugged in. Whatever the code reads likely would hint more at the issue

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

 

[AccraBob]

Ah. I'll have to leave that to the dealer then. I do know Morse Code, but I don't have an OBD reader. Thanks.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

Ah. I'll have to leave that to the dealer then. I do know Morse Code, but I don't have an OBD reader. Thanks.

For future reference, Advance Auto, Autozone, etc. will read the codes for free.

 

[AccraBob]

For future reference, Advance Auto, Autozone, etc. will read the codes for free.

That is excellent info. In this case, the vehicle wouldn't move so it had to be towed, and the dealer who had just serviced it seemed to be the right destination. But next time I get a warning light and the vehicle is still mobile, I'll do what you suggested! Good stuff.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

That is excellent info. In this case, the vehicle wouldn't move so it had to be towed, and the dealer who had just serviced it seemed to be the right destination. But next time I get a warning light and the vehicle is still mobile, I'll do what you suggested! Good stuff.

It's probably their fault anyway. My wife had her Mazda serviced at the dealer awhile back. We picked it up after hours and drove it to the supermarket less than 5 miles away. When we tried to start it, it was dead and had to be towed to the dealership. Coincidence? No way. Ultimately, we discovered that the tech that worked on it never disconnected the battery while removing the dash. He fried the battery and blew over a dozen fuses. Never underestimate the level of incompetence out there.

 

[AccraBob]

Update: Just got back from dealer. Service consultant there read the codes and said there were a bunch relating to "oxygen sensor". I've asked him to send me the list of codes he read.

 

[AccraBob]

Update: Just got back from dealer. Service consultant there read the codes and said there were a bunch relating to "oxygen sensor". I've asked him to send me the list of codes he read.

The codes were P2195 and P2197 and then they found a bug stuck in the mass air flow sensor. My Expedition choked on a bug?

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

 

[bobmbx]

I hope you told them to clean the MAF and check again before replacing any parts. That bug on the MAF will certainly screw your O2 numbers.

 

[Retiredusps]

Also how did a Bug get past the Air Filter ???? Have them check the air intake system. Should also change the air filter.

 

[AccraBob]

I hope you told them to clean the MAF and check again before replacing any parts. That bug on the MAF will certainly screw your O2 numbers.

Got the truck back already..they did as you said, no need for any parts, just did KAM reset, test drive, and retest afterwards.

 

[AccraBob]

Also how did a Bug get past the Air Filter ???? Have them check the air intake system. Should also change the air filter.

Good question. Just drove from NJ to Alaska, stopped for full scheduled service in Minot ND on the way up. Got down to Houston, did full scheduled service on July 11. Presumable air filter was checked both times. We did drive through some intense bug clouds. So it's ironic that it choked on a bug in Texas.

 

[ManUpOrShutUp]

The codes were P2195 and P2197 and then they found a bug stuck in the mass air flow sensor. My Expedition choked on a bug?

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

O2 sensor codes are rarely the fault of the actual sensor and you certainly didn't have 2 fails at once. The bug in the MAF just sounds like pure bulls**t. Honestly, I can't even fathom how that would be possible. So with all that air flowing through the intake the bug manages to steer itself out its path and into the sensor? This is a prime example of why I don't visit dealerships once the warranty is up.

 

[Trainmaster]

ManUp is speaking sense. The whole story is screwy. And no O2 sensor or mass air sensor's going to lock the throttle at 300 RPM.

 

[AccraBob]

ManUp is speaking sense. The whole story is screwy. And no O2 sensor or mass air sensor's going to lock the throttle at 300 RPM.

I don't know. It's running fine now. This is the work performed.

 

[bobmbx]

ManUp is speaking sense. The whole story is screwy. And no O2 sensor or mass air sensor's going to lock the throttle at 300 RPM.

Well, run a test. Remove your MAF, cover it with some masking tape, re-install and fire it up. The results would be empirical.

 

[WISIV]

My F150 & my wife's Expedition both have K&N cleanable and reoilable air filters. Can't use too much oil on the filters or it will dirty up the map sensor. As a general rule of thumb i clean our MAF sensors periodically doesn't take rocket science, autozone sells MAF sensor cleaner (only use MAF cleaner on your MAF). IT will save you some money if you will pull out your MAF sensor every so often and spray it let it dry and reinstall. The first time I cleaned the MAF sensor in the expedition it was covered with fine dust that made it through the ford paper filter. Sprayed it and things worked like new and mileage and driveability improved. I live in Texas and have NEVER had a bug on the MAF sensor they all get stuck in the air filter along with oak leaves and pine straw. Good luck. MAF cleaner at AZ $8.99 new MAF sensor at ford around $200.

 

[plumcolr]

Actually sounds logical to me. You can open the throttle but if the MAF doesn't see air flow, the injectors aren't gonna flow more fuel. It will just bog and die.

A similar thing, normal idle speed though, and a rough idle on my crown vic. Stepping on the gas just made it bog. A new MAF fixed it (fortunately my 06 expedition at that time used the same MAF. I swapped it to verify before buying).

I presume the bug was really screwing up the air flow thru the MAF.