2004 Acceleration lag

[tonedeafaudio]

I just purchased a 2004 XLT 4.6 and Tow Package. The truck runs and rides great, except one small issue. When taking off from a dead stop as I push the gas pedal nothing happens till I go about 1/2 inch down then it takes off really hard. It's almost hard to take off without spining the tires a little. When its wet out it's nearly impossible to take off without spinning the tires.

Has anybody else had this issue and know how to fix it???

Thanks

 

[matt0248]

Sounds like the throttle body is sticking.

 

[tonedeafaudio]

Thanks Matt,
You think removal and a good cleaning will fix it?

 

[Squirrelmaster]

That sounds like the infamous drive-by-wire throttle lag that the '04+ Explorers are known for. Mine did the same thing, which proved to be quite a bear to deal with in the snow and ice during the winter, but I picked up a SCT XCal3 with a custom tune from Henson Performance to get rid of the lag. Good luck.

Tom

 

[frorie89]

Squirrelmaster, where do you get the sensor from i can not find the website, does it need to be prgramed or just swao and go?

Thanks

 

[n2epv]

Soon after I got my '04 4.6, it developed a similar problem, at about 40,000 miles. It wouldn't act up from a dead stop, but liked to do the throttle lag thing when coasting (foot off throttle) between say 10 and 25 MPH, you then want to give it just a ...little... gas - like in heavy city traffic... :

Cleaning the MAF helped a lot, but didn't stop it completely. (Get the proper cleaning spray or you will kill the sensor - search the forum for the procedure). I then stopped buying convenience-store gas and fed it nothing but name-brand from a high-volume station. That helped some more, but it was still there sometimes.

The final cure was in how my X is driven. It lives it's life in city traffic. Driving around as part of my job during the day and acting as my children's taxi weekends. I now take it out once a week and "drive it like I stole it", including a little red-line for a good time (with the engine fully warmed up, of course). No more throttle lag :

 

[gforceman]

thats why i prefer CABLE driven throttles but someday ill have to fall victim to throttle by wire eventually

 

[jakedrew]

I have a 04 xlt v8 and I never really noticed that much lag with mine. At least nothing I can complain about.

 

[tonedeafaudio]

n2epv,
I'll have to check into that. When I got the truck home I checked the airfilter and it was a cheap FRAM and completely covered in thick caked on dust and dirt. I picked up a new AIR HOG filter and that helped a bit. I'll check the MAF tomorrow and try and get my fuel system cleaned out as much as possible.

 

[rickie]

no acceleration

not sure what to do burn it junk it 2004 explorer with 4.6l this started with a cyl. 5 miss -fire yes the engine has 200 thousand miles on it small rod noise looks great the dash reads engine in safe mode it starts and idles i did have a code sorry did not write it down but was told the code was for the gas pedal out of range so i changed it and just to be on the safe side i also changed the idle motor do i need to program the pedal what give so tired of this truck please help thanks in advance.

 

[rocco123]

#5 is where coolant cross over leaks into the spark plug well. Look there.

 

[MythX]

The '04 4.6 I picked up a couple weeks ago does the exact same thing as the OP's. I haven't had time to look at it yet, but it was recommended I take it to the dealer for a throttle body cleaning. Apparently there's a TSB for this issue.

 

[anthonymtz]

Well guy's I've got good new for you, I had this same issue with my 04 4.6 as soon as I bought it, it was so annoying! The fix? A simple little tps sensor also know as a (throttle position sensor) it's located on the front side of the throttle body, whatever you do don't clean it! I cleaned it with the appropriate electrical parts cleaner and it worked for a couple of days, unfortunately while I was on the freeway the little wrench light came on and the gas pedal was dead, the truck went into limp mode, I had to get towed home, anyways I went to O'Reillys auto parts to get it, is was 71.99$ and comes with a lifetime warranty. if it ever fails again I can just take it in and swap it out, just be careful with the star bolts I striped one and it was a bitc* to get out, anywho, after I plugged it up closed the hood and started it bam! The throttle was just like a new one, as soon as you pushed the gas it was as smooth as silk, trust me guys it was like winning 500$ on a scratch off! It was alot easier for me to remove the whole TB and I took advantage of the repair and cleaned it all up, it was a dirty but not too bad, good luck hope you guys get them thirsty v8's running right again!