CEL, flashing radio, idle surge

[JatZilla]

Hello Everyone. Please point me in the right direction!

About a month ago, I noticed that while sitting with the transmission in Park, the idle RPM would surge from 500 to 900, up and down. Stepping on the gas and letting go would sometimes cause the truck to stall. This has nothing to do with the A/C compressor or air.

In the past month, I noticed a sudden green LED flash on the radio screen even though the radio was off. Very sudden and quick...by the time I get my gaze on the radio, it's gone. Saw it happen twice. My wife also saw it once so that confirms I'm not nuts.

3 days ago the Check Engine Light came on.

I did some searches and based on those, I'll try to get the codes read from somewhere and look into changing the O2 sensors ('98 Eddie Bauer, 33k miles), MAF etc but does anyone know what's with the radio? Also, is there any reliable yet cheap code reader I can purchase for the truck?

Any guidance is appreciated

 

[Robert]

Originally posted by JatZilla
. . . Saw it happen twice. My wife also saw it once so that confirms I'm not nuts.. . .

All that confirms is that you are both nuts

Do you have the SOHC? If so, have you looked into Owner Notification Program 00M12? 00M12 involves the lower intake manifold o-rings leaking. When the leak gets bad enough, the idle will hunt around, eventually causing the CEL to come on. Ford has extended the warranty on the o-rings to 6 years / 72K miles and should be very familiar with it. Do a search (that would be the "search" button at the top) for 00M12 and you should find my scanned in letter from Ford detailing the repairs. As long as you are under 72K miles, Ford will replace your o-rings at no charge provided that is the source of your problems. Sorry I can't help with the radio.

 

[JatZilla]

Robert, thanks for the reply Yeah I'm aware of the TSB 00M12 and I did mention it to the dealer when I scheduled service for the coming thursday. They don't think this applies to me but said they will check it out. Is there any way I myself can check if the lower intake manifold -rings are leaking?

 

[Robert]

I have a more indepth explanation in another thread, but basically it involves spraying propane around your lower intake manifold while monitoring your short-term fuel trims with an OBD-II scanner. Any sudden change with the propane present, indicates an air leak. Your idle may also change somewhat when the propane is being sprayed. If yours is bad enoug or your ears are sensative enough, you might be able to detect it without the scanner. The scanner will confirm it though. I used an $11 propane torch assembly from Wal-Mart to diagnose mine (don't light it though!). I put the end of the torch down by my intake manifold with the engine idleing, turned the knob on the torch to start the propane and watched my short-term fuel trims shoot up.

I hate it when Ford says stuff like that since it looks like they already made up their minds before they even looked at it. Leaking o-rings can definately cause an eratic idle, especially when the engine is cold and will eventually cause the check-engine light to come on. Same symptoms mine had. When my CEL came on, I pulled the codes and got a P0171 & P0174. That was when I investigated further and found the leaking o-rings. Be sure and tell them you want to know what the codes were. If you can get the codes pulled before taking it to Ford, it will at least give you a way to go. Don't have them clear the codes though before taking it to Ford (also don't disconnect your battery). If you take it to Ford with the codes cleared and no CEL, all they will do is tell you they couldn't find the problem and charge you for an hour of labor.

 

[JatZilla]

Thanks for that detailed response!
I'm having the codes pulled on Monday and we'll take it form there. I'll post here on the outcome and final solution.

 

[oahrens]

Robert,
Great detailed post....You should get one of those scratch-n-sniff stickers like teachers give out!!
OK---at least a beer!!

Hey Jat...Nice to see another from NJ...Where from?

 

[Robert]

Depends what it smells like (the sticker, not the beer)