Engine misfiring Emergency on 98 5.0, stuck in Yuma

[Macinudo]

Here is the deal, Left San Diego running fine, then started running rough and check engine light flashing. Pulled into Autozone, pulled plugs and found rear passenger plug fouled. Replaced all plugs in parking lot, engine ran smooth initially, but started misfiring after about 10 miles and also climate control started to go crazy (switching itself from max a/c to defrost and back). Made it back to Yuma, but dont know what is going on, I suspect the computer. Any help would be great.

 

[Turdle]

This thread may help-
I assume maybe a vacuum line was broken while you were replacing a plug. They are very fragile-
Or
One might have gotten onto the exhaust manifold and melted-
look for the black globe and trace the 2 lines back to the firewall

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192842

 

[JOEZ33]

When the CE Light is flashing, that means misfire.....LOL like you can't already feel it misfiring. But what the light flashing also does is records "which" cylinder is misfiring. Possibly you have a spark plug lead that's out of position and rubbing against something, and causing a misfire. My best luck in this scenario is always, always to run the engine at night time, in a completely dark area with the hood open. Even better, have another person hold it in gear and step on the gas/brake to simulate a load. You'll see sparks immediately at whichever bad spark plug lead is shorted.

I had almost the same problem a while back and changed all kinds of parts until I did that and found a spark plug wire rubbing against the firewall behind the engine.

 

[Macinudo]

I'll give both of those a try. A few months ago I had a similar misfiring problem, and was able to trace that to some of the wires touching the manifold and being burned and broken. I replaced all the wires and plugs, worked great afterward. So the wires were the first thing I check, but they appeared to be in good condition. thank you for your suggestions, I'll keep everyone updated.

 

[JOEZ33]

What I did because I was in a bind, didn't have time to buy and install new ignition leads, I sprayed my spark plug wires with WD40. You soak them down completely with either WD40 or Silicone spray. Those both will help prevent sparks from jumping to a nearby ground. They also help a lot if you offroad and get the wires wet often. This may help you enough to get you home.

 

[Macinudo]

I'll give that a try in the morning. Thanks!

 

[410Fortune]

Pull the computer code

 

[Macinudo]

Easy Fix

Thanks for everyones help, it turned out to be on of the plug wires was touching the manifold and burned through. Replaced the wire and was back in business.

 

[Cobraguy]

Thank God for that. I can think of about a bazillion places I'd rather be stuck than Yuma...