I'm stumped on my 5.0

[machman706]

Okay guys, I did a search and there are several things that I've seen and tried to get my Explorer to stop missing. According to my OBDII scanner, the number 7 cylinder is missing. The miss is intermitent and not constant untill it starts acting up. I can shut it down and it will run fine for about a half an hour. It has new Taylor plug wires, Bosch Platimun 4's, and I've changed the coil packs. It smell like its running rich. Since it only does it on occasion, maybe once a month or so for about a week. I've had it to a couple garages and they all say the same thing, but I've changed all the ignition parts. Could it be the Fuel Injector? I've got one ordered and it should be here tomorrow. I just wanted to get some opinions because Sunday it missed so bad it threw it out of drive into reverse at 35mph and busted my windshield. I think it was the vibration. It killed the motor and locked up the wheels, but I've checked the tranny and all is ok with it. Thank God it didn't rip it out. I would appreciate any feed back.

 

[TPLYNCH]

A miss would not do what you described! You have a MUCH more serious problem.....

 

[mrboyle]

Try putting a set of stock Motorcraft plugs in.

 

[gavin]

heh, what TPLYNCH said.
Missing will NOT make the tranny switch from D to Reverse by itself!
The only way that can happen is if the tranny controller shorted out or something.
Gotta be lucky that didn't cause any more damage..

 

[machman706]

I'm hoping that I didn't have the lever in drive all the way, though I don't see how, and that the vibration of the miss shook it out of drive. Its never happened to me before. I had the windshield replaced yesterday afternoon and the guy said it looked as if I may have put my hand out to brace myself and hit the windshield. I dont remember this though, because it caused me to do a 180 and I don't remember it happened so fast. I changed the coil pack last night again, and so far its ok, not getting any more codes. So I'll see how long this lasts. Thanks for the ideas guys, if you have any more let me know.

 

[james t]

umm.......... uh......... this is deffinately weird.

neutral is in between drive and reverse. somehow, it jumped out of drive, passed through nuetral, and hit reverse. there is no way that i know of a mis-fire could cause that.

 

[machman706]

I've had a lot of odd stuff happen to me with the cars I've had. I've had 5 and I'm only 21, all Fords. I've had 3 5.0's, but this takes the cake. The Explorer has been nothing but trouble and I'm contemplating getting rid of it. I kick myself everytime I have problems with it for getting rid of my perfect 96 4.6 t-bird that never game me a bit of trouble. Wish I had kept that car. But anyways, I hope I can get this figured out. I have not gotten any codes since I replaced the coil pack. The only code I was getting though when it was happening was the #7 misfire.