It Tried to stall on me!!!!!!!!!

[Magicfan25]

I was coming down the road and traffic ahead slowed. I let off the accelerator and the left lane was clear, so I punched it. Nothing happened, the car kinda bucked. I let off immediately, got back to half throttle and it took off like normal. No check engine light.....wtf?

A month or two back after driving on the turnpike for 2.5 hours I let the truck sit for 30 min while I was in the house. Got to the end of my street, stopped at the stop sign and it stalled out when I tried to leave the stop sign.

Its a 98 SOHC with approx 34,500 miles on it.

I'm thinkin maybe somethin with the fuel pump? Other than those two incidents everything with the truck seems to be ok, no other problems.

 

[Robert]

Ford issued a TSB several years ago for the '97 & '98 SOHC Explorers due to stalling or as they called it "percieved lack of acceleration". The problem was due to the transmission getting hung up in high gear when decelerating from 45-55 MPH. When you go to step on the gas, it has no power and will sometimes die. The fix is to have the PCM updated with the latest version of software. My PCM on my '97 was reflashed by the dealer under the 8 year/80K PCM warranty at about 50K miles a couple of years ago.

 

[Magicfan25]

my speed was right in that range..time to call the dealer. Thanks

 

[Robert]

The bulletin # is 99-8-7. Here's the text:

"PCM - Harsh Downshift From 3-1/Hesitates/Lacks Power
Article No.
99-8-7

^ HARSH DOWNSHIFT - FROM 3RD-TO-1ST GEAR
WHILE STOPPING - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L OR 5.0L
ENGINE

^ HESITATION - AFTER ACCELERATION FROM
STOP - VEHICLES WITH 4.0L OR 5.0L ENGINE

^ LACK OF POWER - AFTER ACCELERATION FROM
STOP - VEHICLES WITH 4.OL OR 5.OL ENGINE

LIGHT TRUCK:
1997-1999 EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER

CALIBRATION
7-54G-R13, 7-57B-R10, 7-57R-R10, 7-58B-R10, 7-58C-R11, 7-58R-R05, 7-58V-R11, 8-54G-R05, 8-54U-R05, 8-57B-R05, 8-57R-R05, 8-58B-R05, 8-58C-R10, 8-58R-R05, 8-58V-R10, 9-NEA-BAF

WARNING THIS MODIFICATION IS AUTHORIZED ONLY FOR THE LISTED ENGINE(S). PERFORMING THIS MODIFICATION ON OTHER ENGINE CALIBRATIONS IS UNAUTHORIZED AND COULD CREATE LIABILITY UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR LOCAL LAWS.

ISSUE
The vehicle may have one or all of the following symptoms:

^ After vehicle comes to almost a complete stop (approximately 5 km/h (3 mph)) and then accelerates, the transmission may still be in 3rd gear which may cause a perceived lack of power.

^ After vehicle comes to almost a complete stop (approximately 5 km/h (3 mph)), a harsh 3rd-to-1st gear downshift occurs.

^ After a long highway drive followed by a complete stop, a quick acceleration by the customer may result in a perceived lack of power.

^ Acceleration from a stop (city driving) may cause a hesitation.


These concerns may be caused by Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration strategy.

ACTION
Reprogram the PCM using New Generation Star (NGS) or Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS)."