Shifter Problem & rough idle / hesitation

[capt512]

Morning All,

I am once again taking my MM into the dealership Friday due to rough idle and significant hesitation on start off.

Took it in a month ago and was told my PCM had the latest update but that they had to change the plugs as they were fouled. Only 639 miles on motor at the time. Anyway MM has idled worse since they changed plugs and now at 855 miles has developed a problem with not going into reverse unless I really push the shifter hard towards Park.

I would appreciate it greatly if any of you guys and gals know of any TSB's or suggestions I can make to the techs on how to fix both of these problems.

Thanks for your help,
Mike:banana:

[RF Overlord]

capt:

The fix for the reverse issue is a simple cable adjustment...many of our cars had this issue, although mine did not...

The rough idle & hesitation problem was SUPPOSED to be solved by an ECM update, but if your dealer says you have the most up-to-date program, maybe they should try re-flashing it anyway...perhaps some data in the fuel tables are corrupt? Fouling the plugs sounds like it's way too rich...bad MAF, maybe?

[MI2QWK4U]

My Marauder is at the dealership right now for the hesitation/drivability issue. They told me they would do a complete diagnostic before reflashing the computer. I specifically asked about checking the plugs, and they said it was part of the check out. Someone on here posted this:

"SSM 16428 says:
2003 MM HESITATATION/STUBLE COLD OLNY
SOME 2003 MM MAY EXHIBIT A HESTITATION/STIMBLE DURING THE FIRST TWO MINUTES OF OPERATION FOLLOWING A COLD START. THIS WILL TIPICALLY OCCUR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 70-90 DEG/F DURING OPEN LOOP STAGE. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE PCM. TO SERVICE, REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATION USING WDS RELEASE B22NM-2 OR LATER THE LASTEST CALIBTATION CONTAINS IMPROVED AIR/FUEL MIXTURE RATIOS.


Print this and take to your dealer so he can not say you already have the lastest program!"

came from a post in this thread:

http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3550&highlight=16428


I should know today how mine turned out and will post the results....good luck.

[TripleTransAm]

What s/w revision is in your PCM? (see white label on side of windshield pillar base, driver's side, after opening the door... should be a 4 character code)

One of the guys on the board with access to Oasis should be able to see if there's an update to the tables applicable to your s/w load.

Being a June 02 build, I'd have a real close look at the wiring harnesses. I understand the early ones suffered from a potential shorting problem on the passenger's side of the motor, as a harness would get chafed or sliced against the cylinder head. Also look at the driver's side harness as it passes between the engine and the brake booster, there is a sharp metal cowl bracket there as well (been there, done that, blew the fuse...)

Good luck.

[capt512]

Triple Transam

Sticker inside left door pillar is FDH2.
There are also 2 smaller print numbers around a bar code. Left side # is 24496.47 and right side is 02629.
Hope that helps you or someone else help me.

Thanks,
Mike

[WolfeBros]

My buddy RF is on to something with the MAF.
Those plugs are not fouling by themselves. Usually a bad MAF will set a code but perhaps not always. Changing the plugs is treating the symptom not the disease. It is running rich for a reason. Time for your SM and mechanic to earn their pay and track it down. I also seriously doubt a reflash will solve a condition where you are fouling plugs, if that is indeed the case.
JMO

Capt is this rough idle condition just when the engine is cold ??

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by MI2QWK4U
I should know today how mine turned out and will post the results.

And I am very interested to hear the results, Dave. If this ECM flash changes too much, our performance chips may be thrown a curve after the fact, and require an update from the chip provider. Let us know, please?

[capt512]

Wolfe,
When I took it in last month the problem was only when it was cold. Since that time, since they changed the plugs, it is now all the time. Worse when it is cold but even after a good 30 minute drive in 95 degrees its still idling rough at an idle. Not fouled plug rough but rough enough to shake the ice around in a drink cup in the console. I took my SM the printout of the PCM flash that is supposed to remedy the cold engine problems but as I stated they said I already have the latest flash.
If I had this problem back in the olden days I'd swear it feels like either plugs gapped wrong or carb needs adjusting.
I don't know. I wish I could find a really sharp Ford or Merc Mechanic for this newer engine because I think they could find the problem if they new what to look for.
Thanks for your response,
Mike

[SergntMac]

Capt...were all the plugs fouled, or just a few? Starting to sound like valves or loss of compression...

[capt512]

I see where some of the signatures state dynotuned by Fordchip.

Can someone tell me what that envolves and how I can have the same thing done to my MM.

Thanks

[mtnh]

or the fuel pressure regulator problem mentioned earlier today.

[capt512]

Sarge,
To me that just looked as if they had 30k on them and smelled a little rich. All appeared to be burning evenly and Frankly I think the techs just changed them for the **** of it or since I didn't watch them who knows if they even changed them at all.
Could have been someone elses plugs they showed me.

I can tell you this though. I'm real uncomfortable with letting the dealership techs work on it again.
They can't seem to handle any suggestions on what to look for and how to fix the problem.

Oh and by the way the lumbar on the drivers side won't air up. You can hear the pump working but the bag doesn't inflate. Have you heard of that anywhere?

Thanks,
Mike

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by capt512
I see where some of the signatures state dynotuned by Fordchip.

Can someone tell me what that envolves and how I can have the same thing done to my MM.

Thanks

You can visit them at http://www.fordchip.com/

The original discussion is <a href='http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1361&highlight=ford+chip+tune'>Here</a>

Hope this helps!

[WolfeBros]

Since the idling is now rough all the time I am wondering if they may have broken or pinched a wire in one of the coil harnesses? This car has what they call coil on plug ignition, meaning that each sparkplug has its own coil. When I changed my plugs to Denso's the thought went thru my mind that the wiring to these coils were kinda flimsy. Anyway just thinking out loud here but it would sure explain a lousy idle that goes away at speed.

[RF Overlord]

WolfeBros is right about the MAF setting a code, but how about THIS one...

I believe there are 2 coolant temp sensors, one for the gauge, and one for the ECM...another post just told us how his gauge sensor went bad, and then the first replacement was bad out of the box...maybe the ECM temp sensor is bad, so it's thinking the car is cold when it's not, which would definitely make the mixture over-rich, and foul the plugs...

Just another WAG...

[WolfeBros]

Another good one RF. That is why I was asking if it only idled rough when cold. I was thinking the same thing. Now if only we could get his mechanics to think.;)