Car stuttering

[88LTDCV351]

Car has started to kind of stutter at 40 or 50 mph and then is fine after about 10 more miles per hour. No cel.

I figure maybe a bad cop? Or maybe trans? Car has 164,500 miles on it

[Ourobos]

Sounds like a coil or coil wire to me.

[88LTDCV351]

Replaced the coils. So far so good. I know that a few were previously replaced on the passenger side but not sure which ones.

[justbob]

My truck with the 5.4 has done the 40-50 shutter since I bought it three years ago. I normally don't invest anything but fluids on daily's until something breaks and it interferes with starting and stopping..

So in this case speed up or slow down LOL.

Keep us updated please, I might just gamble myself as it could easily be many other things. I've been choosing to ignore it but I know she's down on power and would appreciate having some back!


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

[88LTDCV351]

Stuttering is harder to spot (more subtle) but its still there. I'll have to take the car up another hill (where its most noticeable) to definitely confirm the problem still exists.

Sounds like a coil or coil wire to me.

What is involved with replacing the coil wires? Anyone have a Ford part number?

[tbone]

No old school plug wires. The coil on plugs just plug in with a connector. They get old and brittle. Make sure they are seated all the way. Use a dab of silicone if the retainer clip is snapped off or if you don't hear a click.
Clean the MAF.

[88LTDCV351]

The clips didn't appear to be brittle and they were intact but I only remember hearing a few actually make a click noise when connecting them to the new COP but they appear to be snug and in there good.

Clean the MAF.

OK, I'll try cleaning the air flow sensor. Next I might try the spark plugs, fuel filter and whatever other tune up type stuff I can think of.

[tbone]

If you didn't hear a click they can work their way up and not make good contact. Ask me how I know.

[88LTDCV351]

Cleaned the MAF but had no effect. I'll check the clips again this weekend. I think I'll also get some spark plugs and replace them and see if that makes a difference.

Scanned for codes but didn't get any.

[Marauderjack]

If none of that works it may just be torque converter shudder!!

[88LTDCV351]

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/news/p2_articleid/203

Should I try this? "...one way to identify a torque converter shudder is lightly touching the brake pedal. While carefully maintaining vehicle speed with one foot, delicately apply the brakes with the other. If the shudder immediately stops, with brake application, the problem is likely the torque converter clutch. When the operating system sees brake application, most vehicles release the torque converter clutches. A trained transmission-service technician can also test for torque converter lockup using a specific vehicle scan tool. These tests are important as a slight engine misfire very often causes the same sensation and is may be mistaken for a torque converter shudder."

[RF Overlord]

Yes, that's the definitive test for TC shudder.

The only thing I would clarify is that you don't want to actually apply the brakes, you just want to push the pedal enough to light the brake lights. If that doesn't stop the shuddering, then it's either a misfire, or possibly a faulty DPFE, but those are rare in the 4V motor.

[Marauderjack]

Add one bottle of Friction Modifier......if it fixes it (usually in a few miles) just drive it awhile then do a Trans Flush......if not it won't hurt a thing and you can resume your search!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-XL3-FRI...-/310303114133

FORD Dealers carry it too!!

Be careful......this stuff really STINKS and if ya spill it.......you'll live with it quite awhile!!

I have used it in every CV I've had and the Marauder gets a bottle every 30K miles.......NEVER A HINT OF SHUDDER!!

Good Luck!!

[Ourobos]

If you change the plugs make sure you torque them to spec.

[88LTDCV351]

OK, so I tried the TC shudder test on the way home. The stuttering did not go away. And this morning, I read the codes from the computer again and this time there were some error codes. Misfire detected on startup and misfire on cylinder 1. So sounds like my best bet is to change the spark plugs.