Annoyingly Undiagnosed
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
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Annoyingly Undiagnosed
Greetings All. I am looking for some inspiration into a problem that seemingly, no one can quite understand.
About 4 months ago, I was returning from a long drive of about 600 miles. I did it pretty much non stop, other than for fuel and when I got to my home town, I stopped at the traffic lights and the engine stalled. It started again and I got home. Then about 3 weeks ago, I again went on another trip, although only 80 miles and when I got to the barrier at Atlanta Airport car park, the engine stalled again. I restarted and it stalled again. I restarted and the engine was rough, it idled badly and felt like. it had no power and I limped it up to the top level of the car park.
On the way out, an hour later, it started ok but seemed low on power, to the point that I didnt trust it not to stop on the interstate so I took back streets all the way home. I dropped it at my local dealer and they drove it for a short while but they could not recreate the fault.
In between trips, I was using it ok but it always felt like it had reduced power and needed more gas to get going.
It is a 2016 5.0V8.
It has regular oil changes (every 3k) and my last was 500 miles ago and included new air filter. Recently it has had trans fluid renew and a fuel service, which included throttle body clean, new plugs etc at my dealer.
The dealer thinks maybe a new throttle body as the electrics on it could be on way out. I am thinking that could be the culprit, but also the TPS or MAF sensors.
At no point has an engine light come on so no codes visible.
It is a strange one, but open to some inspiration guys.
About 4 months ago, I was returning from a long drive of about 600 miles. I did it pretty much non stop, other than for fuel and when I got to my home town, I stopped at the traffic lights and the engine stalled. It started again and I got home. Then about 3 weeks ago, I again went on another trip, although only 80 miles and when I got to the barrier at Atlanta Airport car park, the engine stalled again. I restarted and it stalled again. I restarted and the engine was rough, it idled badly and felt like. it had no power and I limped it up to the top level of the car park.
On the way out, an hour later, it started ok but seemed low on power, to the point that I didnt trust it not to stop on the interstate so I took back streets all the way home. I dropped it at my local dealer and they drove it for a short while but they could not recreate the fault.
In between trips, I was using it ok but it always felt like it had reduced power and needed more gas to get going.
It is a 2016 5.0V8.
It has regular oil changes (every 3k) and my last was 500 miles ago and included new air filter. Recently it has had trans fluid renew and a fuel service, which included throttle body clean, new plugs etc at my dealer.
The dealer thinks maybe a new throttle body as the electrics on it could be on way out. I am thinking that could be the culprit, but also the TPS or MAF sensors.
At no point has an engine light come on so no codes visible.
It is a strange one, but open to some inspiration guys.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 332
Greetings All. I am looking for some inspiration into a problem that seemingly, no one can quite understand.
About 4 months ago, I was returning from a long drive of about 600 miles. I did it pretty much non stop, other than for fuel and when I got to my home town, I stopped at the traffic lights and the engine stalled. It started again and I got home. Then about 3 weeks ago, I again went on another trip, although only 80 miles and when I got to the barrier at Atlanta Airport car park, the engine stalled again. I restarted and it stalled again. I restarted and the engine was rough, it idled badly and felt like. it had no power and I limped it up to the top level of the car park.
On the way out, an hour later, it started ok but seemed low on power, to the point that I didnt trust it not to stop on the interstate so I took back streets all the way home. I dropped it at my local dealer and they drove it for a short while but they could not recreate the fault.
In between trips, I was using it ok but it always felt like it had reduced power and needed more gas to get going.
It is a 2016 5.0V8.
It has regular oil changes (every 3k) and my last was 500 miles ago and included new air filter. Recently it has had trans fluid renew and a fuel service, which included throttle body clean, new plugs etc at my dealer.
The dealer thinks maybe a new throttle body as the electrics on it could be on way out. I am thinking that could be the culprit, but also the TPS or MAF sensors.
At no point has an engine light come on so no codes visible.
It is a strange one, but open to some inspiration guys.
About 4 months ago, I was returning from a long drive of about 600 miles. I did it pretty much non stop, other than for fuel and when I got to my home town, I stopped at the traffic lights and the engine stalled. It started again and I got home. Then about 3 weeks ago, I again went on another trip, although only 80 miles and when I got to the barrier at Atlanta Airport car park, the engine stalled again. I restarted and it stalled again. I restarted and the engine was rough, it idled badly and felt like. it had no power and I limped it up to the top level of the car park.
On the way out, an hour later, it started ok but seemed low on power, to the point that I didnt trust it not to stop on the interstate so I took back streets all the way home. I dropped it at my local dealer and they drove it for a short while but they could not recreate the fault.
In between trips, I was using it ok but it always felt like it had reduced power and needed more gas to get going.
It is a 2016 5.0V8.
It has regular oil changes (every 3k) and my last was 500 miles ago and included new air filter. Recently it has had trans fluid renew and a fuel service, which included throttle body clean, new plugs etc at my dealer.
The dealer thinks maybe a new throttle body as the electrics on it could be on way out. I am thinking that could be the culprit, but also the TPS or MAF sensors.
At no point has an engine light come on so no codes visible.
It is a strange one, but open to some inspiration guys.
1) Check the throttle body connector (electrical plug). I've cleaned mine a few times and one time I forgot to plug it back in. Truck started just fine, but very weird idle while I figured out my dumb mistake. Since you mentioned it was just cleaned maybe the connector is not fully plugged in and connecting/disconnecting. Unlikely though.
2) The low on power and weird idle makes me think spark plug. Though what you are describing should have shown a misfire code. When's the last time you replaced or checked spark plugs?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
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Couple of ideas. Probably not the problem but can't hurt.
1) Check the throttle body connector (electrical plug). I've cleaned mine a few times and one time I forgot to plug it back in. Truck started just fine, but very weird idle while I figured out my dumb mistake. Since you mentioned it was just cleaned maybe the connector is not fully plugged in and connecting/disconnecting. Unlikely though.
2) The low on power and weird idle makes me think spark plug. Though what you are describing should have shown a misfire code. When's the last time you replaced or checked spark plugs?
1) Check the throttle body connector (electrical plug). I've cleaned mine a few times and one time I forgot to plug it back in. Truck started just fine, but very weird idle while I figured out my dumb mistake. Since you mentioned it was just cleaned maybe the connector is not fully plugged in and connecting/disconnecting. Unlikely though.
2) The low on power and weird idle makes me think spark plug. Though what you are describing should have shown a misfire code. When's the last time you replaced or checked spark plugs?
Hi
The plugs were changed less than 500 miles ago and the throttle body should have just been cleaned also.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 332
That strengthens my recommendations. May not be a coincidence your plugs and throttle body were just serviced and now you're having issues. Again, I'd look at both of those items first and not assume just because they were serviced recently you can rule them out.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 4
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On both times I have had problems, it was on a long drive. That seems somewhat of a coincidence to me. It definitely feels like a fuel, fuel\air type issue. Just not sure what. I will check the connector and maybe try a different garage to see if they can check the other bits just in case the dealer is charging me for work that he hasnt done. I know it happens...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 141
Likes: 75
I don’t know anything about a 2016 F150, but I googled your issue and there are a few threads on this forum about 2016 f150 idle issues. Not sure which motor.
Looks like a little research on this site may be productive in understanding your problem
It almost looked ‘rabbithole-ish’
When I troubleshoot something, I always look at ‘where was the monkey last’ …
That’s usually a good starting
poimt.
Looks like a little research on this site may be productive in understanding your problem
It almost looked ‘rabbithole-ish’
When I troubleshoot something, I always look at ‘where was the monkey last’ …
That’s usually a good starting
poimt.