I had an interesting ride home from work yesterday, the ride into work was no issue, however, after work I jump into the truck start it and it sounded like an old Harley, shaking spitting and sputtering. I shut it back down and restarted, same results, but no codes at this time. I started driving and honestly thought I would not make the hour drive back home. About two or three minutes in the engine light came on and was flashing like a Christmas tree light. I run 95% highway, my max speed was about 54mph in a 70pmh and that was in passing gear, it would slow down, jump into passing gear and max out around 52-54mph about 5 minutes into the ride, I already have my obdII plugged in my cell phone checking the codes, a bunch of them. I snapped two screens of faults. As I start to get into the charts to start recording everything, I notice I'm now doing 80mph and the engine is running like a champ, like she always does. It did this one time yesterday and has not done it again, but now I don't trust her. Anyone have any ideas on this?
the truck is a 2006 F150 5.4 3v with 96,000 all original, did change plugs and coil packs and a new battery a few years ago. everything else is stock.

First screen shot of two.

Second screen shot of two.

 

You had misfiring on cylinders 3 and 4 which are the rear two on the passenger side. Look for bad spark plugs or possibly water down in the spark plug wells as a first look.

one or two of the codes hint at possible phaser/ valve timing issue so that might be next on the list if the plugs check out normal.

 

"possibly water down in the spark plug wells as a first look."

Check your water level in your expansion/fill tank. On my 4.6, (Dorman Intake Manifold) the rubber cap next to cylinders 3 & 4 started leaking from a split in the rubber and there was water all around cylinder 3 & 4 COPs and spark plugs causing a misfire issue. Replaced rubber cap and dried things out and all is now ok. I do not know if your intake manifold has been replaced with a Dorman and I do no not know if the 5.4 uses that rubber cap.

 

That is as good as an answer as any, it was a freezing rain the night before and the roads were wet. My water level is still full.
It's a mystery to me. Thank you for your input. I'm keeping an eye on it, but haven't driven it much since, seeing how I don't trust her now...

 

With that P0012 and two misfires on that passenger side bank, you can throw a Hail Mary and try replacing VCT solenoids and hope for the best.

To be frank, 16-year old timing components are long since on borrowed time.

 

You will need to do some serious diagnostics to determine which area to start at. Your timing issues do point towards the VCT system. Throwing parts at her, is the old way of doing things. Now, we plug her into our diagnostic tool and start monitoring the required PID's to see any fluctuations in the regular operational pattern.
Ford's IDS is a very precise and accurate tool that will test and pinpoint any faults in the system. Has saved me $$$$ in dealer expenses, unnecessary parts and most importantly, TIME...
Without a visual of what is or is not happening, we are working with limited vision...

 

I do agree it would be a hail Mary, I actually did replace the VCT, I honestly forgot about it. But that is one place to start if she does it again.


When I run it now, I'm hooked up and watching, but she is running good still, just the one issue. She has me puzzled. I hope it was a one time deal, but...
Thank you all, I appreciate your input, I hope it's a one time issue and will not have to worry about it. She has always been a good truck, I know she's getting old, but still a good truck.

 

i just resolved the exact same issue about a month ago now. Driving and codes with flashing engine light. I let the truck sit for about a week, tried to start it was running perfect. Replaced VCT solenoids and to date have had no issues. I would def start there.
hope this helps