Hi, I have a 2003 F150XL, 4.2l v6.

First problem, my check engine light, nor the entire left cluster, comes on when I turn the key. I checked every fuse, and found no loose wires under the steering column. What could be the cause?

Second issue is that the engine vibrates or "hums" (sound seems to come from under the PCV hose somewhere, towards the front) when idling in gear. In park or neutral it doesn't vibrate. Accelerating makes vibration go away. I've already replaced IAC, and PCV hose (was leaking). It seems worse when its hot out and the engine is warmed up. Turning the steering wheel in place kinda makes it stop for a second.

 

Start with checking the ECM for any water damage. Also since your dash cluster isn't working, hook up a reader and see if any codes are stored.

 

The incorrect PCV valve will cause a hum like that. Motorcraft is the ONLY valve with the correct margins for these trucks. Others' Fram and what not, -margins are to the and the engine won't breath correctly. The wrong PCV valves is an engine slow kill. Fram is a proven enemy of these engines, -and that's at every maintenance aspect, not just PCV valves.

In case your unaware. Be good to your truck.

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Sounds like you have a crack in the cluster PCB, which is common. Easy fix most of the time, - just a re-solder.

 

It had the sound before I replaced the PCV--with the Ford parts from the dealer.

I did buy a odb2 reader today, and luckily there were no codes. Truck only has 96k, and it runs great. The hum is just a real annoyance.

 

I meant to say GEM not ECM. Not sure what I was thinking.

 

Yea, what are yoiu thinking lol? IF your unaware , -there's no ECM's on these truck anyway. PCM's yes. Sort of the same I think, well it depends upon what the "E" identifies in your ECM.

 

Well, are you absolutely sure you have a Motorcraft PCV valve ? Also, did you do any riggen to your air intake ? Check the breather as well, make sure it's not plugged...I doubt it is, but. The IAC I suppose could make that noise too. So can the EVR. You have to play touchy feely with that engine to determine vibration. Vibration transfers from part to part, follow that as much as you can.

 

Yes, it is absolutely Motorcraft PCV hose and valve from the dealer, because they don't make aftermarket ones for the 2001-2003 F150, or at least not that I could find.

I originally thought it was the IAC, so I replaced that first. No change.

I'm just gonna have to take off the belt to isolate the issue, which is something I've always dreaded...

 

It's time to take the dash apart, and check (and clean the contacts) connectors into your gauge cluster. On '99+ clusters, there's some circuitry in them that's mated to the truck's GEM module. If some pins aren't making good contact....that might explain the left side of the cluster not working....