Sudden Rough Running SB 2004

[kutlass69]

Gents, first - hope all had a great and safe Christmas (or holiday season).

Screen name is "kutlass69", but Im Dan. I live in NE FL. I don't post much, but I check out here often to find solutions to various problems I have with my 2004 SB.

My latest glitch was a WS washer that stopped squirting. Problem was easy fix - clean the gunk out of the reservoir. In order to do that, I took off the airbox and MAF to access it. I unplugged the MAF, removed the 3 bolts holding in the airbox, then finally removed the reservoir and cleaned it out. Works great now.

The problem is that when I reinstalled the airbox and MAF, then fired up the car, it idles rough - like a missing cylinder or two. I don't have a scanner (yet) to check for a code. Car has brand new Motorcraft plugs; same COPs. Has fresh PCV. The car has no power and bucks on moderate to hard acceleration. Trans also shifts sluggish instead of good firm shift it had just hours before. I unplugged then replugged the MAF connector - no change. I removed the airbox and cleaned the MAF with Seafoam - no change.

Don't wanna hit up local Ford dealer if I can fix myself.

Any ideas? While I've worked on cars for decades, but Im fairly new to working on the "computer and electronic" aspect of newer cars.

Finally, as mentioned above, I do not have a scanner yet. I've looked over Actron and Innova scanners and websites (and Autel which I don't care for based on reviews). I've also checked Amazon reviews. Thought Id ask here what most feel to be the best for troubleshooting a Marauder. I have a budget of about $200 to work with.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer up. I guess with 176K miles, something is bound to give up the ghost before long.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer up.

Dan, "kutlass69"

[loud2004marquis]

Might not be related to your problem directly, but there is a special cleaner used for the MAF as it is a rather sensitive part. Hope you get it all sorted out!
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41fX171WA3L.jpg

[RubberCtyRauder]

seafoam on the MAF might not be the best as mentioned above, very delicate and sensitive..never touch the MAF wire.

[Fastbob]

Using Seafoam for cleaning the MAF would be a big no no. Seafoam is more like an oil than it is a solvent. Do like "Loud2004" said and get a can of MAF cleaner. When you clean the MAF, just spray it down well where the fine sensor wires are. Do not use a q-tip or anything else, just spay it down and let the cleaner evaporate. Never touch the fine internal sensor wire. Hope this is the fix.

Bob

[RubberCtyRauder]

If worse comes to worse. I have a Maraduer MAF I'll sell for quite reasonable if it gets down to that. Try MAF cleaner first as instructed

[Bruce Wayne]

go over and check all connections and fittings very thoroughly , any small air leak upon reassembly can and will cause this condition

[fastblackmerc]

Check the MAF connection. Check the orientation of the MAF.

[RF Overlord]

^^^what they all said^^^

For code scanners, I have this one (https://actron.com/content/obd-ii-auto-scanner-plus). Get it from Amazon for a lot less money than from Actron's web site...

Note: it also does ABS codes.

[justbob]

^^^what they all said^^^

.


What he said^^^ :)


Builder Of Badassery

[1Marauder]

+1

I had simliar issue and found small misalignment / air leak at top of air unit near top of intake.

After you clean the Maf... Take a few deep relaxing breaths, and loosen all of the clamps a few turns, gently reinstall realign air cleaner unit making sure all pieces have good overlap, and retighten all clamps. I know it sounds lame re-reading it.