Ford 4.9l (300 c.i.d.) Hesitation and Startup Fix 

I've got the same engine with 210K, and it was bucking at low rpm's, sluggish response, and getting bad mileage. I tested for diagnostic codes and got a code 122 that indicated low voltage on the TPS. I was getting ready to order a new TPS, but luckily saw your video first. A couple shots of electronic parts cleaner on the TPS connector and it solved everything. Thanks for posting.

I've had trouble like many have described here, 94 f150 4.9 l. There is a sensor on the distributor shaft called profile ignition pickup or PIP. it is critical for the timing advance to work as the engine revs. Easy replacement, just my $.02. Mine did the hurkajerk till I thought it would fall apart. Great info on the connectors and sensors, thanks for the vid.

My Dad bought an 88 4x4 5speed with 83k on it for $800 that is cherry that didn't run.Mechanic told the guy it would be $1,100 to fix. Sparyed the pintle of the ICV with brake cleaner after the bill of sale was signed and it ran like the day it rolled off the show room floor. Guy said you got one hell of a deal. We agreed. Oil hadn't been changed in 2 1/2 years and looked new.you may have forgot to do that in this video but it still got the ball rolling.Thanks!Love this truck!

Thanks for the tip! I've got a 92 F150 with 208K+ miles on it and have developed the same issue that you and others have described. I'm getting ready to change the fuel filter and I will clean the TPS terminal while I'm at it. I already removed the IAC valve and cleaned the carbon out of it with no results so I've kinda been at a loss as to where I should look next. Thanks again!

Worked on mine. She conked out on me leaving home depot, it would barely run. Left her there over night and went back today and same thing. I could hear the fuel pump coming on when I turned the key to first position so I was pretty sure it wasn't that. Cleaned the two sensors and whamoo! she started right up and purred like a kitten. I think part of my issue was my power steering cap came loose and sprayed oil everywhere, but the metal connected were slightly corroded too. Thanks again.

Thanks much. I had been told the Ignition Control Module is the next thing to replace for issues like this when your cleaning method refuses to work... (ebay $24. or New Ford part $124.)

That has to be the cleanest 4.9l I've ever seen

@jonstaskis; I just found out there was a technical service bulletin on this. The condition in the bulletin states that the throttle body gasket gets sucked into the intake manifold. According to procedure a revised gasket is available for the throttle body to intake manifold mounting and it should correct the problem.

Have a '95. Went a year with jerking and stalling like it was running out of gas. I cleaned the tps, tune-up all electrical I could do, didn't fix. Thought may be injectors or fuel pump. Before I tried one of those I did the simplest thing, I changed the o2 sensor and WHAAA LAAAA FIXED!! Very easy cheap fix $54. Try it if your having similar problems.

You're welcome. I always like to start at the smallest possible point to start diagnosing electrical problems.

Thank you for your video. This has been helpful in trying to fix my 89 F-150. But to blame the cold, well, I can't believe. My truck only had problems because I let it sit for 5 years, and before that, it would start up in -25 F in the North Dakota winters up here, even if not plugged in. The EFI 4.9l can handle the cold just fine, when working properly, so 23 above should be nothing.

Really? Idle speed control, u mean idle air control valve is what it's called. And the IACV as its abbreviated, almost always has issues because of gunk buildup in the solenoid. Just spray brake parts cleaner in the valve actually remove the valve and spray it in there work it around and also make sure like he said there is no corrosion on the contacts. ALSO. If your engine starts to race make sure you get your TPS inspected. And replace only with motorcraft or equivalent.

Same here, bucking at low speeds. Wish I would have seen this before I spent $60 on plugs and wires. Thanks for posting!

I had an 88' with the whining noise, didn't this much of it until it sounded like a pulley was going to fly off lol it was my smog pump, and my fiance's 89' xlt 4.9L 6 has that hesitation, I'm gonna try that brake cleaner in the AM. Thanks for the vid!

That is one sweet looking f250 i must say

This video made me smile

i did the throttle body gasket to all my problems are fixed thanks for to videos

I'm working on the same truck, except it's an '88. We've cleaned all connectors for the MAP, IAC, and TPS. That didn't work, so we replaced the IAC, and went ahead and replaced the distributor wires and rotor. (I was going to put a new cap on it, but USPS didn't think it needed it) The throttle body also got a good cleaning with TB cleaner. The thing still idles very rough, and hesitates until it gets up to speed. But, it runs perfect with any vacuum hose removed from the intake manifold. I'm going to check the Fuel pressure regulator next, maybe it's stuck on thinking it needs high pressure so it runs too rich. But, Incase that doesn't work, and pulling codes ends up telling me nothing, I will be needing some ideas.

Stock headers are the best, unless you go completely custom, anything off a shelf won't show any improvements. For the muffler, I cut mine off and put some pipe to dump before the rear passenger tire. I have a '95 with the 300. I like the sound, but will be testing a few mufflers to tone it down a bit, since it's a high drone on the highways, but in town I like it.

Gets Actron CP9690 code tester. It checks live, record, graphing, emissions tests, transmission codes, it has code connect to diagnose codes. It does MORE! It works on 1983-2013. It's updatable. EBAY has it.

@ThEc00lEr Absolutely. Always tinkering, but the 4.9l's sure do run nice

Thanks, my 4.9 does all that and more (91). I'll try your fix

@ThEc00lEr It's the power steering pump. Mine does it too....most old Fords do.

@burnem94 oops, wrong person. That's the PCV hose. goes from valve cover to air filter/air box.

@FerdinandMagellan u should rmove the idle control valve and clean the pintle of it with carb, or brake cleaner, and u should clean out the throttle body.

@FerdinandMagellan08 I tried this and it didn't work. Do you suppose plugging the EGR hose would help with a hesitation when I tap the throttle gently?

@FerdinandMagellan08 yep, they ALL have that whiny power steering pump. Does your truck have a loose steering box?

I have a 1984 ford econoline 150 . My van drives great in the winter time . In the summer when the temp is over 70 and I turn the ac on the car drives for 20 30 minutes then dies out but not a complete die out it bawgs out . I let it sit for 20 minutes then it starts right back up and runs for another 20 30 minutes . Any idea what this could be I took it to 2 mechanics and they fix the wrong shit and tell me it's fine . I have a new engine control module new spark plugs and wires and a new air filter .. any ideas ?? Thanks !

note to this video.. brake cleaner is corrosive to plastic. and will shorten the life of the plastic. use Dialectric cleaner . they are usually alcohol based instead of ether based. it also prevents shorts on the ecu and flushes out corrosion really good to. but if its all you got and the car aint got another 100k miles in it. go for it

So what is the area behind the oil fill and where is the hose going

I have the same problem with mi ford pick up i change 2 pieces the tps and the map and the problem still there.whats wrong

I had a similar problem with my 1993 F150 4.9l truck. After replacing the O2 sensor, the fuel filter, the MAP sensor, a friend who is a professional mechanic said to try the water temperature sending unit. It fired right up. The fuel pressure was good. Mt truck sat idle for over six months because of a bad $10.00 sending unit. Live and learn. My truck got to where it was not only hard to start, but you had to pump the accelerator just to keep it running. It smoked badly. All is well now.

Still chasing mine. What happens with mine. When cold, it starts fantastic. Runs and steps down on the throttle as it should. As long as its cold you can turn it off and restart. No issues. The issue rears its head at a restart on a warm engine. It sputters and dies. Try it again and 75% chance it will stutter and die. It it does stay running. You can tell the computer is searching for the right mix. Third start when warm. Starts and runs normal. Have a OBD1 tester= No fault codes. Now here is my list of fixes. Idle air controller is 3 years old. Cleaned it up. Throttle body gaskets has been replaced. Was bad. Throttle position sensor= new. Coolant temp sensor= New MAP sensor= new Computer = new EGR valve= Removed and cleaned to insure no sticking ect. Thats about it for my fixes. Its has had a completer tune up with new ignition system. Truck only has 108,000 miles When I got it. The throttle body gasket had been bad for some time. To compensate, they just increased the idle speed to get past the air leak. Not sure how long they ran it like that. Was a muni truck so i have complete maint records. They had replaced the idle speed controller twice. So mostly I have been fixing their fixes. I think i will swing back to the Idle speed controller. I have another 4.9 in a F250 that runs flawless. Maybe swap it out to see. I need a new hat R&R man!!

Thanks for this video that's what i am going to do on my 87 ford truck 4.9 it hesitates a little

Great video 👍 I'd really like a video on how to cut out all this junk and Mopar the thing

yea guys I ran my front fuel tank out of gas by accident I've been trying to get it back up and working by flipping the switch over rear to front while driving at highway speed its not working and all of a sudden it started to hesitate on the good tank I need some help if you have any solutions.thanks ted

Gonna try it but don't think this is it. My 96' 4.9 starts but "diesels" when hot. You can floor the gas and do whatever but it won't do anything but idle rough. Then it just "pops" and smooths right out and you are good to go until you cut it off again.Starts cold every time, just when it sits and heat soaks. Replaced coil, took IAC off and cleaned out, bypassed egr but nothing has helped.

No, actually, you can put a little bit around the outside of the male end connector and it will help seal out the elements better than the rubber seal.

@jonstaskis same here but i changed the fluid and its quieter now but still has the wine. Now im used to it and don't even notice it as their are other things to worry about on the truck....

@ThEc00lEr Yup, same with my 92 f150, when it's idling around all you can hear is the pump, it's pretty funny actually

@burnem94; That is the throttle body air intake hose.

On the value cover what is the cap and hose that runs to the air filter box? Trying to figure what the name of the plastic part it is

intake manifold temp sensor... what size deep socket

I have a 1995 f150 4.9 and when I hit the gas it’ll bog down and cause an ignition ping, I’ve don’t all this, I’ve took sensors off and cleaned them! I’m lost

Does dielectric grease harm a connection such as this?

@FerdinandMagellan08 PCV hose goes from valve cover to air filter/air box.

Whats the whining in the video? Mine just started that after replacing the camshiaft, camshaft gears, lifters, waterpump, cap and rotor and plugs. It didnt do it before hand and now it does. Its nuts. The computer was replace about a yr ago. And now it spits, sputters, and jerks upon acceleration. So im going to replace the whole fuel system basically today. Ugh, I love the 4.9. But I think it's time to fianlly finish building my 306 for it and put this 4.9 in something crazy like a home built 4x4 buggy. All the torque in the world.

Did you ever figure out the reason why it comes stolen and what is RPM limit

Tried this on my 89 i6 and it worked for about 10k and then began hesitating again. Should I consider replacing my tps? Is this an easy job?

@ThEc00lEr; I think it's the power steering pump. It has whined like that ever since I've owned the truck. I don't think it's going bad though.

what year did they start using the MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR on the Ford F150's?

What’s the name of the sensor that’s on the inside of the fender on the driver side?

Some makers call it an Idle Speed Control, some call it an idle air controller, it's called many things. I have a video how to clean the throttle body and how to clean the idle air motor. Many times the problem is cause by the conditions under TSBs 95210 and 962016.

Can someone help me out with some information I have a 94 Ford F150 4 .9. After driving it for a while it starts to skip and miss going down the road but only after driving it gor awhile

I thought my ETC was going out but not for sure lol. Maybe I should spray brake fluid on the map sensor to make sure just to narrow it down.

they leave out the issue is the computers start to fail after 10 years, slowly it gets harder to run until it wont. remove the computer pop the cover and look for 3 burned spots. its capacitors that fail and cause a ton of issues, rebuild the computer or replace it

Can you help me? I have same vehicle. It sat for 3 years. Won't start. No spark. Firestone can't figure it out. Any idea? Thanks so much.

@ThEc00lEr I'll tell you one thing about fords. ALL Ford's power steering pumps whine like that. Unless they don't, in that case it's a loose belt making noise. haha

did you ever get this solved? I'm having the same issue

I have a1990 f150 4.9 in line 6cylinder runs perfect in till it warms up then it starts missing the engine light comes on our put a new distributor in it New plugs plug wires cap and the hole nine yards it acks like a file problem can anyone give me a idea of what could be the problem please

@FerdinandMagellan08 Awesome! Do you think you can send a link my way? Thanks

@mamas4turd4sniffer; You can try spraying brake cleaner or some electronic cleaner on it to get the dirt of the contacts. Fords are one of the world's worst about not running right if a connector to a vital component is contaminated with dirt.

Black power steering fluid and matching black brake fluid. You know those need replaced right? Also the rear diff and trans fluids........ Not much into maintenance I see.

little bit means a lot

have 94 4.9 does the GPS need to be adjusted or just goes on

Man I need help with mine cranks up every time and when I start to drive my check engine light will come on then it runs like crap it will cut out and almost die I stop then put it in neutral rev it a lil then go again couple minutes later then it will do it again I put a new map sensor idk I'm lost there is a leak in my gas tank but Idk if that would couse something like that and it so bad I can't get it to town to have a scan done

@jonstaskis yeah i know that now... Ive got a 79 f100 and a 97 f150 along with a 1990 f150 and every one has a wine to them but they work fine so now im used to it.

4.9 is a great motor torque monster!!!!!!

I've got a 89 f150 300 6 or 4.9 get fire n I replaced both fuel pump n only hit when spaying starting fluid it but want start

I've got the same engine with a stick shift in my '89 F150 and it revs up and down at idle. After it runs for about 10 mins it will idle smoothly. However, if you shut it off and start it up again it does the exact same thing. Does that sound like a TPS issue? It has done this as long as I've owned the truck, about 10 years, and has progressively got worse.

1996 ford e250 4.9 starts up runs 10 minutes then cuts off. let it sit awhile starts right up. drive 2 miles cuts off.

whats redline on the 4.9l

hey do you know what that wine is i have that same exact wine on my 4.9 and i want to make it stop lol but it only does it at idle

did you ever get this solved?

92 f150, 4.9 liter, 144,000 original miles, anyone know can you remove and re-install power steering pump pulley on vehicle without removing radiator or removing bracket and removing pulley in vice. Thanks for any help, Thanks for the tip about connectors going out to try the fix now.

My 96 was back firing" when I floored it. It was The crank sensor.

the whining I hear in the video I now have pretty badly my idle seems to be higher even when warmed up for some weird reason

@FerdinandMagellan08 i know its not the steering pump i just rebuilt it but i think it might be the smog pump mines about to fail so who knows lol but mines been making that noise ever since i got it like yours it just gotten louder and louder

Al parecer todos hemos tenido ese problema

Great help ! thanks

that's what made the 65 to 84 the best 300s the one barrel carb will never give fail you so long as you hit it with some carb cleaner every 6 months or so my 82 300 is in its 3 truck already and still going strong its in my 79 350 right now but it gets it done

I had problem. With 92 ford truck i look up on u tub cant tell me nuthing it was my mane brane box ihad bernt. Burnt wire smel i called peapl thay cant tell me ware it is well i got be hind e brake

Where is the correct idel speed?

I did that in another video. I can't remember when though.

@DonnyG77 Usually only when the fluid is low. Properly filled they should purr like a kitty.

Is this 4.9 carbed or efi?

Nice truck

well i didnt know that itryed it on my 92 f150 and now that hesitation is gone

Hello, I live in Brazil, I went crazy with that frame of the instrument panel is made of wood? I have a F1000 engine 4.9i 98 years, and here in Brazil there is no such frame. Gostari indicate that you stop me as I get around this frame. hug Fernando

@FerdinandMagellan08 Sorry I ment 1:53

this maybe a long shot for u but i just got my truck running like new i loot out my buzer for my door and key and it runs like new dont no if it will for u but it did for me

thank you!.......c

@FerdiandMagellan08 Oh ok lol.

why does all fords sound like the power steering is messed up?

about 7 i think..

That whine is common in many Ford products

@mamas4turd4sniffer I wouldn't use brake fluid. Lol.

this is a diesel right?

Ber en español

No bueno