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PCM - Hard Start/Misfire/Stall/MIL ON/DTCs Present

Article No.
97-12-9

06/09/97

^ ENGINE MISFIRE - MIL LAMP ILLUMINATION -
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) P0300
THROUGH P0306 STORED IN MEMORY - NO
DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS PRESENT - VEHICLES
BUILT THROUGH 4/15/97

^ HARD START - AT ALL AMBIENT
TEMPERATURES - VEHICLES WITH 4.2L ENGINE

^ INDUCTION BACKFIRE - AFTER COLD START - AT
ALL AMBIENT TEMPERATURES - VEHICLES WITH
4.2L ENGINE

^ MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL)
ILLUMINATION - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
(DTCS) P0300 THROUGH P0306 STORED IN
MEMORY - NO DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS
PRESENT - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 4/15/97

^ STALL - ROUGH IDLE - HESITATION/STUMBLE -
AFTER COLD START - AT ALL AMBIENT
TEMPERATURES - VEHICLES WITH 4.2L ENGINE

^ LAMP - MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL)
ILLUMINATION - DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES
(DTCS) P0300 THROUGH P0306 STORED IN
MEMORY - NO DRIVEABILITY CONCERNS
PRESENT - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 4/15/97

LIGHT TRUCK:
1997 E-150, F-150

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to revise the concerned vehicles build dates.

CALIBRATION:
6-44E-R11, 6-44F-R11, 6-44R-R11, 6-44S-R11, 6-43E-R11, 6-43F-R11, 6-43R-R11, 6-43S-R11, 7-44E-R10, 7-44F-R10, 7-44R-R10, 7-44S-R10, 7-43E-R10, 7-43F-R10, 7-43R-R10, 7-43S-R10, 7-44J-R06, 7-44K-R06, 7-44L-R06, 7-44M-R06, 7-44T-R06, 7-44U-R06

WARNING:
THIS MODIFICATION IS AUTHORIZED ONLY FOR THE LISTED ENGINE. PERFORMING THIS MODIFICATION ON OTHER ENGINE CALIBRATIONS IS UNAUTHORIZED AND COULD CREATE LIABILITY UNDER APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR LOCAL LAWS.

ISSUE:
A hard start and rough idle after cold start in ambient temperatures may occur on some vehicles. Hesitation/stumble/engine induction backfire or stall may occur after start during cold engine performance. The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, and P0306 may be stored in continuous memory. This may be caused by poor quality fuel in combination with hardware operating at the minimum or maximum specification limit.








ACTION:
Reprogram Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and replace the spark plugs. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

NOTE:
REGIONAL APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE PCM. EMERGENCY ORDERS ONLY WILL BE FILLED AS SHELF STOCK OF PCMs ARE LIMITED.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Perform normal diagnostics found in the 1997 Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) Service Manual and service as required to rule out hardware, poor fuel quality and other root causes.

2. If the concern still exists, reprogram the PCM using the Service Bay Diagnostic System (SBDS) or New Generation Star (NGS) Tester. Use April 1997 level CD-ROM calibration or later and replace the (AWSF-42E-EG or -EE) spark plugs with the new Spark Plugs (AGSF-34E-E).





Obtain an Authorized Modification Decal (FPS 8262 - obtainable through DOES II, 25/pkg) and list the date, dealer number, and summary of modifications performed. Select a prominent place adjacent to the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal suitable for installing the Authorized Modifications Decal. Clean the area, install the decal, and cover it with a clear plastic decal shield.








Parts Block

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

SUPERSEDES: 97-8-14

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under the Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage And Emissions Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

971209A Reprogram Powertrain 1.3 Hrs.
Control Module (PCM) And
Replace Spark Plugs
Econoline

971209B Reprogram Powertrain 0.9 Hr.
Control Module (PCM) And
Replace Spark Plugs F-150

971209C Replace Powertrain Control 1.5 Hrs.
Module (PCM) And Spark
Plugs - Econoline

971209D Replace Powertrain Control 1.0 Hr.
Module (PCM) And Spark
Plugs - F-150 4X2

971209E Replace Powertrain Control 1.2 Hrs.
Module (PCM) And Spark Plugs
- F-150 4X4

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
12A650 08

OASIS CODES: 206000, 602300, 607000, 607600, 607700, 608000, 608400, 608500, 608600, 611000, 611500, 613000, 613400, 613500, 613700, 698298