Coil Packs keep failing

2000 FORD F-150
200,000 MILES • 5.4L • V8 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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PACKERS27
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When I crank up the truck, it idles and runs badly. About two miles down the road, I can stop, put it in park then back in drive and all of a sudden it drives great. When I reach a destination, I cut the truck off and when it is started again, it does the same thing all over again. The truck does not have to be cut off long. As for the codes, all of the codes for coil packs show up. Primary circuits high low or whatever. I think it is P0351 and so on. Also have a P1132. P1132 is usually always there. P1151 shows up often too. Gutted catalytic converters play a role in one of those codes. They were stopped up so gutting them was the route I took. The coil pack codes from the scanner describe the packs as B-H. The plugs and packs was replaced and the truck ran normal for a day or two then back to the same routine.

Work I have done to the truck that may be noteworthy is as followed : gutted catalytic converters, new water pump, new plugs and packs and a couple of downstream o2 sensors.

Also, fuse 23 keeps blowing. It powers my blinkers, four wheel drive solenoid, ABS and overhead console. I cannot seem to track it down.

Anyway, what is going on with my coil packs?
Feb 2, 2018 at 6:21 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

The first thing I would do is check your grounds, especially at the battery and from the engine to the body. Bad grounds are common reason for this.

Check the connectors for the coils as well. make sure there is no damage to the main wiring harness as well.

Roy
Feb 3, 2018 at 5:20 AM
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PACKERS27
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Where exactly would the grounds be from the engine to body? The battery terminal is fine.
Feb 3, 2018 at 12:30 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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The engine like the valve covers to the firewall, radiator support to battery.

Bad grounds are a common reason for this failure.

Roy
Feb 3, 2018 at 1:51 PM
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PACKERS27
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Any more information on this subject?
Feb 7, 2018 at 4:57 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Have you done the checks I suggested?

Roy
Feb 8, 2018 at 1:06 AM
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PACKERS27
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Yes. Everything that I have seen checked out fine.
Feb 8, 2018 at 5:22 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Did you check the harness for any damage? Check to see if the harness is near anything hot and for damage?

Roy
Feb 8, 2018 at 6:46 AM
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PACKERS27
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Yes I did
Feb 8, 2018 at 7:41 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Something is there that is causing these codes. let me look around on the codes.

Roy
Feb 8, 2018 at 7:51 AM
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PACKERS27
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Okay. Also, the harness you speak of is located where? I want to make sure I am looking at the right one.
Feb 8, 2018 at 7:57 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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The harness to the O2 sensor.
The harness on the valve covers for the coils and injectors.

Roy
Feb 8, 2018 at 8:00 AM
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PACKERS27
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I have had a code for P1132 ( O2S11). I have been trying to find a way to get the harness off of the lead harness. There is no slack and hard to reach. I can easily take it off of the exhaust. I have no idea where that harness goes. I am assuming to the PCM, but when I look at the PCM, there is a lot of individual wires coming off and they split off and are taped.
Feb 16, 2018 at 3:04 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Some of the wires go to the inside of the truck, some go to the PCM and some go to the fuse block.

Look under the truck by the exhaust where the O2 sensors are located. See if any are touching the exhaust and have caused damage.

Roy
Feb 16, 2018 at 3:17 PM
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PACKERS27
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Is it possible that a loose wire from the alternator harness can cause these problems? All of my lights surged but I fixed it finally. Have not seen any codes since then but it is only been one day.
Mar 17, 2018 at 9:03 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Yes, a voltage surge from the alternator could cause coil damage.

What or how did you determine the coils failed?
Did you replace the boots as well?

Roy
Mar 18, 2018 at 12:37 PM
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PACKERS27
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I had the coil packs replaced about six months ago because it was throwing codes and the coil packs looked old. I replaced them and the plugs. The boots are made into the COPs. When I replaced them, they worked for about two days and back to the same ole thing. Apparently the coil packs were not shot. They did have low circuit codes PO351 and so on.

Anyway, my battery dash light kept flashing and all interior lights, including headlights pulse nonstop. I figured it was alternator. After I took it off then I un-clipped the harness and something told me to look into the plastic tube covering and when I did I saw that there was a splice and one of the wires was not in the crimp terminal very good and it just pulled out. Since the alternator was already out I went to The Parts House and got them to check it anyway and it showed up good. Then I knew it was that wire. I cut the wires and re-spliced it and taped it up and put it back on the truck and ever since then I have not had any codes or any lights pulsating.
Mar 19, 2018 at 8:18 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
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Good find.

Roy
Mar 19, 2018 at 9:03 AM
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PACKERS27
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Thanks.
Mar 20, 2018 at 8:26 AM
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PACKERS27
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So going back to the coil packs. There is something causing this. It is not the packs or plugs. I am getting six of eight COP codes after they were replaced. Same as before. I do not get any other codes on my scanner. What can cause this, other than the obvious? If there is grounds that are responsible, where are they exactly and is there any parts that could cause this that does not throw a code?
Apr 23, 2018 at 3:26 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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The PCM controls the grounds. It uses that as a signal to fire the coil. check the connections at the PCM for any damaged or loose pins.

I attached a diagram for you to show you the wires go back to the PCM.

You need to check the wires. if the wires are okay, you may have a bad PCM.

Roy

Apr 23, 2018 at 4:22 PM
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PACKERS27
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What part does the radio play in this?
Apr 23, 2018 at 4:32 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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It is just a capacitor for noise suppression.

Roy
Apr 23, 2018 at 4:38 PM
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PACKERS27
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Okay, so after all of this time, I decided to spend some money on this truck. They replaced all plugs, including two heli-coils, all coil packs, and had to fix a burnt wire on the back of block that went to a fuel injector. The truck is running great now. Thanks guys for all of your help,
Sep 24, 2018 at 8:15 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
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You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy
Sep 25, 2018 at 3:19 AM