Truck Hesitates when accelerating

710

Asked by Quentin Feb 08, 2016 at 07:47 PM about the 2006 Ford F-150 FX4 SuperCrew Styleside 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I can be driving down the road and my truck rides fine. I'll be going 30mph
and step on the gas and it kinda hesitates, it will rev real quick then actually
accelerate. I guess it is thinking about it and then kicks in. Also even then
once I am flooring it it doesnt seem to accelerate very fast. I have Googled
some other threads to see what I could find and try myself (I am not a car
genius). I bought a new fuel pump and a new throttle positioning sensor
and will install this weekend. But I didnt know if maybe it could be
something else and/or are there any more ideas you think it could be
related to?

Thank you for the help.

49 Answers

220,815

Dirty fuel injectors, run some cleaner threw the gas, On the fuel pump all you would have to do is check the fuel pressure to see if it is good.

55 people found this helpful.
220,815

And when you say "it will rev real quick then actually accelerate" makes me think the trany is slipping.

44 people found this helpful.
11,645

I recently replaced both VVT solenoids in my 2004 FX4 Supercrew and what a difference it made. Parts are about $50 ea on Amazon, took about 15 minutes to do the drivers side and 5 minutes for the passenger. I could not believe the difference it made in acceleration response time. My truck has 198,500 miles and I noticed it lagging upon acceleration and just overall lacking acceleration for quite some time. For $100 I think you will be happy with the results.

71 people found this helpful.
73,310

If the engine is increasing in RPM's and you are not accelerating, then suspect tranny slippage.

30 people found this helpful.
34,735

If u already bought the TPS sensor, replace it and see if it helps, it may have a bad spot in it that doesn't accelerate smoothly but bad VVT also give u the same condition

34 people found this helpful.
710

Forgot to say but I have replaced both VVT Solenoids. It has helped when the truck starts cold it doesn't make a loud banging noise for the first few seconds anymore. The old VVT's were definitely in need of changing.

29 people found this helpful.
11,645

Gotcha - So let me ask you this since we are basically driving the same truck. Does it feel like "Slack" when you step on it, rather than slip. Kind of Sluggish/Gutless

38 people found this helpful.
710

Yeah I guess it could be considered more slack than slip

17 people found this helpful.
11,645

Ok - are you running a K and N filter? Mine made a mess of my MASS Air flow sensor - I pulled it out and sprayed it down real good and that made acceleration a lot smoother with less of a slack feeling. I am also running larger tires, 2" lift, heavy winch/bumper and a fiberglass bedcover. I succumbed to some of that being a factor plus the 198K miles. If that doesn't help, I 'm out of ideas and will sit back and learn as other post here

42 people found this helpful.
710

HA, almost the same truck. I dont have a K&N filter but a cheaper Spectre cold air intake. I read in another forum that could be a problem as well, went out and bought some cleaner for it so we shall see tomorrow if it works. Still have a long list of fixes for this weekend, because it needs it plus maintenance. fun fun

15 people found this helpful.
11,645

Looks Good quinwerk - mines a little dirty

11 people found this helpful.
710

and a little nicer. That pic was from when I first got it. Thanks for all the help I appreciate it.

10 people found this helpful.
11,645

Anytime - I hope that fixes her up for you

8 people found this helpful.
140

Just doing some searching on the net for a similar issue I'm having. I was suspecting the TPS myself with my truck. Could you let me know if that's what resolved your issue?

14 people found this helpful.
220,815

Post a question, this one is from 11 months ago.

15 people found this helpful.
585

I have a 2007 F150 with 210k on my truck. Bought it new and well maintained. My truck had acceleration issues as read many posts on the net. It took me months to diagnose. I had access to a camera that you could snake inside the wall to see inside. Dewalt & Milwaukie make them. So I used to see behind the manifold to see is the intake manifold actuator was working. Why I did this?? It seemed that when I pushed on the accelerator it appeared to have no power then accelerate fast in say 4-6 seconds. To me it seemed like it was not getting any air. No miss,, no bucking just lack of power. So I got the camera setup and my wife started the truck and pressed on the accelerator. There was no movement on the actuator. Replaced this weekend and my truck works perfectly. Good luck R

37 people found this helpful.
365

MY 2007 F-150 XLT 5.4 litre hesitates on acceleration up to about 10 MPH. It will also do it if I'm at higher speeds and go to step on the gas. The wrench light comes on after a few miles, and stays on. I've replaced not only the TPS, but the whole dang throttle body...and still hesitates and light still comes on!! ugh! Runs very well otherwise. When it hesitates I just have to step on the gas more and it's fine. Wonder what it could be? The VVT solenoids on my engine are not easy to change, as you have to remove the valve covers to get to them. On other years you could just pull them out right through the covers without taking them off. They will not fit through on mine. Figures.

36 people found this helpful.
430

Driving 2011 ecoboost f150. At 70-80 mph when quick passing a vehicle the truck shutters. I thought it was the transmission. Just started. Any ideas.

43 people found this helpful.
110

Hey i yes want to said thank you to Rowefast for you coment about the vvt valve hey that fixe all my problems thanks again for that coment from (Men4Rent) on my 2004 f150 5.4 motor

11 people found this helpful.
270

Was going buy a ford like this guy from 2 years ago The mechanic said when it warms up it gets sluggish as you drive then he said it could be number seven Is he talking about a coil pack or what ? And thank you

15 people found this helpful.
270

Was going buy a ford like this guy from 2 years ago The mechanic said when it warms up it gets sluggish as you drive then he said it could be number seven Is he talking about a coil pack or what ? And thank you 2007 f150 supercrew 4x4.

12 people found this helpful.
150

I don't have an answer. I have a 2016 F150, With a 5.OL, V8, and mines hesitate on 2, 3, and 4th gear. Too many suggestions and parts to purchase and installing,.....any body can pin point the issue..???

15 people found this helpful.
585

Check your cats. Usually the passenger side fails. The guts disintegrate and clog the exhaust flow hence loss of power and hesitation. Change out mine and have had no problems since. I used Magna flow. Check the compatibility EPA requirements if you find that your ate bad.

21 people found this helpful.
280

Team, I can agree with most that there is a issue with some Ford truck setup. I to have a 2006 FX4 5.4L SuperCrew and there is no issue when no aggressive accelerator load (driving at 55-70mph), but the minute it is floored there is some small jerking and hesitation that lasts for 3-5 seconds before the motor finally catches up but it does make the check engine light flash a few times and goes off. Vehicle is not a daily driver and has 89,000 miles. Cleaned the throttle body, changed the plugs and coil packs, put some Lucas fuel treatment in the tank and nothing has changed. There are many good things to try, but it can drain your pocket to try them all. Help... Knightrider!

28 people found this helpful.
260

had same problem 2007 5.4L 3v F150. reference Ford TSB 06-19-3. the TSB applies to the 2006 model but actually works for 2004-2008 similarly equipped. reflashed the pcm with updates and there is a significant difference initially. local shop that did reflash said must run for a couple hundred miles for problem to completely disappear. pcm will fully adjust during this period. ford denies the whole problem and acts completely ignorant of it when confronted. don't waste your time with a dealership.

17 people found this helpful.
360

I have a question, I drive a 2003 F-150, 104k miles, always has been well maintained, now recently for the past few months the truck seems to struggle when I hit the gas, some times when I want to take off, seems like it gets very little gas. also when driving between 30-45 and I want to go faster, it seems like it stops at 2,000 rpms even if I floor it, after a couple seconds it starts registering and revs up to 3k-4K. Like the issue is sometimes it forgets I’m hitting the gas. I don’t know what to do. My dad just recently gave the truck to me, he had told me that he had replaced all but one spark plug because something about not being able to reach, he had also changed the fuel filter, both of these things about 4ish months ago. I’ve asked around and they to me to clean out the idle air control thing, which is what I’m gonna do today, I’m also replacing the fuel filter once again. Basically my question is; is it ok to change the fuel filter and clean the idle air control valve, or do you guys have a better suggestion? I’m not really good with diagnosing things like this. Any help is appreciated!

36 people found this helpful.
50

I have two 4.9 fords my guest is fuel injectors. 91 was completely overhauled ran sluggish. it was injectors. 92 doing same game with me and i am going to change injectors also. Its doing just like yours. Good luck and May God Bless Ya.

5 people found this helpful.
120

I have a 2007 ford f150 and it just started running bad. Hesitation when excelerating. It showed a code for pressure relief valve on gas tank. If that is bad will that make it hesitate when trying to get up to speed?

12 people found this helpful.
190

I have no answer, only a sim. question. I have a serious hesitation upon acceleration, no codes called out. i cleaned the MAF sensor , and it did not help ? Ford 2000 expedition with a 4.6 ltr auto

19 people found this helpful.
230

WOW! ---- just purchased a used 2013 F150 Ecoboost ----- punched it to pass aggressively the first time ---- and this list of posts explain it ---- shutter is the best word to describe ---- scary if you need the acceleration ---- Hey Ford , what is it ?

23 people found this helpful.
260

My 2004 f150 5.4 in park and nutruel is smooth as can be..when i put it in drive or reverse it seems like every cylinder is mis fireing..has code p0011 and p0021. I don't get it please help

26 people found this helpful.
100

2008 Ford F1 4L V6 When accelerating seem to me like the Exhaust is not getting out so it makes the truck want to run funny like no power and Start knocking

10 people found this helpful.
150

The shudder feeling is most likely caused by your torque converter

10 people found this helpful.
200

Ignition coils is the answer for 90 percent of this thread. I promise.

20 people found this helpful.
90

Same problem with my 99 F150 5.4, new Mass airflow, new plugs, (be careful, they can break), new fuel filter and 1ignition coil #4, now it burns rubber...

9 people found this helpful.
110

Hey guys I have a 98 XLT 4.6 4X4 and it's mis firing on takeoff but when I Rev it it's fine I've replaced coil packs plugs and wires and it was fine for about a week then started doing it again then the engine light started flashing

11 people found this helpful.
100

Hey I'm having a problem with a 2005 Ford f.150 double cab 4x4 it hade it motor changed out once. I took it for a drive it ran good until about 5.minutes on the road I tryed to go 50,mph it started puttering around I was someone it was a miss fire and a o2 sensor that what I was told but I do think it the transmission cause it way over full do you think that the problem if I drain someone out you think that will be the problem basically fix the otwo sensor chaithat miss fire and fuel pump and vvt can get back to asap please

10 people found this helpful.
100

My 2010 F150 is doing the same way. At low speeds in sounds/feels like it’s going to quit running. Just had the VVT solenoid replaced and it was good for about a week. Kinda has a knocking sound right before it sounds like it’s going to quick. Oil light came on but it went right back off. Can anyone help me?

10 people found this helpful.
160

I have a bucking problem. When I accelerate more than gently the throttle cuts out. This problem happens more intensely if the truck is going up a hill. The weird thing is, if I put it in reverse and step on the break and accelerate hard, the throttle does not cut out at all. Any ideas on this? Also, I can post a video to help.

16 people found this helpful.
260

2007 F150 5.4L 3v. went thru hell trying to figure out why on rapid acceleration engine would roar and truck would not accelerate until rpm's reached 4,000+ then lurches forward and settles down. showing no DTC's(codes), no check engine light it was very discerning trying to find the problem. eventually, the engine started idling noisely and when the shop pulled the valve cover on the left side, it was apparent that a lifter had failed and a new cam/lifter was needed. 5.4L are horrible and the owner must learn to deal with it or find a different vehicle.

6 people found this helpful.
30

T. Exact same problem. Ended up jumping time @ 131k 20,000 after it began. I dunno if it was related. Now I'm interested in one thats doing it too. Need help.

3 people found this helpful.
60

My f150 was hesitating when accelerating and ended up being the hose that connects to the emissions purge valve selenoide to the intake. Have someone press the accelerator and you'll see it go flat and back to round when not accelerating. Replaced the hose and no more hesitating

6 people found this helpful.
30

Same issue 2004 5.4. No resolution in site..... Ford you let so many faithful down.

3 people found this helpful.
60

Bought a 06 150 with 5.4 Larriet pkg with 180,000 miles. Truck has bucking & hesitation issues when ambient temp is high, no issues during winter. Have replaced the FPDM but since the problem seems ambient temp related was hesitant on replacing parts w/o diagnosis. Do have good fuel pump pressure about 38psi. Any thoughts or direction would be appreciated

6 people found this helpful.
40

Guys, I have a 1997 F150 4.2L. Ran it out of gas and ever since then, I have the sluggish acceleration. Used some Lucas fuel conditioner but no change. Should I change the fuel filter or the injectors first? Or would it be something else?

4 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2015 f150 3.5 6cyl when I’m driving and try to accelerate really fast the truck will make a wot noise sounds like it coming from rear and truck will feel like it is slipping has been starting to do it more often now I want to say rearend but not sure any help

1 people found this helpful.
10

I bought a 2015 Ford expedition with the eco boost and when I go to pass a vehicle when I accelerate it starts to shutter and the engine lite comes on any ideas??

1 people found this helpful.
10

My 2013 Ford F-150 fx4 doing the same think I changed spark plugs and coil pack and still doing it help please !

1 people found this helpful.

The first thing I would have done is Chase and looked really carefully for a vacuum leak it happens when you only slightly accelerate one of the things that's changing his vacuum it's very unlikely you got a misfire would happen only at that moment where you tried to accelerate and you also need to check take your cap and rotor off if you have an older truck and make sure the distributor is not loose from there that the bearing is still good

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