VCT Solenoid
 

First of all I have put in many hours researching the problem I am having with my truck. Very hard to determine what it is because my truck has failed to throw a trouble code. The only time I ever got anything was a flashing check engine light that happened on two occasions with 4 flashes. But now that the problem seems to be getting worse there has been no codes thrown or flashing check engine light. As you can tell I am very frustrated. I have talked to the Ford service tech and he was very willilng to give advice. With all that I have done it kinda leaves everyone scratching their heads. I have changed all the spark plugs, coil packs, cam sensors. All fluids including cleaning the mass air flow sensor and throttle body. My truck hesitates bad, jerks hard, and will back fire while under acceleration/load. It does not do any of this while idling, reving in park, or under slow and smooth acceleration. But as soon as my engine wants more throttle to maintain speed or if I accelerate too fast it does it like clockwork. Having research for many hours, I am leaning towards the VCT solenoid being the problem. If you Google VCT Solenoid, it gives a detailed answer on how to change it on my exact truck and the problems they were experiencing and how it ran like new after the change. Seems easy too and not too much money involved. The only troubling difference is that they got codes that leaned them towards doing the work. I don't have the codes but have the exact same symptoms as they have. I feel stupid because I have asked anyone and everyone I know about this and no one really has an answer. I have made other posts with little or no help and that is why I started this post. Hoping that someone here has had first hand knowledge of this problem and can give me advice as to what they think my problem could be taking in account all that I have done so far. I really appreciate someone taking the time to be of help. I have no problem changing the VCT Solenoids myself. I just wanna make sure it is that problem. Can't trust Ford dealerships after reading the other forums. They all had the same problems and were told they needed new engines. LOL! I hope I can fix this problem easily enough. I can't even begin to believe that it's something too serious because my truck runs like a dream if I baby it. Sorry for such a long posting, I just want to give all the info I can so I can recieve the kind of help I am looking for. Again, Google "VCT Solenoid on '04 F150' and see if you think my problem is the same. Thanks..... fromn

Oh yeah, one more piece of information. I selected the Variable Cam Deg to be viewed while driving on my Gryphon. It reads anywhere from 30-40 while driving without hesitation/jerking/backfire. Anytime I accelerate and the truck acts a fool the cam deg goes immediately to ZERO! And as soon as I ease up on the throttle or back off all together the truck smooths out and the cam deg goes back to what it reads when it is running good. Does this mean my VCT Solenoid is bad on both banks? Cam sensors are new as of Thursday.

The cam advancement is probably just like the ignition advancement where it lowers under load. From what I've found searching it sounds really close. I don't know anything about this but if you can trust your local dealership ask them. I know that not ALL of them are crooks. You can ask for their opinion but not let them do any work on it.

I had the same problem. Once I changed out the VCT everything was fine. I do believe that you can do it yourself. I did with out any problems.