My 98 F150 with the "shakes" has 4.56 gears in it?

Question

has 4.56 gears and yes it is constant when it happens, doesn't do it all the time though and sometimes the check engine light will go from being constant to flashing, what does this mean? This is the newest truck I have ever had and don't know much about them. Give me an old carbed ford and we'll be talking!

Answer 1

What exactly do you mean, by 4.56 gears? A '98 F-150 was only available with either 3.55, 3.73, or 4.10 rear axle ratios. If the "check engine" light is FLASHING, that means you have what is called a "class A" misfire (meaning a misfire that WILL result in catalyst damage, if not repaired immediately). This would probably explain the shaking you are experiencing due to the engine running rough. What engine do you have? The 4.2L V6, 4.6L or 5.4L V8? I know that model year had issues of the heater hose connection to the back of the intake manifold leaking coolant onto cylinder #4 coil, if it has the 5.4L V8. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Rakel is correct.. only way to get that gearing in there is someone changed it from factory.... as basically everything she said is correct...

But will add that the coil packs on the 5.4 engines do have pattern failures (meaning they are known for going out.. the coil packs on the 4.2s also)

Basically think of it this way.. on the old carbed Ford, you basically either changed everything in the way of a tuneup or you brought it to a mechanic to "scope it out" for you to tell you what was wrong...

With the check engine light..basically it makes the mechanics job easier of finding what cylinder is missing (as it can catch it going down the highway which the old mechanic could never do)

But love the other guys answer.. and I agree with him

Answer 3

I tried to answer this before. the last time it was worded, it was sounding like a trans prob. read this guys other Q's. yea flashing check engine light is real bad. your rough running at idle may be the shaking you are feeling in overdrive. he also has 35" tires on it ( read his other Q's) constant shaking sound like a miss in one of your cylinders and a quick check of the check engine light at autozone will pin point your problem.

Answer 4

She's getting 10 points.