Throttle stuttering on acceleration

[91Eunos]

@91Eunos any update?

Running like a champ... thanks for the reminder.

 

[CR Gittere]

So my 2019 just got delivered yesterday and has the same exact problem as Darrin, so I am wondering if I got a new truck with an old tune.....

 

[caleb]

So my 2019 just got delivered yesterday and has the same exact problem as Darrin, so I am wondering if I got a new truck with an old tune.....

That's so frustrating. I'm still having this issue with my truck and now within the last 30 days or so, it's started to downshift really hard. Like so hard I thought got rear ended one time. I've had my truck in several times for this, to three different dealers, and none of them can seem to fix it. They all acknowledge the behavior, but none can fix it. I'm ready to sell this $80K pile of garbage and call it a day.

 

[Hawaiian Time]

This transmission shifting and "stuttering" problem is bizarre for sure. You would think Ford would have this figured out and resolved by 2019 Model Year! The PCM and TCM might have to learn your driving habits for a couple weeks before it settles down?

I have an early 2017 Build - March 2017. It had the hard & erratic shifting, surging / stuttering (feels like it is "missing" - old school term) on medium to hard acceleration, and the erratic MPG Bar Display bouncing up and down during steady throttle.

So I brought it into Team Ford LV 2 weeks ago for the A Pillar Insulation Recall. I asked Service Advisor to check Drivability and Transmission for PCM and TCM firmware update TSB's to correct the above problems. I waited for my truck at the dealer.

2 hours later, truck was complete. Insulation Recall done but Grab Handle screw covers were not snapped back on. Service Advisor said they drove the truck and it was "operating as designed" in Normal and Sport modes. SA Mike further said that there are no TSB's for my truck, no trouble codes found. He said Tech noted that I have an Aftermarket CAI Installed that could be causing the problems. No Firmware updates were installed, no trouble found, nothing done per my work order service receipt. I told SA that there is a TSB #18-2079. He said they don't do fIxes based on blogs (FRF). I asked why the Tech cannot just install the PCM TCM Firmware updates. He said that Ford has to approve them doing a 15 minute software load and there were none for my truck anyway - that everything was current??? I objected to them trying to blame the CAI!

When I got their Ford Survey I rated them 1 - Poor / Very Unsatisfied across the board! About a week later the Team Ford Service Manager Rachel called. She defended their findings and said they could test drive my truck with me and their shop foreman if I remove the CAI first, returning the truck to stock first. I reminded her that blaming aftermarket equipment is against the law and that my truck actually runs better with the CAI vs Stock Air Cleaner. She made an appt for me to bring my truck back in for their Shop Foreman to go on a test drive with me.

In the meantime, the problems have cleared up - all 3. The trans shifting, the surging, and the erratic MPG bar display.

I went back to Team Ford today for my appt with Shop Foreman. He said their "tech could not have left off the rear grab handle screw covers because they do not remove those for the Recall".
He snapped covers back on. We looked under the hood at my CAI. He asked if it was wired into the truck. I told him there are no active changes introduced by my AFE CAI, just airflow. He mentioned that 2 Raptors have come in with blown engines caused by AFE Scorcher Power Module Black Box Tuners. He said those blown engines were not covered by warranty due to overboosting the turbos. I explained I have not made any tuning changes or installed any other after market eqpt. He asked if my 35" mud tires have affected my speedo reading. The tires have not because they are only 1/2" taller than stock. So this Ford dealer is really trying to play the blame game now!

Anyway, I told the Foreman that the problems had cleared up as if the TSB had been installed and PCM TCM updated on my last visit. I showed him my printout of TSB 18-2079. He said he is familiar with it and "maybe the first tech had installed it without noting it on the Repair Order". So who knows?!

The only thing I have done since the last service visit between a couple weeks ago and today is run a couple bottles of Fuel Injector Cleaner through it. Could that have fixed everything? I doubt it.

Bottom line - Ford has to approve TCM & PCM updates before dealer will install or they don't get paid for their 15 minutes. Also they are trying to blame Mods for issues, at least at this Dealer, so beware.

One other differrence is that since the shift and surging problems have cleared up my truck has a little less high RPM grunt above 4,000 RPM even in Sport Mode. So I really think they updated firmware last visit. Tech did it for free and did not list it on RO so he wouldnt get in trouble IMO.

Aloha, HT

 

[sobiloff]

The tech could have updated the firmware without noting it, but he also probably disconnected the battery to perform the recall repair. This would have reset the TCM & PCM and forced them into learning mode again. On my truck that sometimes reduces the "missing-like" symptoms for a bit. I haven't had the hard transmission shifting problem, but folks have reported making it go away by pulling power from the TCM and forcing it to re-learn, too.

Sorry to hear you've got a dealer that tries to blame you instead of work with you. Despite these issues I still love the truck—hope you feel the same.

 

[Hawaiian Time]

Battery disconnect and Relearn is a possible fix too. I told the Shop Foreman that I'll monitor to see if the Trans shifting or Stuttering problems come back and if so, I'll be back. Is there a way to read the firmware versions that are installed on my PCM and TCM with Forescan?

This Team Ford Las Vegas Service Dept was great last year now not so much. I think new Service Manager took over earlier this year.

Oh yes, I still love my Raptor every time I drive it. Now even more that its running perfect.

 

[CR Gittere]

Yes my problem was the TCM lost the base map or something like that they put the new program in and the truck seems fine now

 

[03'Darin]

I still struggle to understand the mind set of some service departments. Yes we are in a tough spot between what Ford allows us to do and what they will pay us for yet all while trying to do the right thing for the customer. But blaming the running and shifting problem on the CAI is a bit overboard. First off the CAI would not affect the shifting issue.

If there is an update and we "verify" that you have a symptom related to it Ford will pay for the update (as long as the truck is still under warranty).

Some update on the running situation with my truck. I now have almost 43k miles on it. I have had some issues recently with some firm shifting during initial pull out. Nothing like it was before and just occasionally now.

The engine "miss" is just barely detectable and only during cooler temps. I'm sure 99% of drivers wouldn't even notice it.

All in all I'm very satisfied with the results from the update.

 

[Antho]

I still struggle to understand the mind set of some service departments. Yes we are in a tough spot between what Ford allows us to do and what they will pay us for yet all while trying to do the right thing for the customer. But blaming the running and shifting problem on the CAI is a bit overboard. First off the CAI would not affect the shifting issue.

If there is an update and we "verify" that you have a symptom related to it Ford will pay for the update (as long as the truck is still under warranty).

Some update on the running situation with my truck. I now have almost 43k miles on it. I have had some issues recently with some firm shifting during initial pull out. Nothing like it was before and just occasionally now.

The engine "miss" is just barely detectable and only during cooler temps. I'm sure 99% of drivers wouldn't even notice it.

All in all I'm very satisfied with the results from the update.

Darin,
Thanks for making this thread. I am having the exact issue you described. Do know what part number and strategy you have on the TCM and PCM? Mine is currently listed below. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
TCM part # HL3A-12B565-GB
TCM strategy HL3A-14C337-HH

PCM part # HL3A-12A650-BBB
PCM strategy HL3A-14C204-BRG

 

[03'Darin]

You're welcome.

Not sure which strategy I have but here is a snip from the TSB. "Diagnostic Software (FJDS) release 108.04 or higher".

I'll see if i can find anything additonal