Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1611

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Coolant leaks.  

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Water/anti-freeze mixture.  

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Radiator condition.  

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Collapsed/restricted radiator hoses.  

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Radiator pressure cap.  

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Overflow system.  

Miscellaneous Component Or System Checks 

Check the following:  

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On Mustang and ZX2, if cooling fan(s) do not operate at any speed, go to TEST X: CONSTANT 
CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 40) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, 
FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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On Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, LS, Thunderbird and Town Car, if hydraulic cooling fan(s) do not 
operate at any speed, go to step TEST KN: VARIABLE SPEED ELECTRIC COOLING FAN , step 
15) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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On Expedition, Navigator and Pickups with Visctronic cooling fan clutch, if cooling fan does not operate, 
go to TEST KG: VISCTRONIC DRIVE FAN CLUTCH , step 4) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-
DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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On all others, if cooling fan(s) do not operate at all speeds, go to TEST KF: FAN CONTROL RELAY , 
step 25) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

If directed back here from another article for further cooling fan diagnosis, check engine cooling system for 
mechanical faults. See COOLING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING under ENGINE MECHANICAL in 
TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION. 

ELECTRIC, HYDRAULIC OR VISCTRONIC COOLING FAN(S) ALWAYS ON 

Miscellaneous Component Or System Checks 

Ensure all accessories, A/C and defroster are off, and engine is cooled (so cooling fan would not normally come 
on). Start engine. Check electric or hydraulic cooling fan. If cooling fan runs continuously, check cooling fan 
ACPSW or ACP circuits. Perform the following:  

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On ZX2 and Mustang 4.6L, go to TEST X: CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 80) 
under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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On Mustang 3.8L, go to TEST X: CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 82) under 
SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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On Windstar, go to TEST KF: FAN CONTROL RELAY , step 63) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-
DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article. 

NOTE:

This is intended to diagnose an electric, hydraulic or Visctronic cooling fan that 
is always on with a "cool" engine, and A/C and defroster off.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Trouble Shooting - No Codes - CNG, Flex-Fuel & Gasoline

  

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On Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, LS, Thunderbird and Town Car, verify results of quick test. See 
QUICK TEST in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article. Visually inspect 
cooling fan for concerns.  

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On Pickups with Visctronic cooling fan clutch, go to TEST KG: VISCTRONIC DRIVE FAN 
CLUTCH , step 10) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & 
GASOLINE article.  

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On all other models, go to TEST KF: FAN CONTROL RELAY , step 60) under SYSTEM TESTS in 
SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

If directed back here from another article for further cooling fan diagnosis, check engine cooling system for 
mechanical faults. Check engine cooling system for mechanical faults. See COOLING SYSTEM TROUBLE 
SHOOTING under ENGINE MECHANICAL in TROUBLE SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in 
GENERAL INFORMATION. 

EXHAUST SMOKE 

Black Smoke (Rich Mixture) 

Check the following:  

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Check fuel delivery system. Go to TEST HB: NATURAL GAS FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM , step 1)
(Natural Gas models), or go to TEST HC: GASOLINE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM , step 1) (all 
others) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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Check secondary ignition system. Go to TEST JB: SECONDARY IGNITION , step 1) under SYSTEM 
TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

Blue Smoke (Burning Oil) 

Check the following:  

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Check PCV system. For Aviator and Mustang 4.6L, go to TEST HG: PCV SYSTEM , step 1) under 
SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article. For all others, 
go to TEST HG: PCV SYSTEM , step 4) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, 
FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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Check engine mechanical condition. Check valve guides, valve stems, valve seals, oil drain passages in 
cylinder heads (Blue smoke on start-up), piston rings and cylinder bores, and repair as necessary. See 
appropriate article in ENGINES.  

White Smoke (Water In Combustion) 

Check for cylinder head gasket leaks, intake manifold gasket leaks, cracked engine block or cylinder head(s) 
and repair as necessary. See appropriate article in ENGINES.

NOTE:

Black smoke may indicate a rich fuel mixture, blue smoke may indicate engine 
burning oil, and white smoke may indicate water in combustion chamber.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Trouble Shooting - No Codes - CNG, Flex-Fuel & Gasoline

  

FUEL ODOR 

Preliminary Checks 

Check fuel tank(s), hoses, connectors and lines for leaks. 

Symptom Checks 

Check the following:  

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On Natural Gas models, check fuel delivery system for leaks. Go to TEST HB: NATURAL GAS FUEL 
DELIVERY SYSTEM , step 16) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-
FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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On all models, check EVAP emission system for leaks. See EXCESSIVE FUEL ODOR under 
SYSTEM TESTS (EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS) in SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - 
GASOLINE article.  

ENGINE NOISE 

Symptom Checks 

A snap noise may be due to secondary ignition arcing. On Coil On Plug (COP) models, check condition of 
spark plug boots. On all other models, check secondary ignition system. Go to TEST JB: SECONDARY 
IGNITION , step 1) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE 
article. 

CLIMATE CONTROL (LACK OF A/C COOLING, A/C ALWAYS ON OR A/C INOPERATIVE) 

Lack Of A/C Cooling Or A/C Inoperative (Mustang) 

Go to TEST X: CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 98) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-
DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article. 

A/C Always On (Mustang) 

Go to TEST X: CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 140) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF 
DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.

NOTE:

Attempt to identify source of noise. If noise is from another source other than 
secondary ignition system, go to SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS (for noise such as 
spark knock), or for other engine mechanical noise, See GASOLINE ENGINE - 
MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING under ENGINE MECHANICAL in TROUBLE 
SHOOTING - BASIC PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

NOTE:

For additional A/C system information, see appropriate MANUAL or 
AUTOMATIC A/C-HEATER SYSTEMS article in AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Trouble Shooting - No Codes - CNG, Flex-Fuel & Gasoline

  

A/C Does Not Turn Off During WOT (Mustang)

Go to TEST X: CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 130) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF 
DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article. 

A/C System Concerns (All Others) 

Check A/C system. See appropriate MANUAL or AUTOMATIC A/C-HEATER SYSTEMS article in AIR 
CONDITIONING & HEATING for diagnosis and repair. 

WACF PID Displays YES 

If directed here from a MANUAL or AUTOMATIC A/C-HEATER SYSTEMS article with Parameter 
Identification (PID) WACF displaying YES (fault present), perform diagnostics for KOEO DTC P1460. For 
Mustang and ZX2, see TEST X: CONSTANT CONTROL RELAY MODULE , step 105) , for all others, see 
TEST KM: A/C CLUTCH RELAY & A/C CIRCUITS , step 1) in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-
FUEL & GASOLINE article. 

EXHAUST ODOR (SULFUR SMELL) 

Preliminary Checks 

Ensure odor is from exhaust and not from an under hood odor, such as battery acid. Ensure that there are no 
other driveability or exhaust smoke symptoms. See appropriate symptom under SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS 
under SYMPTOMS. 

Symptom Checks 

Check the following items:  

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Check fuel delivery system. Go to TEST HB: NATURAL GAS FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM , step 1)
(Natural Gas models), or go to TEST HC: GASOLINE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM , step 1) (all 
others) under SYSTEM TESTS in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - CNG, FLEX-FUEL & GASOLINE article.  

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Check EVAP emission system for leaks. See EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM TESTS in 
SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - GASOLINE article.  

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Sulfur content can vary in different fuels. Try a different fuel source.  

INTERMITTENTS 

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM DIAGNOSIS 

Intermittent fault testing requires duplicating circuit or component failure to identify the problem. These 

NOTE:

On vehicles with a NEW catalytic converter or vehicles with 5000-10,000 miles, 
sulfur smell may be normal due to the highly active state of catalytic converter. 
Replacing catalytic converter on these vehicles may worsen symptom.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Trouble Shooting - No Codes - CNG, Flex-Fuel & Gasoline