1997 F 150

1997 F 150 questions and answers

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Q: How do I change a computer in a 1997 F-150?
I have a 1997 f-150 with a 4.2 v6. I just put a new motor in and I have a bad drive curcuit for an injector. I need to change the computer. Where is it located and how hard is it to change?

A: Remove the battery. Disconnect the main harness to the PCM on the far right (passenger) side of the engine compartment, secured by one 10mm bolt. Access under the glovebox, and look up, and to the right, and you'll see the two 8mm bolts that secure the PCM mounting bracket. Remove those two bolts, and remove the PCM. Installation is reverse of removal. Hope this helps.

Q: How do I install pilot brand strobe lights on my 1997 F-150 headlights?
Inalready have the headlights off! I will pay you if I have to!!!

A: You have to either disassemble the headlight or carefully drill a hole to fit the strobe then you'll need to waterproof seal them to prevent water from getting in

Q: How do i install off-road lights on my 1997 F-150?
I bought 2 off-road lamps for my f-150. i can't figure out a good way to attach them. any ideas?

A: either a roll bar, a bumper bar that sticks out in front of the truck, a grill guard if you have one, on the bumper itself if it doesnt look too bad, or do like i did and mount them behind the grill on the underside of the radiator support. this might be harder to do on a newer truck than it was on mine.

Q: I'd like some ideas from 1997 F-150 owners who have mounted a CB radio?
I have my radio fixed to a plastic base with a speaker, and it sits on the hump over the tranny. I'm toying with the idea of mounting it overhead but have not decided how I want to do it. Are there after market headliners for such a set up? F.Y.I. My rig has a cloth and carpet interior, automatic, 60/40 seats, split rear window, and still in great shape for a work/camping/primary vehicle with 130,000 miles on it.

A: http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/idx/0/178/article/CB_Radio_Install_On_Older_F150s.html

Q: does tailgate on 1997 f 150 ford pop off or do you have to remove bolts?
Thanks for the answer! Just tried it and it worked! Thanks again, Tom

A: yeah...always better to pull out...;0)....

Q: how do you change dashboard lights to a Ford F-150 1997 truck? Do i need to take off the whole dashboard?
Do i need to take off half/ the whole dashboard to just change a light bulb? some of the lights are out but some of them are on i know its not a fuse. i just need to know if i need to take off the whole dashboard or if theres an easier way to get to it.

A: Actually there is one piece you need to remove before you can take out the cluster. You need to take of the piece around the cluster under the lip of the dashboard around the cluster. To remove the cover around the cluster there are 3 screws above the cluster and there is a screw behind the vent duct by the drivers door. The vent duct pops out easily, just get a flat tip screwdriver to pop it out. Once the screws are out you should be able to pull the cluster out enough to replace the burned out bulb. Hope this helps, good luck.

Q: How much does a cam phaser for a 1997 F-150 cost, and how much does it cost to have it replaced? In AZ.?


A: 1997 doesn't have cam phasers that is an 05 and up thing, they run two chains and if you are getting noise from the front of the motor it is the chain tensioners and it is about a 7 hour job and $300 in parts

Q: PROBLEMS WITH 1997 F-150! help!!!!!!!!?
I have a 1997 Ford F-150 with power door locks that only lock but do NOT unlock. What's the cause and how do I fix it?

A: If I were to guess. I would say it's the power door lock switch. Not a big deal at all.

Q: i have a 1997 f-150. this truck has a 4.2l v6 engine. is there a v8 engine i can use without changing the tran
i would like to replace my v6 engine with a v8 iwould like to do it without having to change the transmission. can i- 1997 f-150 4.2l v6 everything is stock from the factory-nothing changed

A: if you go with the v8 you will need the computers and wireing to match it as well as all the sensors and you may neeb the v8 exhaust system and o2 sensors also

Q: 1997 F-150 v6 motor help me out!!!!?
ok my friend has a 1997 F-150 with a V6, i need to know what other Fords have the same motor as the V6 in this F-150

A: 1984 Ford f-150

Q: should i buy a 1997 f-150 Lariat with 223,000 miles for $1500.00 for a winter truck?
what do you know about the 4.8L engines? Do you think it will hold up this winter?

A: if it is not smoking, and the oil pressure is good.. it should still run fine for 30,000- 60,000 more miles.. after that the motor should be about done.. i think $1200 would be a good price unless the truck is in perfect condition...big tires and other extras would up the price

Q: what is the best way to remove nut holding harmonic balancer on 1997 F-150 4.2L?


A: The best way is with an impact wrench. If you don't have air, or access to it, then your options are limited. If it is a manual transmission, place the transmission in gear, set the parking brake, and block the wheels. Then use a socket and flex-bar. If it is an automatic, about all you can do is improvise a strap-wrench with a pry-bar and old serpentine belt, and use this arrangement to back up the wrench on the bolt. Be very careful here so that damage is not done to the sensor(s) and the teeth on the front of the engine. Good Luck

Q: bad heater core In 1997 F-150?
I have a 1997 ford f-150, and Its winter here in wisconsin, and its damn cold. But I think my heater core is bad because it takes about a half and hour of streight driving before heat will come out of the panle vents, otherwise its all cold air like its amazing air conditioning, but i dont want a/c its cold enough outside. and then once I get heat to start coming though the panel I will turn on the defrosters, or the floor vents and all the comes out of them is freezing cold air all the time, no warm air ever comes out of them. And my windows are always fogged up and frosted over, I can never get them to stay unfogged, and its pretty bad when not only do I have to scrape windows on the outside, but I also have to scrape windows on the inside. But I know my thermostat is good because the truck temprature warms up right away. but I dont know if the heater core for sure is bad or if it could be something else?? I did a coolant flush in like october I think it was, and I put 50/50 prestone in it, and the antifreeze that I flushed out was terrible, it was so brown it was almost black

A: Almost every 150 from that year will have a leaky or sticky blend door. Just feel the heater hoses under the hood as soon as the engine is warm. If the core is clogged one hose will be fairly cool. If they're both almost too hot to touch the core is fine. If the core is clogged, the best and easiest thing to try first is to take off the hoses and blow it out with a garden hose.

Q: 1997 f-150,4speed,1\2 ton,390eng,fuel injection what are the most common problems with this model of truck?
a might buy the truck,looking for the most common problems with this truck,like the fuel injection,4wheel drive,and the motor,etc,etc, what do i need to look for before i purchase this truck?

A: well for one there isnt a 390 in an f-150 and they have 5 speeds not 4 speeds

Q: Does anyone know what type of oil to use when changing the engine oil in a Ford F-150 1997 XL. Manual lost.?


A: (bonus answer, to corroborate a previous answerer) To add to Fordgirls excellent & correct answer: I would like to also give you a link to download (free courtesy of Ford) your "lost" owners manual. Click the link below to download. http://www.motorcraftservice.com/pubs/content/~WOVF12/~MUS~LEN/36/97f12og1e.pdf This is in pdf format so it can be easily saved to your computer for future reference. VOILA! (instant manual) The page about the oil recommendation is page 160: ********COPY of page 160********* ENGINE OIL Oil specifications Use WSS-M2C153–F motor oil CERTIFIED FOR GASOLINE ENGINES by the American Petroleum Institute. Engine oils with an SAE 5W-30 viscosity and displaying the American Petroleum Institute certification mark are preferred for your vehicle. They provide the best engine performance, fuel economy and engine protection for all climates down to –25°C (-15°F). Do not use: ² “non-detergent” oils ² oils labeled API SA, SB, SC, SD, SE, SF or SG ² additional engine oil additives, oil treatments or engine treatments Additional engine oil additives, oil treatments, or engine treatments are never needed and could, under certain conditions, lead to engine damage which is not covered by your Ford warranty. Synthetic engine oils which are CERTIFIED and of the preferred viscosity may be used in your engine. The engine oil and oil filter must still be changed according to the “Service Guide.” *********end COPY********