2016 F-150 shut off at a red light and won’t stay running… what’s wrong?

Seeking Help
1

I drive a 2016 F-150 Work Truck with a 5.0. Yesterday, while sitting at a red light, it shook a little and then the engine shut off. I had it towed back to my shop and tested the battery and alternator—both are good. I also jumped the starter relay, and the starter fired up fine, so I don’t think it’s that.

At the time this happened, I got a ‘Service AdvanceTrac’ alert, a ‘Hill Start Assist Not Available’ message, and then the wrench icon, ‘Service Brake System’ warning, and the battery light all came on the dash.

I was able to get the truck to start by turning the key on and jumping the starter, and it ran fine in park. But as soon as I put it in gear, it died again. If I jump the starter again and get it running, it’ll move, but it shifts super hard—feels like I’m getting rear-ended—and has barely any power. I had to rev it up to 2,500 RPMs just to get it to creep forward.

Obviously, I’m not driving it like this, but what do you all think could be wrong? What parts am I looking at replacing?

2

Sounds like the torque converter might be the issue. If it’s locked up or stuck, it’ll keep the engine connected to the transmission and cause it to stall out.

3

Jonathan said:
Sounds like the torque converter might be the issue. If it’s locked up or stuck, it’ll keep the engine connected to the transmission and cause it to stall out.

The truck starts fine if I turn the key to ‘on’ and jump the starter relay, and it runs normally in park. If the torque converter was stuck, wouldn’t it not move at all? Mine still moves, just with more RPMs needed.

4

@Alexander
Depends. I had an Escape with a bad torque converter—it would start, but as soon as I put it in gear, it would buck like crazy, try to stall, and the ECU would raise the idle to compensate.

5

Jonathan said:
@Alexander
Depends. I had an Escape with a bad torque converter—it would start, but as soon as I put it in gear, it would buck like crazy, try to stall, and the ECU would raise the idle to compensate.

Would that also cause the idle to drop? Mine drops, and if I don’t keep my foot on the gas, it dies.

A buddy of mine had a Chevy that did this at a red light, and we just replaced the TPS sensor, and it was fine. I tried looking up a TPS for this truck, but I couldn’t find one—does the F-150 even have one?

6

@Alexander
Yeah, the TPS is built into the throttle body.

7

Jonathan said:
Sounds like the torque converter might be the issue. If it’s locked up or stuck, it’ll keep the engine connected to the transmission and cause it to stall out.

Do these trucks have a Throttle Position Sensor like Chevys do? I’m more familiar with Chevys, but this is my work truck, so I don’t know much about Fords.

8

@Alexander
Yeah, but the TPS is part of the throttle body. If that’s the issue, an OBD scan should pick it up.

9

Jonathan said:
@Alexander
Yeah, but the TPS is part of the throttle body. If that’s the issue, an OBD scan should pick it up.

I don’t have a scanner… guess I’m about to go buy one.

10

Jonathan said:
@Alexander
Yeah, but the TPS is part of the throttle body. If that’s the issue, an OBD scan should pick it up.

How do I post pictures? I just scanned it and got some codes.

11

@Alexander
Just type the codes here—something like Pxxxx. You can also Google them to see what they mean.

12

Jonathan said:
@Alexander
Just type the codes here—something like Pxxxx. You can also Google them to see what they mean.

Here’s my post with the pics: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ford/s/8G9F4S4PEb

13

@Alexander
That link has all the pics and codes I got.

14

Jonathan said:
Sounds like the torque converter might be the issue. If it’s locked up or stuck, it’ll keep the engine connected to the transmission and cause it to stall out.

I was thinking the same thing. Had a similar issue with an older model truck.