P0299 is a diagnostic test code that indicates a problem with your Ford F150. A code like this will concern you about the functionality of your vehicle, and most importantly your safety. However, with this code, you shouldn’t panic as it indicates that your turbo or supercharger has a low output.
This article informs you about all the meaning of the P0299 Ford F150 code, what causes it, and the symptoms you will notice. After understanding what this code means, we will move on to how you can properly diagnose and fix this issue yourself.
P0299 Code in Ford F150
The F150 vehicle is known for its high performance under several conditions, which means that any malfunction can affect its performance. As we said earlier, this code tells you that your turbocharger or supercharger is not working as it ought to.
A turbocharger works by using the gases released by the exhaust system to turn a turbine that is connected to your car’s compressor. The air provided by the turbine is compressed in the compressor to add more oxygen to it. Air that has more oxygen boosts your car’s performance because there will be an increased rate of combustion in the combustion chamber.
With a supercharger or turbocharger installed, your car’s ECU looks tries to detect a boost, but when a boost is not sent, the ECU sends this code to your vehicle. It is important to know that the “P” in this code indicates an underlying issue within your car’s powertrain.
Causes of P0299 in Ford F150
With a faulty supercharger or turbocharger being the cause of this code, other issues can also be related to this code.
Low oil pressure in the engine
Oil pressure is an important part of the lubrication system and when this pressure is low, the oil will be unable to reach the components that should be lubricated. This problem can be a result of high viscosity, engine wear, a clogged filter, or a malfunctioning oil pressure gauge.
Faulty EGR system
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system works by taking a small portion of the exhaust gas back to the combustion center, this process helps to reduce the level of nitrogen pollutants contained in these gases. While this process makes emissions safer, it also boosts fuel efficiency and enhances your car's performance.
With the EGR system faulty, you may experience a build-up of soot which affects the way your car’s turbocharger or supercharger works.
Air Intake leak
The air intake of your car is responsible for supplying the combustion with the air required for combustion. When this important component starts to leak, your supercharger or turbocharger will not get the air it needs to turn the turbines and do its job. This can put your turbo through a lot of work which can cause wear. In severe cases, this can lead to engine damage.
Malfunctioning boost pressure sensor
The boost pressure sensor works by sending accurate readings to your car’s engine control modules (ECM). When this sensor provides higher or lower readings than usual, it affects the functioning of your supercharger.
When the boost pressure sensor is faulty and gives a high reading, this causes your supercharger to provide more boost than is necessary and this is the wearing of this component as well as others.
Symptoms of P0299 Code
To be fully aware that there is a problem with your supercharger, you will not only see this diagnostic code, but you will experience some unusual behaviors from your car as well. Some of these behaviors include:
Check engine light is triggered
The check engine light is a general indication of a malfunction in your car, and an issue with your supercharger is no exception. The check engine light sits on your dashboard and it is illuminated by an orange or amber light. This indication alone is not enough to properly diagnose this problem, you have to watch out for other symptoms as well.
Poor car acceleration
With your supercharger functioning alright, there was an increased power and acceleration while driving and this gave you a good experience. However, with the supercharger down, a noticeable decrease in car performance can be observed.
Increased exhaust
If an EGR malfunction is the reason why your supercharger is down, you will notice an increase in the number of exhaust gases and this is because these gases have not been recycled for significant purification. These gases when released into the atmosphere cause pollution by releasing nitrogen oxides.
Engine misfires
Your car can suddenly lose power while driving, and this is not great for your safety. The temporary loss of power is due to your fuel getting used up easily leaving you with little to move on. Damage to fuel components due to wear can also lead to this problem.
Poor fuel economy
With your supercharger malfunctioning, your vehicle will consume more fuel than it usually does. This is because your supercharger provides a boost for your car and when it becomes faulty, it causes other components to do more work powering and moving your car and this takes a lot of fuel to achieve.
Unusual mechanical noise
Superchargers are known to improve your car’s sound especially when you rev your engine. However, when it becomes faulty, it does the opposite. It starts to make strange noises and sometimes you may hear a dull whine from your engine.
Ford F150 P0299 code diagnosis
The symptoms of this code can be similar to a different car problem. Diagnosing the P0299 Ford F150 code helps you identify the problem and potential causes which in turn helps you find a suitable solution. The most common way to diagnose this code is by using an OBD scanner.
- Connect your OBD scanner to the connector beneath your dashboard
- Check for any code present and the freeze frame data should provide insight into your car’s condition before the code was sent
- Clear the code and take your car out on a test drive
- Conduct a visual inspection by analyzing the systems associated with the problem. You should inspect your intake system, supercharger, exhaust system, and EGR system. Check for leaks and physical damages.
- Inspect the boost pressure sensor and ensure that it functions just right
How to fix the P0299 code for Ford F150
The repair technique you take for this problem depends on the cause. As we have discussed earlier, this code can be triggered by various factors. Determining the cause of this code is key to fixing the problem. Here are some fixes you can carry out when you receive this code.
- Replace your supercharger
- Inspect and make necessary repairs to your intake system
- Replace your car’s EGR system
- Check and replace the boost pressure sensor
- Fix issues relating to low oil pressure
Conclusion
The P0299 Ford F150 code indicates that there is a problem with your car’s turbo/supercharger. This article has shown you that this malfunction can be caused by a fault in systems or components related to the supercharger. Some of these systems include the exhaust system, intake system, and EGR system.
Diagnosing the problem is important to identifying any underlying serious issue or preventing any serious damage from happening. This guide provides the necessary steps for this diagnosis. After getting familiar with the cause of this problem, you should be able to identify how to fix it with our recommended solutions.
