Many people try to find the DPFE sensor on their Ford F150 trucks for its replacement. It happens when its valve flow lines undergo damage that requires repair and maintenance.
Where is the DPFE Sensor Located on a Ford F150? DPFE sensor is located on a Ford F150 on the left of the brake booster and opposite the firewall. It is on the EGR bottom in the 2000 to 2002 models, on the left side of the brake booster for 2004 to 2010 variants, between the firewall and engine for the 2011 to 2017 models, and near the EGR valve in 2018 and 2019. While 2020 to 2023 F150 models lack it because of VVT solenoid.
The DPFE sensor is small, and I replaced it in my truck with professional help because of its mounting position and type of damage.
What is the location of the DPFE sensor on a Ford F150?
The Ford F150 variants have different engine types, which vary according to size and capacity. However, all the models with the 4.6-liter engine but the advanced variants comprise this sensor.
DPFE stands for Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic sensor that works with the exhaust system of the pickup truck. It is an essential component of the exhaust gas reticulation system and monitors the internal pressure.
The sensor sends the gas pressure and relevant information to the truck’s computer system. Then, the powertrain control module (PCM) controls and maintains the pressure inside the exhaust system of the Ford F150.
In such circumstances, you can check and monitor the gas flow inside the exhaust system. The sensor maintains the gas flow level and informs the PCM about the pressure.
The EGR has a specific valve that can regulate the emission gases and stabilize the engine performance of your pickup truck.
Generally, you can identify the Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic sensor on the left corner of the brake booster.
It is on the opposite side of the truck firewall because of the stock installation and specific mounting position.
Moreover, the sensor has dual tubes that connect to the valve of the exhaust reticulation system and the flow line of gases.
The tubes connect with the DPFE sensor directly, and it can monitor the gas flow. You can find it on the firewall’s upper side, which makes identification challenging.
However, you can open the hood compartment of your Ford F150 and find the black box with a zip-like locking. Furthermore, the DPFE sensor has dual hoses and a connecting pipe for gas regulation.
A pipe of about 0.5 inches attaches to the exhaust pipe and moves toward the engine beneath the built-in coil pack.
In such circumstances, you can find it on the driving side of the pickup truck inside the engine compartment. You can identify the sensor inside the intake manifold of the Ford F150.
As a result, it can identify, regulate, and monitor the gas flow inside the exhaust gas reticulation system and within the engine. You can read the truck manual and find its location on your variant within a few minutes.
You can find the DPFE sensor near the exhaust reticulation system valve on the 1997 model. It is a black cylindrical shape solenoid that connects and fixes through a specific bolt.
Furthermore, it attaches to the intake manifold of the truck with the bolt, and you can find it easily. You can identify it on the center back side of the engine on the 1998 model because of the standard layout.
Finding the DPFE sensor on the 1999 model is less challenging because it is on the rear side of the dual intake flow passages. In addition, you can identify it near the pair of hoses that connect with the flow lines of the exhaust gases.
You can find it on the bottom of the exhaust gas reticulation system on the 2000 to 2002 models. The 2003 Ford F150 has a 5.4-liter configuration because of its specific characteristics. Such variants do not comprise the valve of the exhaust gas reticulation system.
Furthermore, it has a variable valve timing system and a solenoid to regulate the exhaust gases. You can identify the EGR sensor and valve on the variants with 4.6-liter engines.
You can find it on the left corner of the built-in brake booster of your pickup truck on 2004 to 2010 variants. It has a mounting position on the opposite side of the firewall, and you can identify it near the valve of the exhaust reticulation system.
Its identification is less time-consuming because it is between the firewall and built-in engine on the 2011 to 2017 models.
However, the position varies according to the engine complexity and exhaust design. You can find the DPFE sensor near the valve of the EGR system on the 2018 and 2019 models.
Its identification is less challenging on the 2020 Ford F150, and you can find it on the rear of the intake manifold.
However, the intake manifold fits on the upper side of the engine system of your truck. You can identify it between the truck firewall and the electrically functioning motor.
The 2021 to 2023 Ford F150 has 3.5-liter and 6.2-liter high-performance V6 and V8 engines. These variants have a variable valve-timing solenoid that controls the exhaust gases of the EGR system.
Factors that affect the location of DPFE sensor on a Ford F150
Several factors can affect the mounting position of the DPFE sensor on a Ford F150. In addition, I have explained the three things that affect its location.
Model of the truck
The mounting position of the Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic sensor varies according to the models of Ford F150. However, it mounts inside the truck hood and near the engine compartment for optimized performance.
You can find it near the exhaust gas reticulation system and the valve. Identifying it behind the intake manifold is less challenging because it connects with the exhaust system.
A few Ford F150 models have it nearest to the exhaust valve. Others have it behind the hoses and near the flow lines of exhaust gases.
Reading the truck manual is necessary to identify its correct position in the pickup truck hood.
Design of the exhaust system
The Ford F150 has a specific exhaust system with an intake manifold. Furthermore, it has gas flow lines and different sensors.
A few advanced variants have solenoids that can control the emissions of gases. The exhaust system has a specific design in these pickup trucks, which varies according to the upgraded layouts.
A few models have technically updated intake manifolds. Others have hoses and exhaust tubes that connect the EGR, valve, and engine.
As a result, the exhaust system works with the truck engine, and the gas flow stabilizes. The intake manifold can check and monitor the gas flow through the emission tailpipes.
Therefore, the DPFE sensor location slightly varies from one spot to another in the exhaust reticulation system.
Upgrades and design advancement
The upgraded and advanced designs of the Ford F150 have different locations for the Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic sensors.
The models with 4.6-liter engines have them on the rear side of the EGR valve. They are near the brake booster because of the specifications and truck layout.
Moreover, the upgraded and versatile exhaust system affects the mounting position of the DPFE sensor on your pickup truck.
You can find it near the firewall of the intake manifold and exhaust gas reticulation system. Its position changes because of the internal modifications of EGR and its valve.
What was the first Ford F150 model with a DPFE sensor?
The 1997 Ford F150 was the first model with a built-in Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic sensor inside the hood compartment. The older models with 4.6-liter engines comprise it because of the specifications of the frame and engine.
You cannot find the DPFE sensor on the 1995 or 1997 models because of the less upgraded layouts. Their engines and exhaust systems have low advancement and lack the sensor.
You can find the aftermarket options of these sensors for the 1997 variants because they have specific compatibilities.
You can find them on the models from 1997 onwards because they have 4.6-liter engines and upgraded exhaust reticulation systems.
The latest models have variable valve timing solenoids because of the upgraded V8 and V6 engines.
Why you should know the location of the DPFE sensor on a Ford F150?
You should know the mounting location of your DPFE sensor on the Ford F150 to check its damages. Identifying its position is necessary because it undergoes failures and the wiring harness breaks.
You can troubleshoot it through a multimeter while knowing its position inside the truck engine. Checking its performance and consistency becomes less challenging when you know its place.
You can replace the broken and malfunctioning DPFE sensor when you know its mounting position in the exhaust system. Its replacement takes about 20 to 30 minutes when you find it immediately inside the EGR system.
You should know its mounting location to troubleshoot and remove the code within a few minutes.
It is less challenging to replace the tubes and valves of the EGR system when you know the mounting position of the DPFE sensor in a Ford F150 truck.
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