'02 Windstar chugging on accel - no CEL (yet) - Where to start

[canflyboy]

'02 Windstar with 145,000km on it started with a misfire #3 code , replaced the #3 wire and code went away, but was still slightly chugging on acceleration. Had a P1401 code, change DPFE - no changes in running, but code has not re-appeared after driving over 200km. Plugs were changed when I replace #3 ignition wire.

Symptoms:

Stutters/chugging under acceleration and load.
Backfire or pinging sounds coming from engine at times
Have ran over 200kms and no codes.

Where do I go next? Will the CEL eventually come on exposing the reason for the chugging?

Seems like a misfire, either fuel or electrical, but wouldn't that show up as a code?

Thanks

Canflyboy

[canflyboy]

Problem Solved

After about 200 miles, the CEL finally came on a threw a code - P0303 - misfire#3. I already changed the plugs and the #3 ignition wire, so all that was basically left was either the coil or the fuel injector. I changed the coil and all the ignition wires and engine now runs very smooth.

Canflyboy