Two problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 1997 Ford E-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I experienced the same symptoms described in the camshaft position sensor recall which affects e-series vans. On 05nov07 my engine light came on and my engine began to hesitate, as if it would stall. I took the van to the Ford dealer on 06nov07. They said they could not find anything wrong. They reset the codes and the engine light went off. On 09nov07 the engine light came on again and the engine began to run sluggishly. I did not drive the van over the weekend because I was afraid it would stall while I was driving. On 12nov07 the dealer replaced the dpfe sensor at a cost to me of $364. 04. I contacted Ford corporation on 06dec07 requesting reimbursement for the repair. My request was denied. Failure of dpfe sensor has the same results and the same safety implications as the failure of the camshaft position sensor. Ford should include this failure in the recall as well, or someone will be hurt eventually.
I dropped a rod today in my 1997 Ford-f150 with 77,000 miles. Check engine light seems to come on every 1000 miles. Highly unlikely that I would never purchase another Ford product. Maybe 1997 model was a problem with Ford acknowledging problem.