Red Engine Light
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Red Engine Light
I have an 1989 f250 7.5L 460. I have 2 "engine lights" on my dash one is a orange "check engine" the other is a red "engine" light. the red stays illuminated. My question are:
1- what is the difference between the two
2- what is the red "engine" light telling me.
FYI I have good oil pressure
1- what is the difference between the two
2- what is the red "engine" light telling me.
FYI I have good oil pressure
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
do all trucks have these two seperate lights? or is there a year range of them? thanks
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Southern WV
Also, even if your coolant system "test" passed, that doesn't mean you aren't overheating.
New User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake, IL
Red Engine light
I hate to bump such an old thread, but it seems to be a good one. Last night I was out cruising after I cut my muffler off in my 1990 bricknose F-250, 5.0, 5 speed. The truck has had a motor swap done by the previous owner, and the orange check engine light has been on since I bought it. But all of a sudded the red "ENGINE" light came on so I pulled over and let it sit, while I checked the oil. Then when I started it back up it started running really bad like it was starved for fuel. Then after a few more times checking it all over, I drove it home and it ran fine. I'm not sure, but I don't think it was over heating, I have 2 electric fans wired up to a toggle swich and I kept them on the whole time. Has anyone here ran into a similar problem, and what is every possible trigger for the red check engine light? My friend with the exact same truck with a 351, also cut off his muffler and got the same red light, just like I did the same day. He thinks there's not enough back pressure, But I cut mine under the bed, so there's plenty of pipe. Any help is appreciated.
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,966
Likes: 595
From: Greater Austin, Texas
The red "engine" light only comes on for low OP or high water temp AFAIK. There is a little module on the back of the instrument cluster that monitors those 2 inputs and turns on the light as needed. It was deleted in the 1991 models but you can add the module from an earlier truck (I have) and it will work as intended.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
New User
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Crystal Lake, IL
I disconnected my battery, tapped the brakes to get all the power out of it, and let it sit an hour to clear out the "computer". After I started it back up the light didn't come back on. I have no working gauges at all, so if I can get the trans and motor mount fixed, Ill buy some gauges and keep an eye on the temp and oil pressure. I've only owned the truck for about a week, and first it starts running bad so I do a $80 tune up, then it brakes a motor mount so I order new ones, and now all of a sudden 1st and 3rd don't work on the M5OD...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,182
Likes: 15
From: Somewhere n North America
I'm quessing your bulb is out or loose in the socket..
Could be other things, but I would check the bulb.
Could be other things, but I would check the bulb.