Hi, newbie here.

Just bought a used 2008 F250 Super Duty about 3 months ago. I have a strange problem that just decided to rear its ugly head.

Monday I took the truck down to get it hand washed, as I've done several times already. Later in the evening I took the truck down to the store, everything worked fine. I get back in the truck and turn on my headlights, but the headlights wouldn't come on. I tried the highbeams and they wouldn't come on either. The foglights, taillights and side marker lights however did come on. About 5 minutes later the headlights decided to come on. I then got home, turned the truck off and turned it back on, the lights wouldn't come on again, then a few minutes later they did. I tried them again and they worked fine.

I drove the truck all day yesterday and lastnight, lights and everything worked fine.

Today when I leave for work I checked the lights they worked as expected; however, about 5 minutes down the road the check engine light came on but didn't make a beep or noise. I pulled out my OBDC2 and no codes were present. Turned the truck off then on, check engine lights still on. Turned it off again this time for about 5 minutes, the check engine light went away.

Aside from what felt like a minor hiccup of power on the freeway lastnight the truck has been running solid. I suspect this is unrelated and more related to me having the AC on going up a grade in 85 deree heat, or is this wishful thinking?

Could water have gotten somewhere it shouldn't have and is causing a short or caused a short? Why would my check engine light come on without any codes then go away?

I can take it down to have it looked at but that's gonna cost and if everything is fine now what will they find anyway? I'm hoping one of you guys/gals can help me understand what might be happeneing and whether I should worry about taking the truck for a 400 mile getaway this weekend?

I should mention the truck is suspension lifted about 5 inches with large mud tires and a Clifford matrix alarm system. I also installed electric steps about 2 months ago.

Thanks!!!

 

Hi gloveside45 and welcome to FTE. Sorry that you're experiencing issues. Hopefully we can help you get them corrected.

Get the truck scanned with a better scanner. If you had a CEL there should be an error code.

As for cause, it could or could not be related to the truck getting washed. All we can say is that you experienced the symptoms after the truck was washed.

 

What motor is in the truck

 

6.4l turbo diesel powerstroke.

 

Ok, when i reran the obdc tester it pulled code p2002. The dpf was just cleaned last month??? Why is it throwing this code now?

 

What tool are you using for a code reader?
Some of the less $$ ones won't read all the
codes that the PCM can set in the Fords.

Sean

 

Actron CP9125 OBD2 Pocketscan.

 

I think you're going to find it will be ok for simple
things. But when I looked it up they did not cover
the manufacture specific codes and that may be the problem.
My Scanguage II I found won't read some codes or
clear all codes.
What I ended up doing is getting a used Snap-On Solus
and it covers all the stuff. More money that you may want
to spend. One thing to look into is some of the WiFi tools
that use your smart phone if you have one.

This is your scanner ?


Sean

 

Yes, thats my scanner. The light came back on today so I took it to my mechanic. They told me the DPF was clogged. So they ran the tool to clean it. They also told me that Ford has an emissions warranty and that if it clogs again to take it to them. The truck has 55k miles, I bought the truck with 47k. My mechanic thinks the previous owner didnt drive the truck enough ~10k/year. Anyone know if this sounds plausable? Also is the dpf under warranty?

 

I can't say on the warranty. That is something
you will have to look into.
But diesel trucks do like to be worked and
don't like to sit. In my case I have to the
turbo worked or it can get sticky/stuck.
I have also seen where people with the DPF
that it does need to be driven.

Sean

 

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure the vehicle emission control warranty for vehicles over 8000 GVRW is 50k miles.

I guess my question would be why isn't the DPF going into regen to clean the soot out?

 

OOPs
Redford is right and I really did not say that in my last post
but that was what I was getting at. Take the truck for long
drives. Let it get up to temp and then drive some more.

Sean

 

Check your battery connections and charging system.

My neighbors had a similar problem with their 2008 F250. It was later found that they had a loose battery connection.