Check Engine Light While Towing
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 383
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Check Engine Light While Towing
2001 F350 290,000 no mods other than 6637, 2WD
Towed our new to us RV home last, only 15 miles from the dealer and yes its a big 5th for my truck at 12,000lbs. Anyhow, about 2 mins from home as I'm pulling off the freeway I got a SES light come up, then it disappeared. I checked codes this morning using forscan and nothing shows to indicate what it may be.
I was wondering if the transmission is getting hot if it throws an SES? It was only a short trip, but I have no real idea of the condition of the trans as the truck is new to us too - fluid looks and smells good.
Only new code is an ABS one c1229, c1233, C1234. I had 2 of them before - think the 1229 is the new one.
Towed our new to us RV home last, only 15 miles from the dealer and yes its a big 5th for my truck at 12,000lbs. Anyhow, about 2 mins from home as I'm pulling off the freeway I got a SES light come up, then it disappeared. I checked codes this morning using forscan and nothing shows to indicate what it may be.
I was wondering if the transmission is getting hot if it throws an SES? It was only a short trip, but I have no real idea of the condition of the trans as the truck is new to us too - fluid looks and smells good.
Only new code is an ABS one c1229, c1233, C1234. I had 2 of them before - think the 1229 is the new one.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 2
From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
Hmmmm...no codes is a head scratcher, but then again, without AutoEnginuity Ford Enhancement, you're only seeing a handful of codes that are generic. It is possible the HPOP is wearing out and not throwing enough oil to your injectors when under heavy acceleration. But it's not wise to speculate without more data.
Something simple...how does your air filter look? It could have been your filter minder / sensor when sucking in a lot of air. Just a thought.
Something simple...how does your air filter look? It could have been your filter minder / sensor when sucking in a lot of air. Just a thought.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,353
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Our trucks are rated at 12.5K I believe for 5th wheel connections new from the factory. 17 years later, they might struggle a bit.
The weight is not a big deal for the truck as long as you have the hardware to back it up. I pull a ~12K lbs 5th wheel like a boss...
The weight is not a big deal for the truck as long as you have the hardware to back it up. I pull a ~12K lbs 5th wheel like a boss...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 979
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver
You might be right about transmission temperature. Does the truck still have the original tranny cooler? If so, it is totally inadequate for a heavy trailer. I suggest the 6.0 cooler, there are two sizes, both will bolt in with only minor hose adaptations from 3/8" to 1/2".
Larry
Larry
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,277
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From: Blairsville, Pennsylvania
I already had the 6.0 cooler installed a while back, but other than the physical swap and bolt on of the cooler, my recent thread shows the lines and adapters I used to adapt the 1/2" line of the cooler to the 3/8" line of the truck.
I definitely recommend adapting the lines outside of the radiator/cooler area (see the thread and pics)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tall-pics.html
Make sure if you buy used, it is well flushed before installing and DON'T use one from a truck with a failed transmission. Bad stuff can hang out in the cooler, just waiting to grenade a trans
I definitely recommend adapting the lines outside of the radiator/cooler area (see the thread and pics)
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tall-pics.html
Make sure if you buy used, it is well flushed before installing and DON'T use one from a truck with a failed transmission. Bad stuff can hang out in the cooler, just waiting to grenade a trans
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,730
Likes: 2,658
From: SE Florida
No, it will not set an SES. If the trans gets too hot it will flash the OD OFF light, but it cannot set the SES.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,500
Likes: 14
From: South Carolina
Are you confident there is no chip?
My chip causes a light when I tow with a non-tow setting.
My chip causes a light when I tow with a non-tow setting.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
(2) things can cause SES light to come on (and go off by itself) under those conditions.
ICP (above or below desired psi) and overboost.
Youll either need to monitor those parameters while driving or use a scan tool that will display stored codes (I'm not familiar with Forscan).
If there is a crappy tune in the truck - specifically stupidchips, bulldog, etc - then it will be the ICP code. Either get flashed back to stock or invest in a chip and good tunes (and gauges if ya go with the latter).
I pulled my 12.5k camper(s) up to 30k miles a year with my 7.3's. My Excursion started out 100% stock except for BTS trans and good tuning. The newer trucks certainly have more power, but the 'ole 7.3 will get ya there!!
The pic is my X and Toy Hauler while I was swapping in a van turbo at camp out in Oklahoma. (I used to get bored on the weekends working out of town...)
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
I think Jason hit it right on. I would of said boost. I've done this on a stock truck towing. You changed your filter to a open type so that even makes it easier to pull high boost numbers. Gauges are always a good idea.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2015
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Thanks for all the answers guys, took me a while to get back to this thread so apologies. I'm definitely looking into a 6.0 cooler especially as we're in Texas. We don't plan on moving around too much, but when we do it will likely be for an Ike style event and I don't want challenges with the truck. Think I'll go a flush and filter too just to be sure. Finished putting the electronic gauges together on android today on Torque pro, so i should only be missing EGT's and I don't plan on pushing it so hopefully that isn't a challenge.
I'll update if something obvious comes up - ICP has a little oil so it could be the culprit but I'm pulling 2800+ stock so think its still ok at this point.
I'll update if something obvious comes up - ICP has a little oil so it could be the culprit but I'm pulling 2800+ stock so think its still ok at this point.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Thanks for all the answers guys, took me a while to get back to this thread so apologies. I'm definitely looking into a 6.0 cooler especially as we're in Texas. We don't plan on moving around too much, but when we do it will likely be for an Ike style event and I don't want challenges with the truck. Think I'll go a flush and filter too just to be sure. Finished putting the electronic gauges together on android today on Torque pro, so i should only be missing EGT's and I don't plan on pushing it so hopefully that isn't a challenge.
I'll update if something obvious comes up - ICP has a little oil so it could be the culprit but I'm pulling 2800+ stock so think its still ok at this point.
I'll update if something obvious comes up - ICP has a little oil so it could be the culprit but I'm pulling 2800+ stock so think its still ok at this point.
And hopefully Mark K can chime in again and say if the PCM's temp monitoring for trans is adequate to prevent problems or if adding s sensor and monitoring this with a gauge is best. My advice is monitor trans temps and determine if you NEED to upgrade cooler. Chances are if you're running hot, something else is wrong...
Hpop health is determined by max ICP (2800 is great) AND IPR Duty Cycle during sustained WOT run. Ideally, IPR DC will never exceed about 40%.