Newbie Here...Check Engine Light

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Oct 31, 2003 | 01:39 PM

V10Grin

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 29

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Newbie Here...Check Engine Light

Hi all, Ive been reading your post for a while and now have a question of my own.
I have a 99 F250 SD with 40K miles on it and just lately my Check Engine light is on. I have replaced the O2 sensors and its still on...Is there any other "simple" things I can do myself? I am not a mechanic, but know my way around a hammer pretty well LOL.

Thanks for any help,

Vinny

Oct 31, 2003 | 01:44 PM

stepman

Posting Guru

Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 1,428

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From: peoria, az

Swing it by the parts store ( like autozone) and have them pull your codes. That should be a place to start. Otherwise you'll be guessing forever.

Oct 31, 2003 | 02:07 PM

V10Grin

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 29

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Thanks Stepman, didn't know they did that!

Nov 10, 2003 | 04:45 PM

ddewerd

New User

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

This may sound too easy, but it worked for me (plus this is about as simple as it gets)

I had a similar problem with my 97 E350, which I solved by disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes. It had something to do with resetting the chip. The first time you start it up after reconnecting, let it idle for about 10 minutes (apparently does something to "relearn" fuel mixes or something like that). It's happened twice to me, and both times this fixed it (plus I took it to my mechanic, who actually recommended it).

Thanks,
Doug

Nov 10, 2003 | 06:30 PM

jcrice

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 161

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally posted by ddewerd
I had a similar problem with my 97 E350, which I solved by disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes. It had something to do with resetting the chip. The first time you start it up after reconnecting, let it idle for about 10 minutes (apparently does something to "relearn" fuel mixes or something like that). It's happened twice to me, and both times this fixed it (plus I took it to my mechanic, who actually recommended it).

You've got an intermittant problem. With OBDII, a problem will set the code and the "check engine" light will stay on even after the problem goes away. When you disconnect the battery, you are resetting the PCM which will cause the code to go away until the problem resurfaces. If you clear the code by resetting the PCM and not fixing the problem, it will most likely come back later. The best thing to do is to find out what the code is at one of the parts houses and see if it is something that really needs to be fixed.

Remember that just because the reader at Oreilly Zone says that it's an O2 sensor doesn't necessarily make it so. It's just a starting point (although they're usually correct).

Nov 11, 2003 | 10:39 AM

ddewerd

New User

Joined: May 2000

Posts: 10

Likes: 0

This has happened to me twice. The first time I ran out of gas (gas gauge read 1/4 tank and is notoriously inaccurate - but that's another story). The second time I had some bad gas, and I was trying to pass another car on the freeway. I stomped down on the gas, and when I pulled out I expected the tranny to downshift, but it didn't, and it really bogged down. Since then, I've had no other problems (and I have had my mechanic check it out). I stay away from that particular gas station (I filled up there several times, and each time I noticed a real lack of power going up even the smallest of hills - the engine knocked and sputtered). I put in some gas line treatment and haven't had the problem since.

FWIW, my E350 has 138K miles and I tow an 8000 lb travel trailer with no problems, other than terrible gas mileage when towing ;-). I get about 13-14 mpg empty, and about 7-8 towing.

Thanks,
Doug

Nov 11, 2003 | 02:15 PM

krewat

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 42,561

Likes: 421

From: Long Island USA

Quote:

Originally posted by ddewerd
This may sound too easy, but it worked for me (plus this is about as simple as it gets)

I had a similar problem with my 97 E350, which I solved by disconnecting the battery for about 10 minutes. It had something to do with resetting the chip. The first time you start it up after reconnecting, let it idle for about 10 minutes (apparently does something to "relearn" fuel mixes or something like that). It's happened twice to me, and both times this fixed it (plus I took it to my mechanic, who actually recommended it).

This is the quick-and-dirty way to fix a software bug. Kinda like Windows(tm)

I've actually had the climate control in my '96 t-bird register below-zero temps after solar flares (like the recent big ones). Anything electronic is susceptable. Reset it just for the heck of it.

ak

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Nov 11, 2003 | 08:48 PM

jcrice

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 161

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally posted by ddewerd
This has happened to me twice. The first time I ran out of gas (gas gauge read 1/4 tank and is notoriously inaccurate - but that's another story). The second time I had some bad gas, and I was trying to pass another car on the freeway. I stomped down on the gas, and when I pulled out I expected the tranny to downshift, but it didn't, and it really bogged down. Since then, I've had no other problems (and I have had my mechanic check it out). I stay away from that particular gas station (I filled up there several times, and each time I noticed a real lack of power going up even the smallest of hills - the engine knocked and sputtered). I put in some gas line treatment and haven't had the problem since.

FWIW, my E350 has 138K miles and I tow an 8000 lb travel trailer with no problems, other than terrible gas mileage when towing ;-). I get about 13-14 mpg empty, and about 7-8 towing.

Thanks,
Doug

Then your problem(s) were diagnosed and corrected. My point was that you should make an effort to find out what the problem was before resetting the PCM. You know what yours was. I sure am glad to hear about all these high mileage V10s on the road. Mine must just be a baby at 72K, but I'm rebuilding the top end anyway. That's another story - me and my mental sickness that requires me to make everything faster than it needs to be.