Check Engine Light
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Newark, OH
Check Engine Light
Well my check engine light came on today when i was getting on the high way, when i gave it gas the truck started shaking and then it was fine, then the check engine light came on. before when the check engine light came on it was a bad spark plug, could this be the case again?, and are there any places that will check for free?
thanks
RL
thanks
RL
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 30
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From: Newark, OH
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Yes These engines perform much better on double platinum plugs and I have had bad luck with Bosch plugs with the center electrode falling into the engine and ruining the cylinder wall.
Trade them for the Motorcraft or Autolite double platinums and pay the difference. It will save you the hastle of having to keep changing plugs.
Trade them for the Motorcraft or Autolite double platinums and pay the difference. It will save you the hastle of having to keep changing plugs.
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Check engine light on: catalytic converters? No way...
March of 2004 I took my 1998 F150 to the Ford dealer after the check engine light was on for a couple weeks. Tried to scan for the problem myself, and it said inefficiency. The dealer said the left and right catalytic converters are bad and need to be replaced. They want to replace all four converters for $3,200. I was born in the morning, but not yesterday morning!! I don't buy that diagnosis, and paid my $75.00 fee and left. I've been driving for 20,000 miles since then and it is now Feb. 2005; the check engine light remains on, but there's no dark soot in the tailpipe, and another mechanic at a muffler shop also didn't think it was the catalytic converters since there is no rattling when he taps on any of the converters. They should be broken up by now. And more importantly, I have no loss of power. So what might this be? Truck runs great,and from time to time I do get the check engine light turned off by the AutoZone OBD2 diagnostic equipment. Help,, please...
Phil
Phil
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Phil,
You must be kidding if you believe we can just magically guess codes for you.
Seriously, of all the things under the hood that are connected to the engine harness, 8 plug wires or coil on plugs, alternators, O2 sensors, thermostat, ignitojn coil, MAF sensor.....don't cheap out. Since you're out of warranty, find a good shop to help you. Help your local economy.
You must be kidding if you believe we can just magically guess codes for you.
Seriously, of all the things under the hood that are connected to the engine harness, 8 plug wires or coil on plugs, alternators, O2 sensors, thermostat, ignitojn coil, MAF sensor.....don't cheap out. Since you're out of warranty, find a good shop to help you. Help your local economy.
Senior User
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From: Kabetogama, MN
Phil,
I have the same problem with one of my four catilitic converters making a CEL come on. Mine is the Second converter on the number 1 bank (passanger side), all this problem means is that the converter is not cleaning the polution out of the exaust as the government would like for clean air. This in turn makes the CEL come on which is annoying but does no harm to the truck. I had mine chacked by two garages and the Ford Dealership, all done this for me with the diognostic scaning tool for free and all said it is very expensive to replace the converters and told me to forget about it.
I have the same problem with one of my four catilitic converters making a CEL come on. Mine is the Second converter on the number 1 bank (passanger side), all this problem means is that the converter is not cleaning the polution out of the exaust as the government would like for clean air. This in turn makes the CEL come on which is annoying but does no harm to the truck. I had mine chacked by two garages and the Ford Dealership, all done this for me with the diognostic scaning tool for free and all said it is very expensive to replace the converters and told me to forget about it.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Kabetogama, MN
If the rear O2 sensors were bad and not registering correctly, could it be damaging or just not registering corectly with no damaged being done?
In addition to my previous message (Post #11)
Forgot to mention, after resetting the check engine light, the CEL will stay off for a couple of months before the same message of the converters allowing for too much polution come back.
In addition to my previous message (Post #11)
Forgot to mention, after resetting the check engine light, the CEL will stay off for a couple of months before the same message of the converters allowing for too much polution come back.
Last edited by Bliath; Feb 9, 2005 at 06:22 PM.
Senior User
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From: Kabetogama, MN
I forgot to include in my post #13, What sensors are in the Converters to detect the excesive polution levels that would illuminate a CEL, O2s or some other type? I think I know that there are O2s along the exaust line for a purpose I am not entirely sure of either. I guess I need some one to clear this up for me, if I did not make the Question(s) to confusing in my wording.
Last edited by Bliath; Feb 9, 2005 at 09:32 PM.
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Hello Alfred,
We're talking about me spending $3,200 on a misdiagnosis; and then me walking away with a truck that's still not fixed. I really don't mind helping the local economy as you say, and I do. I really enjoy donating to worthy causes with money to those that need it. And I thoroughly enjoy donating of my time to both my local church for property maintenance, and I donate heavily to our local library thousands of dollars real cash, and two hundred hours free labor to benefit the children of our local community. But I shouldn't be responsible for the entire economy if that's what you mean. Afterall, I believe there's better ways to benefit the local economy rather then wasting my money and not getting proper service to, of all places, a car dealership, the yahoos that work there specifically, and the fatman that owns it.
We're talking about me spending $3,200 on a misdiagnosis; and then me walking away with a truck that's still not fixed. I really don't mind helping the local economy as you say, and I do. I really enjoy donating to worthy causes with money to those that need it. And I thoroughly enjoy donating of my time to both my local church for property maintenance, and I donate heavily to our local library thousands of dollars real cash, and two hundred hours free labor to benefit the children of our local community. But I shouldn't be responsible for the entire economy if that's what you mean. Afterall, I believe there's better ways to benefit the local economy rather then wasting my money and not getting proper service to, of all places, a car dealership, the yahoos that work there specifically, and the fatman that owns it.
Last edited by PhilcoPGM; Feb 9, 2005 at 10:11 PM.
