"Service Engine Soon" on, but No Code Registers
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"Service Engine Soon" on, but No Code Registers
Hello,
I'm new here and hope this is the right place for this question.
I recently bought a 2002 Explorer XLT with the 4.6L V-8, 40,000 miles. The "service engine soon" light come on and I had to replace the CAM sensor, after the mechanic did a scan and diagnosed that.
A few days later the light came on again but I drove anyway. Then the radiator had a leak and had to be replaced. Afterwards, I drove it away and everything seemed fine. But the next time I started it the "service engine soon" light came on again.
I took it back to the mechanic and he hooked it up to his computer and did some scans, but no code showed up. He called it a "ghost code" and said he couldn't really do anything since there is no code, and recommended that I just drive it anyway. He said maybe I should take it to a dealer to see if they can find anything, but that will probably be expensive, I guess.
What do I do? Any advice would be appreciated. The car seems to run great. Should I keep driving? Should I be worried about the light? Why the hell is there no code?
Thanks in Advance!!
I'm new here and hope this is the right place for this question.
I recently bought a 2002 Explorer XLT with the 4.6L V-8, 40,000 miles. The "service engine soon" light come on and I had to replace the CAM sensor, after the mechanic did a scan and diagnosed that.
A few days later the light came on again but I drove anyway. Then the radiator had a leak and had to be replaced. Afterwards, I drove it away and everything seemed fine. But the next time I started it the "service engine soon" light came on again.
I took it back to the mechanic and he hooked it up to his computer and did some scans, but no code showed up. He called it a "ghost code" and said he couldn't really do anything since there is no code, and recommended that I just drive it anyway. He said maybe I should take it to a dealer to see if they can find anything, but that will probably be expensive, I guess.
What do I do? Any advice would be appreciated. The car seems to run great. Should I keep driving? Should I be worried about the light? Why the hell is there no code?
Thanks in Advance!!
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Thanks, everyone. I was kind of afraid that this would mean taking it to the dealer and having to pay even more. The light is still on but the truck runs fine.
A friend told me you can go to Advanced Auto Parts and they will let you borrow a diagnostic computer and hook it up and see if it says anything. I might try that first.
A friend told me you can go to Advanced Auto Parts and they will let you borrow a diagnostic computer and hook it up and see if it says anything. I might try that first.
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Joined: May 2004
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take it to autozone, and have them try to read it, or just get your own analyzer like I did. =) If they can't find a code, then have them clear the DTC's and see if it comes back. It's likely nothing if you aren't noticing any change in engine performance. It should at least throw out the generic code, P0001 (or something like that). I would just clear the DTC's and see if it returns before I took it to the dealer.
Good luck, Nick
Good luck, Nick
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Central Ohio
Some scanners can't read proprietary codes (codes with the thousands digit not zero). For instance, my scanner will read proprietary codes on GM/Ford/Chrysler but won't see most codes my daughter's VW throws.
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Check out TSB 17009 of August 1, 2003 - "MIL With No Hard Fault". It specifies certain engines but actually applies to all. My experience with my truck (happened one time) and some of my friends trucks is that the light comes on at start-up only - not after start-up, not while running, etc..
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Thanks, everyone, for the advice.
I ended up bringing it in to a dealer and they replaced something connected to the CAM sensor. I drove it home and the light came on again. They told me the mechanic must have forgotten to restart the computer so I brought it back in again. After a few hours they gave it back to me and everything was fine in the parking lot. But when I got in on the highway, stopped, and restarted it, the damn light came back on.
I brought it right back to the dealer and now they're saying it could be a crankshaft sensor or need a new battery. They seem pretty frustrated. Anyway, I'm supposed to pick it up today with a new battery and I'll see what happens.
I ended up bringing it in to a dealer and they replaced something connected to the CAM sensor. I drove it home and the light came on again. They told me the mechanic must have forgotten to restart the computer so I brought it back in again. After a few hours they gave it back to me and everything was fine in the parking lot. But when I got in on the highway, stopped, and restarted it, the damn light came back on.
I brought it right back to the dealer and now they're saying it could be a crankshaft sensor or need a new battery. They seem pretty frustrated. Anyway, I'm supposed to pick it up today with a new battery and I'll see what happens.
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Originally Posted by 2002explorer
FHI-Prez,
They replaced the battery and the CAM sensor harness. I drove it home happy, but the next day the light came back on. This seems very unusual. It's back at the dealer now.
They replaced the battery and the CAM sensor harness. I drove it home happy, but the next day the light came back on. This seems very unusual. It's back at the dealer now.
Nick
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 235
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From: Indiana
a while back i had my service engine soon light come on too, but when i took it in they didnt find any codes. it turned out to be the idle air control valve (basicaly a modern choke) I didnt notice anything wrong until it got cold out, then it idled like crap. Now that i have joined the forum i realized how easy of a fix it was but whatever, the part costs about $50 from autozone, but if you go to the dealer they'll charge alot more ($100 for me ARRGG!).
