hello,i have a 2000 ford F150 long wheel base with 4.2 V6,4 speed automatic.i just purchased it in august,it was a work truck for a company before i bought it at a used truck place in mobile,alabama.havent had any problems till a few days ago the service engine soon light stays on every time i start it in idle and driving it stays on but the fuel gauge low light comes on and my gauge will go to empty and then go back to full and the low fuel light will go off all the while when the service engine light is on,any suggestions would be helpful.

 

to reset your computer in your truck diconnect the possitive battery terminal leave it off for 2-3 minutes then rehook it this will take the check engine light , if it comes back on after running it you'll have to get a computer diagnastic chek done to see what the problem is

 

hello,tahnk you for the answer to my problem,i drove it last night and it was on and the fuel gauge acted up some but started working right again but the engine light was on,i disconnected the positive cable for 3 minutes today and knocked some corrosion off the cable terminal to,i started it up after 3 minutes no engine light came on so far,thank you for the help i really appreciate it,i wont know till i drive it alot but if it does it again i will take it and get it scanned for codes,take care and have a great day.

 

I'm sure that Dave means well by telling you how to reset the light, but you should never reset the light before drawing and writing down the code. Otherwise you have no history of information.

It doesn't even cost anything to draw the code anymore. They will do it for free at Auto Zone and other parts houses.

The knowledge that the light came on is basically useless knowledge unless you find out the exact code(s) that was set. If it comes on again, make sure you have someone get the code before resetting the light.

Good luck,
Doc
ASE Master

 

not true.. i reset mine(3 times now)..then put it in test mode..and the codes were still there
of course my light did not go out...and not sure why..it is comming up with a oil pressure switch error in the log...which came on once when it badly needed an oil change. (i thought the mechanic changed it when he didn't ) i realized when i heard a ping from the engine at which time the service engine soon light came on..i imm. got an oil change. only 70,000 miles and the light is staying on...

 

There is nothing in your truck that will turn on the SES/CEL due to oil level condition (or lack thereof). If you are using the cluster, those are not PCM fault codes and are not related to the CEL/SES (usually). You must use a scan tool to pull the fault codes.

NEVER disconnect the positive cable to reset the computer. ALWAYS disconnect the NEGATIVE cable first! Don't ask or argue, just do it that way.

It requires anywhere up to 10-15 minutes for the computer to reset when power is removed. Three minutes is not enough time to ensure that the backup power for the computer's memory is completely discharged and that the KAM is completely reset.

Listen to Doc, he knows what he is talking about.

Chances are, you have (at minimum) a problem with your fuel level sender or its circuit.

Steve

 

i reset it 3 times..first time for a few seconds...then i read it must be a full minute...so second time a minute..another guy said he did his for several hours..so my last attempt was for several hours.
i always disconnected only the negative. i will get a code reader and see what i find out

 

You can buy a code reader for about $80. It is a simple one that gives you the code and then you refer to a manual that comes with the reader and it tells you what that code means.
No sense in removing the negative battery cable for a few hours when you could buy a code reader and in 30 seconds read the codes and clear them out. Not to mention that when you disconnect the neg battery cable the EFI computer takes a while to relearn it's settings and you lose all your radio station presets.

 

Speaking of a code reader. I have a 2002 f150 xlt 4.2 v6.
I am thinking of purchasing one just for my own convienice so I don't have to make a trip somewhere.
Reading some other posts here I see some readers will not read all of the codes.
What should I look for as far as specs go to get the most versatile reader?