I have a 2001 F150 which I love btw. Check engine light is on, has been for a really long time. Is there a common cause other than the gas cap that any one has experienced? And what did it cost to fix it?

I will have to get emissions testing in October to renew my tags.

 

Hi & Welcome!

A CEL can be set for many, many reasons.

Job #1 is get the truck scanned ( Autozone, etc does it fer free). Don;t let 'em sell yall anythang neither.

Then, Post the code(s) up here fer a look-see. Don't delay - you could be damaging yer truck.

Good luck.

MGD

 

OOH Thanks!!! I had the code pulled once at Pep Boys but of course it's 50.00 for them to tell you what it means. Will do!! AutoZone right down the street from my house!!

 

All we need is the P-number.

 

Going to get it on my way home tonight. I forgot what it was from Pep Boys.

 

If you ever want a simple scanner that does the job this one works fine for me:

 

Awesome thanks!

 

That's the exact one I use.

 

You can't beat the price, that's for sure. Be sure to follow the instructions posted in one of the reviews for it on Amazon. The one that comes with the scanner isn't very good.



Also interestingly enough it works great in my 2002 F-150, my 2005 Mazda 6, but does not work in my fiances 2006 Honda Civic. I did a google search on it and it seems other civics have an issue with that scanner as well.

 

Okay, I didn't make it to AutoZone last night. I'm a girl what can I say, I broke a nail or had a hair trauma or something? Aiming for tonight or Saturday morning. Don't give up on me yet..

 

I dont trust the scan from Autozone much, seems as if they sell a lot of O2 sensors. You do get what you pay for so what do you expect for free. Take to a reputible tech and pay the minor fee to get diagnosed. If you think 50 or so dollars for this is too much buy your own $3000 scan tool and $1200 or so a year to keep it updated. I see far to many wrong diagnosis from cheap scanners and lack of training.

 

The Autozone scanners will read the P-codes just like the expensive tools. We never said to get their diagnosis, just the codes.

 

My code is PO174

 

Its not that I think 50 is to much. I just like trying things myself. I will most likely have to get it repaired by a professional but whats wrong with doing a little research and learning something along the way?

 

P0174 is a lean condition on bank 2 (driver's side). There are several possible causes, but the most likely cause is a vacuum leak.

The most common leak is the PCV elbow at the back of the intake, it rots and cracks. It can also be caused by an exhaust leak before the 1st O2 sensor.

Gas cap has nothing to do with this code.