I'm pretty sure I know why, I just need to know how to clear the check engine light. I changed the oil for the first time in my wife's 04' F150 5.4 ( love that oil filter location design, NOT ) and now have a CEL. To get the *$%^#@**&-ing oil filter off, I removed the air cleaner intake tube and went at the filter from above. I also removed the sensor connector on the drivers side head. Before I re-connected the sensor, I turned the engine over to fill the oil filter so I could put in the last quart of oil and now have the CEL. Is there an easy way to clear that CEL ...? The engine has 7 quarts in it and it's right
on the money according to the dipstick...
Nothing else was touched or removed...

 

I believe (someone will correct me if not) you can disconnect battery for a few minutes and that should clear it.

But if I am wrong someone correct me.

Or you can also put a superchips tuner on there for your wife and you have the ability to read and clear the codes. Which is the best all around way to do it.. More power and no codes!

PS I am putting together a kit for my truck to relocate the oil filter. It will use of of the huge Motorcraft racing oil filters. You may want to consider the same thing. Until I get that together the dealer is doing my oil changes...

 

Geez...why go through all that? You're making it more difficult than it needs to be. My oil change takes me 15 minutes. Since it sits high off the ground I don't even need to jack it up. Get an extension for your rachet and get an oil filter wrench that slips over the filter (made the right size just to fit that filter). Very easy to get at from below...and no mess, no removing anything else, etc. I fill the filter up slightly before screwing the new one on, put all 7 quarts in at the oil fill tube and that's it. All done.

Try removing the battery cable for a bit to clear the error, as mentioned before.

 

To clear that CEL, just disconnect the negative cable from the battery for about 10-15 min and you should be good to go.

 

Your not going to get a CEL by changing the OIL and it WILL come back. Take it to the dealer and find out Why it came in the first place.



Chris

 

well, according to the original post, he ran it with a sensor disconnected. that will throw a code every time...

 

He disconnected a sensor and then started the truck before putting the last quart in, if I read that right. The disconnected sensor likely caused the light to come on.

 

AHHHHH nevermind, my bad.


Chris

 

I think Ford has a separate ground for the ECM, at least they used too. Disconnect this and you will clear codes, but not your other memories, radio, etc. If you do take it to the dealer, don't tell them what you did otherwise they will want to charge you. Good Luck!