Hi,

My '01 Supercrew has only 24,000 miles on it. Last night on my way from work, the "service engine soon" light came on. Though I'm not that mechanical auto wise, I'm thinking it's probably an 02 sensor. Here's my question:

Realizing that this is an emissions problem, can it be properly diagnosed at a place like Pep Boys? And will the replacement part matter if it's not genuine Ford? I don't want to be hosed by the dealer... especially if it's something I can do myself.

 

The first place you start is by getting the code/s involved.
The code doesnot tell you what part to replace.
It only alerts you to the system involved.
The sytem can have several related parts.
It's up to you how you want to handle it.

 

I take it that you're over the three year mark recently...Autozone, Checkers etc. will normally read your computer and provide a free printout with the error codes if any are loaded - 24K is not much, seems pretty low for an 02...probably something really simple.

 

Don't assume it's a O2 sensor. Until the code is read, it's guesswork.

 

If it is emission related it's warrantied for 5 years 50,000 miles

 

Have you checked your gas cap to make sure it is on tight? Sometimes it's that simple.

Let us know what the outcome is.

Thanks

 

Very good posibility that the DPFE sensor went bad too.

Find out what it needs, don't just assume the 02 is bad. I see this everyday. Some customer gets a light and starts throwing parts at the truck. Way waste of money.

Had a Honda at shop yesterday the the cooling fans wouldn't come on and engine was running hot.
Customer replaced both temp. sensors and still didn't work. He did prove out that the fan motors were good by jumping one of the sensor and they came on. Duh, if you jump the sensor and the sensor is "New" something else is wrong.

Long story short. Needed a radiator, which he new, it was leaking and there wan't enough water in engine for the sensors to read to turn the fans on. Sensors won't read hot air.

New radiator fixed it up.

He wasted money on two sensor and his time.

 

here is a copy of all the Ford codes

http://www.superchips.com/html/insta...adermanual.pdf

 

Well thanks everyone...

Gearhead hit it right on the money! I took it to the dealer and it turned out to be the DPFE sensor. It was still under warranty (like FIRESVT pointed out) so it didn't cost me a dime This probably would've cost me $100 had I taken it to someone other than Ford.

Have a good holiday and thanks again for all your replys!