Hey all! I'm 16 yrs old and although I'm not the owner (my dad is) I have a 97' F-150 XLT 4X4 with the 4.2 in it. We bought the truck in January of this year and the check engine light was on. The dealer told us it was because of some maintenence that had been performed and they supposedly fixed the light. However, in March it came back on and has been on ever since. My dad is skilled with engines and such and we believe there is nothing at all wrong for the light to have come back on. Before we take it to a local garage and pay to have it fixed, do any of you know how to reset the computer or any other quick-fix for this problem? It really is aggrevating to have it on because when people get in the truck with you, they think something is wrong and they don't want to ride in it. haha

Anyways, you all seem very educated about Ford trucks and your help is greatly appreciated.

 

You can go to Autozone and they will pull the codes from the computer for you (for free). Then you can check them to what you have actually done on the truck and see if it's really a problem or not.

It only takes a minute and I would bring something along to write on so you can write the code(s) down. They can tell you what it means there, or you can come back here and ask, or you can google them.

 

Hey, I had the same problem with light. I have a 99 with 112,000 miles. I went to autozone, they said that the bank was lean. After that checked many message boards and fouind the problem. There is a vaccum line on the passanger side valve cover at the way back. That may be cracked, mine wasn't so I followed that line to under the upper intake manifold, behind the throttle body and wala there is a 90 degree hose that was soft from heat and had a hole in it. If thats it be carefull removing it, because there is a plastic tube that is in there. Trust me if drop it not only once, but twice. Its very tight in there so watch for it if thats the problem. Also to reset the codes you have to unhook the battery for 10 minutes ( found that out from a local Ford dealers service dept.) Good luck!!

 

Hey, I would first take it to Autozone and get the codes checked. I had the same problem with my light, took it to Autozone and they told me one of the banks was lean. After checking some message boards, I found out that there is a vaccum line on the back corner of the passanger side valve cover. I checked that and nothing was wrong so I followed the line and it ends up at a 90 degree hose under the upper intake manifold, behind the throttle body. Checked that and wala it had gotten hot and created a hole in it. Ford doesn't sell just that hose they want to sell you the whole line from valve cover to intake so I made one from some of the left over hoses from the motorcycle engines we deal with at work. Changed that, unhooked the battery for 10 minutes (that resets the codes, according to my local Ford service dept.) and no more light. I did this about four months ago, with no more problems. Hope this helps and good luck.


99 F-150 Extended Cab
Curry Made Cold Air Intake
Curry Made Throttle Body Spacer
Now working on putting a Thunderbird Supercoupe "SUPERCHARGER on it. (IN THE WORKS)

 

I don't know what I did, but I didn't think it took the first time so I did it again!!!!

 

better question is why you have a V6 vin an XLT 4x4?

I thought that 4.6 was standard in that config?

 

To reset the computer, unhook the negative cable on the battery and then turn on the lights. Leave the cable unhooked for 10 minutes. If the check engine light comes on again after that, go to Autozone to pull the codes.

 

J-150, I dunno, I recall seeing some 4x4 XLT v6's but let me research a little just to be sure...

Yup, looks like you can.

31C

 

first off fuel inj is a seald system go take the fuel cap off then start the truck let it run for 1 - 2 minates then make sure the cap is on tight by the third cold to warm start the light should go off if not have it checked