just like the title says, i am a little confused. let me start from the begining.

a while back i had my ses light come on, so i brought the truck to autozone. the code they pulled was p0171. i figured i would have to bring it to the shop so i decided to wait until i saved up enough money. well yesterday i decided to fix a exhaust rattle i been having. come to find out it was leaking also. after doing this i figured i would try and disconnecting the battery and resetting the computer. after soing so the ses light went off.

now to what i don't understand is how can a exhaust leak right by the muffler could cause my light to come on. when as before i had cut the muffler off and the light never came on.

 

How long has it been since you reset it. my GF has a lingering SES light that I reset. Every once in a while it will stay off for days.

 

i just did it last night, but when it first came on i tried to reset it. it didn't work though. i was just glad to get it off so i could go get a inspection sticker. even if the light is on the truck runs fine.

 

You won't be able to get an inspection because the emmissions system hasn't gone through all of it's tests. It takes about 20 miles of driving and idling, etc.

 

+1
just found this out myself.
but it passed this morning!

 

Its a lean code. So... just to let you know that has nothing to do with the exhaust. 02 sensor maybe, but not a leak at the muffler. I have no muffler and I don't get a SES.





I just now looked at what the code was.

 

i know i didn't drive 20 miles between sunday and yesterday, but yesterday i was able to get it inspected. i told the guy that did it about the situation and he kinda laughed at it. he said that nothing came up when he hooked it to his computer. so i passed the inspection.

 

i know i ran mine for a few months like that and it didn't come on. i don't know what else it could be. i guess i will wait and see what happens. i think i will be getting rid of the truck in a few months anyway. i like the truck but i want a v8 and 4wd.

 

Did you pass emissions testing? If so, I wouldn't worry about it if you are wanting a new truck.


Cheap things you can do is clean the MAF, change fuel filter. run some fuel injector cleaner through your system.


More expensive: Plugs and wires, 02 sensors

 

check for a vacuum leak near the plentum and back behind the large electrical box on passenger side.

 

yes it passed. i don't thinks its the plugs, wires. or fuel filter because i changed those about a month before the light came on. i know i do need to clean the MAF. i think its still the original and i haven't cleaned it.