I checked the manual and it says it is an emission controls problem. I assume this means a bad O2 sensor? Anyone else have the "Check Engine" light come on? I will be getting it checked out Monday. Just curious to hear other peoples two cents on the subject. Things done recently: spark plugs changed, Motorcraft plugs and wires, water pump changed, and new belt. I am at 102K miles.

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1997 F-150 XL, 4.2L 5spd
Mods: 16x8 Centerline wheels, 285/60/16 Goodyear Eagle GT IIs, Flowmaster, K&N, tint, alarm, billet grille, clear corners, carpet, Kenwood CD w/Infinity speakers, 60/40 seats, and a 5hp "Ford Racing" sticker on the back window.

 

Run some good fuel injector cleaner through your system (I use cheveron techron from target, walmart,etc). Make sure you put it in a tank of less than 12 gallons. Hopefully it is just carbon deposits on your injectors and the light will go off after you drive it a while. I used to drive about a 100 mile round trip to get the stuff to burn really hot, but that's a bit excessive. Hope it works for ya...

~¤Mark¤~

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¤1999 F-150 supercab w/ a big ole 4.2L
¤BFGoodrich 265/75R's
¤16" Eagle Alloys series 589
¤Billet Alluminum Grille
¤Pioneer DEH-P9200
¤800 Watt Power Acoustik Fire and Ice Amplifier for the XLC's
¤2400 Watt Power Acoustik "1 Ohm series" for the Power DVC's
¤2 10" Punch XLC's
¤2 12" Punch Power DVC's
¤Custom Door Poppers
¤Power locks...etc..etc

Fightin Texas Aggie Class of '02 WHOOP!

 

Thanks. Well, I took it to Ford to run on the computer. It was two bad sensors. One was the vapor management valve and the other one was a fuel tank managment sensor. So, I am $414.29 poorer. Yes, I have a sore ***.

 

As I was driving to work on Thursday the 11th my check engine light came on. The vehicle showed no signs of trouble and it continued to run fine. ( my commute to work is less the 20 miles). When I arrived at work I let the truck idle for awhile and nothing was obvious, except that the light was still on. Please note that I have taken my pickup in for regular servicing and it had jmust been in the shop less than four weeks ago. ( I also checked the manual which said there may be emission problems) When I got in the truck to start it up after work the engine turned over but began BANGING immediately!!! I shut it off and raised the hood after inspection I saw oil running under the truck. I put it in neutral and pushed it backwards and found pieces of the crankcase on the ground! The engine had thrown a rod. No warning! I am currently checking this bulletin board to see if anyone else has had a similar problem.

 

Anyone know how to reset the check engine light?

 

Unhook the battery for about a half an hour or more and then turn the headlights on for just a second to completely drain any residual current before hooking the battery back up. Supposedly the computer will reset itself. This method worked on my Taurus also.

 

thanks cowboy, worked just like you said!

 

I have had my engine light on my '96 come on a couple of times. It only happens when I have been driving for a while into a head wind. Trust me, I check it out well. I'm not sure what it is coming on for exactly, but I have reset it by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and then touching the + cable to the battery 2 or 3 times. I haven't had to wait 30 minutes, just a few. It has reset and I haven't had any other problems with it other than that, and that only a couple of times.

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