Check engine light
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Check engine light
I replaced my Bosch plugs with Motorcraft plugs since the Bosch plugs made my truck run like crap... lost power and 4-5 MPG.
After replacing the plugs, I cleared the computer, so it could relearn the new plugs.
It took a little while for it to relearn how to idle correctly but then the computer figured it out. About 30 miles later after the computer got everything right and the truck was running just great, the check engine light came on.
My Hanes book does not tell me how to read the computer like my older cars can.
SOOO.,, How do I read the code? or do I have to get a scantool or take it to the dealer....
After replacing the plugs, I cleared the computer, so it could relearn the new plugs.
It took a little while for it to relearn how to idle correctly but then the computer figured it out. About 30 miles later after the computer got everything right and the truck was running just great, the check engine light came on.
My Hanes book does not tell me how to read the computer like my older cars can.
SOOO.,, How do I read the code? or do I have to get a scantool or take it to the dealer....
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 10
From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
shipkiller,
I am guessing it is a 96 or newer truck.
The CEL need to be read through a ODB II scanner.
Actron makes a low cost read only scanner for ~ 45.00. I saw it at Sears harware, I thought for 39.99 ( may have been 49.99 knowing Sears hardware ). Pep Boys and AutoZone usually carry the all makes scanner / clearer for ~ 200.00. Try Actron.com for the low cost one, if you don't have a Sear Hardware near by.
If you take it to the dealer they might charge a diagnoses fee, some have said as high as 80.00 just to look at it.
Some have also said either AutoZone or Pep Boys will read the code for free, in hope of gettng the parts business.
If you do have them read the code, just get the code and post it back, and we can go from there.
Another question, since you mention reading it like the older cars, is it a flashing CEL or steady on CEL ?
Flashing CELs are usually misfires ( still need the code to know which cylinder it is, the flash rate is the same for all cylinders ).
Steve
I am guessing it is a 96 or newer truck.
The CEL need to be read through a ODB II scanner.
Actron makes a low cost read only scanner for ~ 45.00. I saw it at Sears harware, I thought for 39.99 ( may have been 49.99 knowing Sears hardware ). Pep Boys and AutoZone usually carry the all makes scanner / clearer for ~ 200.00. Try Actron.com for the low cost one, if you don't have a Sear Hardware near by.
If you take it to the dealer they might charge a diagnoses fee, some have said as high as 80.00 just to look at it.
Some have also said either AutoZone or Pep Boys will read the code for free, in hope of gettng the parts business.
If you do have them read the code, just get the code and post it back, and we can go from there.
Another question, since you mention reading it like the older cars, is it a flashing CEL or steady on CEL ?
Flashing CELs are usually misfires ( still need the code to know which cylinder it is, the flash rate is the same for all cylinders ).
Steve
Thread Starter
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Check Engine Light (more info)
The Check Engine Light (CEL) stays on constantly. It only came on last night.
I do know that the ODBII system will set the error if there is a error for two (2) or more start cycles and clear the error if the error has been cleared (no error) for three (3) or more start cycles.
Time to go to Sears...
I do know that the ODBII system will set the error if there is a error for two (2) or more start cycles and clear the error if the error has been cleared (no error) for three (3) or more start cycles.
Time to go to Sears...
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 537
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From: Booneville, Mississippi
I had the same thing happen to me when I changed the plugs and wires on my 97. It ended up being a misfire on cyclinder #7 because there was a hole in the side of my new plug boot. This made my boot jump off of the plug and misfire. you might check to see if all the boots are down tight.