I recentley bought a 98 f150 and relized a few days after i bought it that when i turn the key forward the check engine light does not come on am i screwed or can this be fixed could bulb be out will it still read if plugged up to tell me what is wrong i live in nc and have to have yearly inspections any help would be good thx.

 

Does the cigarette lighter work? They share the same fuse. If the cig lighter dont work you need to replace the fuse.

 

yes i believe it does can plug gps into both of them.

 

The cigar lighter has nothing to do with the operation of the CEL lamp.

Chances are, the bulb is burned out.

Perhaps the seller removed it to disguise an emissions-related problem so they could more easily sell the truck. You will need to pull the cluster out and examine/replace the bulb to find out.

 

I'm positive the Cig lighter and the CEL lamp share the same fuse. I've had the fuse blow several times in my old van when the CEL was on and it would go out. Replacing the fuse made it come back on. Plus I've read it several times here on this board. The bulb could be bad or whatever-could be some other reason. I also know you cant retrieve codes with a bad fuse again from personal experience. I'd get a scan tool. Check and see if it will allow code retrieval and all..

 

No, not any OBDII Ford I've ever seen. See the schematics.


Yes. The same fuse on Ford trucks (usually) supplies the cigar lighter and the OBDII test port. Most scan tools require this power for their operation. If the cigar lighter fuse is blown, most scan tools cannot connect to the PCM.

 

I'll have to check that out. Thanks.

 

i had the codes read today their is only one it is a transmition sensor? the check engine light is not on so it could be burned out but i can still read the codes. is it had to take the instrument cluster out and replace bulb?

 

yeah you'll have to remove the cluster to get at it. Find instructions on it and its not as hard as you might think.

 

A "transmission sensor" code would not be expected to set the MIL to on.

The MIL should come on when the ignition is first turned to RUN from OFF. If it doesn't, you'll have to pull the cluster to inspect/replace the bulb as I previously advised.

 

The OD OFF light flashes when it sets a transmission code.

 

..and the OD OFF light is not the MIL. It's the TCIL.

 

took the cluster out today and it was just a bad bulb check engine light is on and ill have codes read again tomorrow thx for all your help

 

I went and had the codes read today and they are p0401 said gas exaust somethen any ideas? and other one is p0708 something about transmition any ideas or sugestions would be great thx.

 

The Po401 code is generally a DPFE code. It does not necessarily mean the DPFE needs replaced.. Check all hoses leading to the DPFE suck test the egr clean the throttle body Pay attention to the EGR ports. If all that doesn't fix it replace the DPFE with a motorcraft part. 708 is trans code so you might try posting in the Transmission section..