common causes for CEL?
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Member
Joined: May 2002
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From: Levy, Arkansas
common causes for CEL?
I've got a 1997 4.6 with just over 80k miles and I got my first check engine light today. Anyone got any ideas of what it could be before I take it in? thanks.....
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Dallas
#4 plug missing....
thats a good bet...take it by the zone they,ll check it for free...p0304 is the code...replace plugs...smear lots of delectric grease on the outside of that particular boot and #3 would,nt hurt and have fun
Senior Member
Joined: May 2000
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What he is saying is take your truck to Auto Zone and get it checked for free. They will do a code read for you at no charge. Then bring the code back here and see if the "Experts" can tell you what it means. Sometimes the AutoZone guys are right in their interpritation of the code but sometimes not... Sometimes it is as easy as buying a new gas cap... Sometimes ???????bad plug wires??????bad plugs???????vacume leak??????You get the picture.
Good luck...
Good luck...
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Northern Kentucky
Is the CEL stay on or is it flashing? Usually a flashing light will mean a misfire problem abd constant light indicates a emission related item or something else has failed. Is the truck running bad?
There's thousands of things that could cause it. Just get zone to read the code and go from there or if time is important have a dealer IandR.
There's thousands of things that could cause it. Just get zone to read the code and go from there or if time is important have a dealer IandR.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
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Quick possible fix. Remove the Negative battery cable - leave it for about 5 minutes , then reattach.
This will clear the computer memory - sometimes a bad startup or something passing through the fuel injector can trigger this check engine light -
If it is something serious or needs attention - then you can take it in.
Gup
This will clear the computer memory - sometimes a bad startup or something passing through the fuel injector can trigger this check engine light -
If it is something serious or needs attention - then you can take it in.
Gup
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Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Auto Zone will do it for free, and getting the code number is the best thing. You will find hit or miss on if you get a good mechanic for interpiting the code.
You can look up some of the common code here :
http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...=4371032_23805
Or another thing you could do it get the code scanner itself for ~ 200.00, and have the ability to get the generic ODB II codes form the unit, or get the Ford specific is you want to.
Autotap is another cool one, but now you are getting to the 450.00 range.
http://www.autotap.com
Either way, get it scanned and look up the code, and then you can always come back to the thread, and post it back to get some real life help from the memebers here.
I have to agree, there are common CEL items like the gass cap, but this is always not the case.
You can look up some of the common code here :
http://www.actron.com/cgi-bin/web_st...=4371032_23805
Or another thing you could do it get the code scanner itself for ~ 200.00, and have the ability to get the generic ODB II codes form the unit, or get the Ford specific is you want to.
Autotap is another cool one, but now you are getting to the 450.00 range.
http://www.autotap.com
Either way, get it scanned and look up the code, and then you can always come back to the thread, and post it back to get some real life help from the memebers here.
I have to agree, there are common CEL items like the gass cap, but this is always not the case.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Originally posted by shaggnasty
got lucky....it was the gas cap (thanks to the dude that mentioned it). I appreciate all y'alls help.
got lucky....it was the gas cap (thanks to the dude that mentioned it). I appreciate all y'alls help.
[Dom Pardo ] : A years supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Franciso Treat.
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,511
Likes: 10
From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Re: oh darn...
Originally posted by TexfordD
oh well...i tried...congrats on the easy fix
oh well...i tried...congrats on the easy fix
Dooohh ! <G>
