Check Engine Light?

Tiny
LEYARHAM
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  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
  • V8
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Should the check engine light come on prior to the vehicle running out of oil.
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Sunday, October 19th, 2008 AT 8:54 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi there,

The check engine light is an indication that the ECU has logged at fault code from the engine management system,this is the fuel, air & ignition systems and associated sensors, it will not identify a low or no oil condition. Check this guide to run the codes to see what's going on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back. Mark (mhpautos)
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Monday, October 20th, 2008 AT 12:06 AM
Tiny
CURTISNEWMAN57
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How do get the service engine soon light to go off?

Also, why do I not have a check engine light?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi:
The check engine light is set by the computer when it recognizes a problem with an electrical item such as a sensor or a misfire. To turn it off, you need a scan tool.

What I recommend is to take the car to a nationally recignized parts store and have them scan it and turn the light off for you. Most will do it for free. But keep in mind, the light is on for a reason, and if the problem isn't repaired, the light will eventually come back on for you.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAWRENCE LAMBERT
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Dealer told me the light was on because the front 02 senser on the right side needed replaced. When I do this can I reset the system by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
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You can clear the codes that way but you will also clear all the adaptive memory functions including idle strategy and fuel adaptives. It will relearn them after a while but may not idle right when first started. Leave battery disconnected for at least 5 minutes.
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LAWRENCE LAMBERT
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I appreciate the reply to my question. Hopefully this will improve my fuel mileage.
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUSIEFINGER
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I recently had an oil change. A few hours after the oil change, the service engine soon light illumiinated. I took it back to the place where I had the oil change and they said they forgot to clean some area that they should have and perhaps the gunk was blockiing a sensor. The light then turned off. I drove for about a week with no problems, but then the light came on again. I thought it might be a gas cap issue because I had researched and that is a common problem. So, I made sure that the gas cap was tightened and I refilled my tank. I then drove for a day or two (just locally), hoping the light would turn off. Well, today my car briefly stalled and when I restarted it, the light was off! I don't know whether to be happy or concerned. Any help?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
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Light out always a good thing
I think its the cap and it take a few miles for it to clear
but if you have it scanned that will help to tell what was the problem
ECM will store why the code was on
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GARY STATELY
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Starts good every time but will start to run rough at idle. Runs fine when warm but engine light will come on then off once shut off. Fluids are good, I think the plugs and wires may need a change. It is my girlfriend's vehicle so I do not really drive it all that much. What is your opinion?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Plugs and wires would be a good start.
The runs rough when cold but runs better when warmed up sounds like an intake manifold vacuum leak. Not uncommon with plastic intakes. Couple ways to test. One is to spray something like engine starting fluid or carburetor cleaner around the intake gasket area when the engine is first started and listen for it to increase in rpm. Another is to take a water/soda bottle, poke a couple small holes in the cap and gently pour/squirt water around the same gasket area while it is running and listen for the water to get sucked in.
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
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Hi. I just stumbled across your web site. I am a single mom and was driving to work this morning and when I was slowing down for a red light, my car just stalled and my battery light came on. It freaked me out, so I hurried, put it in park and restarted my car. It happened again 2-3 times in just a block's radius before getting into the hospital security garage at work. For about a week, when I would stop the idle was acting really funny. It would go up and then way down like it would stop but I just thought it was the cold weather, so I would put it in neutral and just gas it. Now, it's snowing and I am so scared this is going to happen in this snow storm on the way home tonight causing an accident or something. Do you have any idea why this is happening? Of note, the battery has been going dead for the past 6-months or so when I leave to go to work. My dad said it's because I leave my cell phone in my car over night to charge. I've stopped and so far so good but now this! Also, my check engine light came on when my car stalled this a.M. And hasn't shut off. I know my car is old but it still has pretty low mileage for a '00 and no car payment. I know zilch about cars but to renew tags. I would really appreciate any advice you could offer.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you have a great day.
Bren =)
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
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The clue is the Check Engine light. If it stays on while the engine is running, there is a diagnostic fault code stored in the Engine Computer. Your mechanic will read that code for a starting point. That will indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis. It's more important now to not allow the battery to run dead. Doing so will erase that code and that valuable information will be lost.
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JFITZP02
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  • 2000 FORD EXPEDITION
My dash lights have recently quit working along with certain aspects of my radio/cd player (display, volume, radio). As I was driving home today, my check engine light came on. Might it just need a new battery?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHORT_ANGEL_101
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We had those problems also and it turned out to be the cluster gauge. About $500 at Ford to fix it but if it goes out completly your car won't start!
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
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SOUNDS LIKE POSSIBLE A BATTERY OR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM. CAN YOU CHECK TO SEE THE VOLTS YOUR TRUCK IS RUNNING AT. DO YOU HAVE VOLT GAUGE?
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2020 AT 3:05 PM (Merged)

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