check engine light is on

[lil'_big_truck]

Hey guys, as the title says my check engine light has come on. I read in an explorer's manual that this indicates a emission control system malfunction. I was wondering what that means exactly or if there is something else that could cause it. also is it still okay to drive the truck around for a while? thanks

 

[88_Eddie]

as long as it isnt making any bad noises, overheating, leaking, smoking, steaming or anything else that looks/sounds bad, drive it to a autozone or o'reilly and have the codes read. it's free and it'll give you a place to start looking.

 

[Quartermile]

Maybe emission control did that. But any sensor in any part of the engine can make that come on. Also, the computer makes it come on when the transmission goes into failsafe mode, too many variables to know what did it. Have to use a computer to read the codes.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

ok so good news: the light went off on its own today. false alarm, i guess...

 

[pcollins]

if you get it hooked up to the computer and check it it will probably show up in the Pending codes area. they don't just go away, it will probly be back.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

darn...

 

[modelageek]

darn...

look at it this way ......the CEL is your friend it is nothing to be afraid of. it is your truck telling you that it might need a little attention, most of the time it is nothing to serious. I have been preaching this for a little while. imho 90% of all issue with these trucks is maintenance related. if you do the maintenance that is recommended it eliminates a lot of issues before they happen. Your truck is approaching 14 years old. you should go thru it and bring it up to snuff. change all the fluids, plugs wires, fuel filter, air filter, pcv, ...clean maf, tb iacv, battery terminals etc....... flush coolant and replaces hoses.

I bought by codereader for $20 at Costcos( I dont know if they still sell them) you want to check your truck for codes even pending ones.

A bad fuel filter or plugs can set off a misfire code. lean fuel, etc.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

ok, I did the fluid changes last summer. how hard is it to change the fuel filter?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Check the codes and let us know what they are before throwing money at it....

 

[modelageek]

ok, I did the fluid changes last summer. how hard is it to change the fuel filter?

it is not to tough. spary it with rust penatrator first. you will need a 5/16 removal tool there are a few types. they are about $10 wlamart has the filter for $8. here is a link showing how to do it it. I think it is around post #15

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=102197

 

[fourwheelford]

Pop the fuel reset button and start the truck it will run for a second then die, let it sit for a bit and most of the pressure will bleed off then you wont get blasted by fuel when you take it off.

 

[oldfordman]

Regarding the codes- many auto parts places will read the codes for free, they want to sell you the part to fix it. I think they can only read active codes, so if the CEL went out, I'm not sure if they can help. If you do any significant amount of work on your own vehicles, buy a scanner. Not an expensive one. I found a unit that runs off my laptop for about $90 at obdcom.com. works on almost all vehicles from 1996-2011. Not only gives you the codes, but real time sensor readings, and you can reset the codes. Not as fancy as the $1K+ professional models, but for a hobbyist like me, it's just what I need. Check the web, there are others out there as well, I am not trying to sell anything, this is just what I have. On the later Rangers, there is a whole bunch of stuff that can set the CEL beside emission readings- such as power steering pressure, transmission errors, etc.

 

[mixwell]

I've seen a lot of CEL threads and people keep referring to autozone which from what I've been told by a few autozones is they don't do free reads anymore.. I think it would be a good investment to just buy a cheap one, I just did this weekend for $60 after my co-worker used his to run on mine when my CEL light was on.. My code was P0125 which is something about the coolant loop temp or something but I THINK what my problem was is that my truck was running very cold and I had a failsafe themostat that I believe may have gotten stuck open.. I've cleared the light and replaced the thermostat and all is well so far..

 

[lil'_big_truck]

Ok, so I finally got in to pepboys and they read the engine and told me it was a fuel evaporator purge failure. (The EVAP control sys.) They said it could just need replaced or a hose is rotted and not too worry about it too much. I'm just glad it wasn't anything worse. I guess the next thing to do is look at this part. do you guys know where this system is and how to fix it?

 

[modelageek]

ok, so i finally got in to pepboys and they read the engine and told me it was a fuel evaporator purge failure. (the evap control sys.) they said it could just need replaced or a hose is rotted and not too worry about it too much. I'm just glad it wasn't anything worse. I guess the next thing to do is look at this part. Do you guys know where this system is and how to fix it?

yikes!!!!!!................WHAT WAS THE ACTUAL CODE #