Check Engine Light Came On This Morning. Help Please.

[GRocks10]

Hey everyone,

Its been awhile i've been on the board. Hows everyone doing? Well the problem that I have with my 1999 Ford Explorer XLT is really nothing actually.. I think its already been alittle more than 3000 miles in my opinion since I last got an oil and filter change for the explorer. The last time I got an oil change my brother in law did a favor and did it for me. Its been awhile since hes done it and i'm positive that it hit 3000 miles already. My sister says I haven't hit 3000 since we don't drive the Explorer that often but this has been already about 2 months ago since shes said that and we been driving it more often now because she just moved recently so going back and forth about a good 40 minute ride each way getting stuff from our house. Anyway i'm getting to the point. Today my mother needed to borrow the explorer to goto work and she noticed when she turned on the engine the 'Check Engine' light came on the dash. I was wondering for this year and model of the explorer does it do that by letting the driver know when its time to get an oil change? Would that mean that the 3000 miles is up and I need to get an oil and filter change? This is the first time the check engine light came on so were alittle worried and also i'm going to take the Explorer in for an oil and filter change tomorrow morning.. I just wanted to know what the check engine light means. I'm sorry for such the long posting guys!! Any help will be much appreciated!

Thank you,
Gabriel

 

[Nate1]

No, I does not. You can either a) reset your computer and clear the code to see if it comes back, or b) take it to autozone, have it read for free, ignore what they try to sell you to fix it, then come back here and tell us.
Personally, I would choose b, but if you don't have the time....
Good Luck!
-----Nate

 

[GRocks10]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply! So this check engine light has nothing to do with the oil needing to be changed? Would the Explorer have a light come on if it needs an oil change or no? Also what do you think could be the reason why the light came on? This is the first time this happend.. So anyway i'm planning to go tomorrow to get an oil and filter change and I don't know about AutoZone if we have one here in Miami, FL or not but I plan to goto a place I found that does oil changes and filter for a good price so should I mention to them about the check engine light coming on and hopefully they would be able to check it out, would it be free? I'd appreciate any advice from you guys.

Thanks again!!

-Gabriel

 

[Sallad420]

It's no big deal!

Mine comes on and off at least once a week. But it goes off a day later. I've read that it can be caused by a misfire, etc.

So I would give it a few days or do as Nweibley says about clearing the comp.

 

[gavin]

I don't believe any vehicle's CEL will come on when an oil change is needed. I have seen some consoles (like the computer console in some Explorers) where it will tell you when an oil change is needed, but of course there's a reset button or somethin when you do the change.

And like has been said.. I would go to AutoZone, Napa may even do it, but any shop that will scan the codes for free.. that way you know why it comes on. Sure you could reset the ECM, but depending on the problem, that may not be a good idea.

 

[TPLYNCH]

Just out of curiosity, she said the light came on when she started it. Did it stay on??? cause your check engine light always comes on when you are starting your Explorer........ And to reiterate, there is no way for your Ex to tell you it's time for and oil change.

 

[Glacier991]

GRocks -what they are trying to tell you is that the days of idiot lights are past. That check engine light is backed up with a computer memory that will tell you exactly what it was that made the "check engine light" light up in the first place...even if it went back to the normal "off" status since (it stores the data for a specified number of restarts, and that number is high) and I think by 1999 there were over 200 plus things being monitored. Your Ex is what they call OBDII (on board diagnostics II). A simple code reader will cost you under $100 and a single visit to the dealer to have THEM read it will set you back most of that. Ask me and I'll say EVERY Ex owner ought to have one.

No reason to try and guess WHY the light came on anymore. You can let it tell you ! Neat huh ?


Happy exploring

Chris

 

[Positive Vibes]

GRocks10: Go to an auto parts store and by a "code reader". I got mine at Wal Mart for $30. Then once you get the codes we can help you determine what's causing your CEL to come on. But until we have codes or symptoms we can't even begin to guess what's causing it.

 

[LStoudenmire]

I believe the 95's and laters are OBD-II, and the OBD-II code readers may be more expensive than $30.00.

 

[GRocks10]

Hey everyone,

Just to clear up anything i'm a guy. I noticed someone referred me as a women. Anyway I went today to the oil change place and they can't do the oil change right now because they have to many people at the shop right now and I have to come by at 7:00 AM tomorrow morning to get that done. Then I told them about the Check Engine light coming on and they told me they have to charge me $28.88 to use a special machine to check out whats wrong with the Explorer and thats the only way they can give me an estimate on the problem. I want to find a place that will do that for free because for all I know they can say some lie that something is wrong with it just to get more money from me for the "problem" and I want to goto another car shop to see aswell if they tell me the same problem. For all I know it probably is the sensor that is causing this problem but I don't want to spend $30 bucks just to find that out. Another thing.. This Explorer has never had this problem with the check engine light coming on and Staying on. Yes, all the lights always turn on when ever I turn the suv but this time the check engine light stays on and doesn't shut off at all. Everything drives perfectly smoothly.. I'm not having any problems whatsoever just that the light is on and doesn't shut off. How would I go about resetting the sensor myself so it shuts off and would that fix my problem? Also if say its been driven way more than 3000 miles could that be another reason why the check engine light is now coming on warning me that is the problem? Hopefully the light goes off tomorrow after I get the oil change. I'd appreciate any advice you guys can offer me!

Thank you!!

-Gabriel

 

[DonM]

Dude, just change the oil yourself!!! IT's easy, like 10-15 min.

Then take it to advanced Auto for a "FREE" code scan! Dont pay anyone to check codes...

 

[Glacier991]

Gabriel...

Your "check engine light" has ZERO, NOTHING, ZIP, NADA to do with the mileage driven whether post oil change or otherwise. Scratch that notion. Ok?

Your check engine light is simply saying that the sophisticated computer system you have on board has detected something that doesn't match up to what it knows is "normal". Think of it like the computer on Capt'n Kirk's Enterprise saying to him, "The number four reactor core is overheating". Since this computer can't speak, it just tells you by lighting a light and you have to get a number code and match it up to a problem assigned that number. (I still think it's kinda neat though). SOME things that will light that light up can be driven safely without problems for a long time. (some EGR complaints for example). Others may need attention more promptly. Simply resetting the light will likely be fruitless if the fault is a continuing one. (You could, of course put black tape over the light - but neither resetting the light or putting tape over it fixes anything, except your state of mind). No sense in asking what might be wrong, because the list could include literally hundreds of items - some significant and expensive to fix, some insignificant and inexpensive to fix. Odds are if the Ex is running fine with the light, the problem isn't likely terribly serious - but there is SOMETHING afoot.

However you do it, I'd suggest you get the code read and let us know which code it is. Or, try the tape route. (g).

Happy exploring


Chris

 

[GRocks10]

If I want to do the oil change myself... How much can I expect to buy the oil for? Also do I need to change the filters or no? Please let me know as this is my first time having to change oil in a car on my own.. and not having a car shop do it. Also whats all that about that car shop wanting to charge me $28.88 to estimate the problem? Were they going to do a code scan on the X? Please let me know.. I've never had this problemo with the light coming on so i'm abit worried and what sucks the most now is that i'm in the process of selling the explorer so I really don't want to be putting more money to get things fixed since I recently got a new brake job done... that cost almost $200.

-Gabriel

 

[DonM]

Buy oil by the case, it's cheaper. I buy my oil at k-mart when it's on sale.

Some places charge $20-$30 for an oil change, you can do it yourself for alot cheaper. And yes you need a new oil filter when changing the oil.

Oil is cheap, just look around.

 

[aldive]

It is very importanyt to have the trouble code read. OBD II is a great tool ( sometimes ).

By all means, do the oil change yourself. Its a simple 15-20 minute job.... anyone can do it. It will save you money and prevent the oil monkey from screwing something yo. Yes, always do the filter.

 

[Positive Vibes]

May I suggest purchasing a Chiltons or Haynes manual for your X. Get any auto store for around $20 and it will help you with pictures even on how to change the oil, what the CEL is etc.

 

[GRocks10]

Hey everyone,

I already found a place that i'm going to get the oil change for $8.99! Its a car shop thats been in business for a long time.. Anyway its a great price and I rather save myself the trouble of doing it myself where I might fuck up and I sure don't want anything bad to happen since were selling the explorer now. Anyway I wanted to know that the estimate of $28.88 that the car shop wanted to charge me to check the problem with this special machine that they said cost $4000. I wanted to know is that the machine that will check my problem that I can get done for free at another place? I'd appreciate the advice.. I really hope its just the sensor as this is our first time having this problem.. Should we be worried or no? Is this a common thing that happens with Explorers? Alright well thanks alot you guys!

-Gabriel

 

[gavin]

a repair shop probably does have an expensive code scanner, but they are generally useable on several different kinds of ECMs (EEV-IC, OBD, OBDII, etc) with the single machine.
AutoZone, possibly Napa, I believe just have the general code scanners that they sell. They will scan the codes for free with those.
The scanners for the "general public" (ie, the ones that don't cost thousands of $$) give you the same information, but the more expensive ones go into more detail about it (ie, one I know of connects to the internet and will give detailed information about it)

and as has been said several times throughout the posts, GET IT SCANNED. Should you be worried? Maybe yes, maybe no. WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL YOU FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

 

[aldive]

Anout the cheap oil change....

Remember you get what you pay, A quality oil filter costs more than your entire oil change. Remember that someone who is not paid well will be doing it. do you want that? DIY and be sure its right......

 

[GRocks10]

Hey everyone,

I decided NOT to get the oil change at that place for $9.88 because its so cheap and I want the best for my explorer so I decided to take it to Jiffy Lube. Got the 'Signature Service' for $27.99 and the Air Filter for $19.99 with taxes, and evvironmental surcharge it all came out to a total of $52.67. For that price I got: Change Oil, Changed Oil Filter, Check Air Filter, Check Wiper Blades, Vacuum Floors, Wash Exterior Windows. Additional Services Performed as Needed: Lubricate Chassis, Transmission/Transaxle Fluid Level, Differential Fluid Level, Power Steering Fluid Level, Windshield Washer Fluid Lever, Battery Water Level, Tire Pressure, Brake Fluid Level, Lights checked, Radiator Overflow Reservdir Checked. Is that a good price for everything I listed is good price or no? Comparing to the $9.88 oil change with that other place I went to a good place that is well known and got all these extra services for that total price. I think its a high price though but well worth because now the explorer is in better tip top shape.... OH YEAH... They told me that the check engine light is coming on because sometimes when my mom uses the suv and puts in gas she doesnt tighted the gas cap all the way and that could be the reason the sensor goes off and also they said that they check the engine oil and it was to full and it was to dirty. Anything else I should do, would that cause something bad to happen to the explorer? and they said they could do the scan check for $14.99!! With everything I did there I would think they would be nice and do it for free!!! Should I go back and see if they can reset the sensor atleast for free since they said its just the sensor because I really hate it now that we got all this stuff fixed and paid this much and the check engine light is coming on and were selling the suv so I don't think any potential person coming to see it would like seeing the engine check light on even after we got all the oil change and everything else I listed. I'd appreciate the advice so much guys!!

Thanks,
Gabriel