check engine light (help)

[explorer82184]

ive had my 2001 sport for about 2000 miles now exactly. car runs perfect and i bought it from my parents so i know that it was well taken care of. anyway, today i noticed the check engine light was on. when i got home i took a look under the hood and checked everything i could think of. started the car up and it was still on. then i disconnected the battery went inside ate dinner and came back. when i reconnected the battery and started the car it had gone off. you guys think this fixed the problem? or should i waste my money and have ford look at it.......

 

[Robb]

It may come back.........no way to tell if it is gone on not. If you have AutoZone's out there, they will read your codes for free (may check with other parts suppliers). HarbourFreight.com sells a reader for about $50. The dealer would prolly charge you more than that for reading the codes once.

 

[TonyGen1164]

You didn't fix the problem, you only reset the computer, and the trouble code is still probably stored in it somewhere. Very shortly whatever caused the light to come on before, will again send a code to the computer turning the light on again. To find out what the problem is, and I'm sure there is one, even though the truck still runs well, just go to one of the bigger auto parts store and have them check the codes. I know Auto Zone will do it for free. Once they tell you what it is then you can figure out what needs to be done. It could be something as simple as a dirty sensor. But you would not be wasting money if it don't cost you anything.

 

[explorer82184]

thank you, i was unaware that autozone would check it for free and didnt want to spend money.

 

[explorer82184]

well actually, im still under warranty for another 1000 miles so that is covered right?

gonna make a list up of problems (aren't many) and take it in befoe it runs out

 

[matey]

i checked that harbour freight tools the readers down to 39.99 now but do you then need a ford tech book to decode it. sorry if this isnt helping you bud.

 

[Robert]

No, the HF code reader will come with a book that will list a one-sentance description of what the code means. Be aware though that it will only read Generic OBD-II codes. Ford has a lot of MFG specific codes that won't show up. For the price and size though it is worth keeping in the glove box.

 

[xplordakota]

Harbour Freight Code Scanner question

Originally posted by Robert
Be aware though that it will only read Generic OBD-II codes. Ford has a lot of MFG specific codes that won't show up.

what kind of things will it not detect?? Will it give me things like MAS, O2 and other common things??

 

[Robert]

Yes, it won't detect things like powertrain issues (transmission codes, ABS codes, SRS codes). For most (if not all) emissions related codes though it will read.