Check Engine Light on 2014 XLT

[Jerry D Finley]

Absolutely love my 2014 XLT with 70K on it... I bought it second hand about a year ago...

My engine light came on yesterday.. Not flashing.. Just stays on. The engine is running fine..

I've checked the oil and radiator fluid and it's perfect. Checked through the FAQ and saw some posts about a possible gas cap issue. Not sure what I'm looking for there, but as there is no cap, it looks OK..

Are there any known causes for the check engine light that are common to the 2014? I'm thinking it's probably something small like O2 sensors? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.. I have an appt with the local guy tomorrow and it's $140 just to look at it and run a diagnostic.. I'll feel really bad if it's something small and/or stupid like a bad windshield wiper.

 

[Steve8316]

Yes. The known cause is stored fault codes. Get a code reader, and read them. This one is good enough:

Amazon.com

No, oxygen sensors are not "small" and aren't a probable cause. There are over 400 possible codes, so no matter which one you blindly guess, it's not likely. The PCM does not monitor the wipers.

 

[Jerry D Finley]

Yes. The known cause is stored fault codes. Get a code reader, and read them. This one is good enough:

Amazon.com

No, oxygen sensors are not "small" and aren't a probable cause. There are over 400 possible codes, so no matter which one you blindly guess, it's not likely. The PCM does not monitor the wipers.

Thanks... I've marked it on my "next purchase" list... I'll ask my mechanic about it tomorrow am when he does his diagnostic.. If it'll save me some $$ in the future, I'll pick one up... Thanks much, amigo...

 

[ProjectSHO89]

Save yourself some money for now:

1. Postpone or cancel the appointment.
2. Go by any chain auto parts store (Autozone, Oreilly's, advanced, or whatever you have) and have them read the fault codes for free.
3. Do NOT buy any parts based on their recommendations, at least at this time.
4. WRITE DOWN ALL OF THE FAULT CODES (there may be more than one).
5. Come back hear and post the exact fault code(s).
6. Wait for analysis and recommendations from the experience folks here.

You may well end up at your mechanic's place anyway but at least you'll be going there armed with some knowledge.

 

[Jerry D Finley]

Save yourself some money for now:

1. Postpone or cancel the appointment.
2. Go by any chain auto parts store (Autozone, Oreilly's, advanced, or whatever you have) and have them read the fault codes for free.
3. Do NOT buy any parts based on their recommendations, at least at this time.
4. WRITE DOWN ALL OF THE FAULT CODES (there may be more than one).
5. Come back hear and post the exact fault code(s).
6. Wait for analysis and recommendations from the experience folks here.

You may well end up at your mechanic's place anyway but at least you'll be going there armed with some knowledge.

Excellent advice, but this time I gotta bite the bullet.. I'm due to drive out of town in the am so I'm under the gun to be road ready.. I dropped it off first thing this am and hopefully he'll solve the issue today... That being said... with your advise I'll be prepared in the future.. Much appreciated..

Absolutely love my 2014 XLT with 70K on it... I bought it second hand about a year ago...

My engine light came on yesterday.. Not flashing.. Just stays on. The engine is running fine..

I've checked the oil and radiator fluid and it's perfect. Checked through the FAQ and saw some posts about a possible gas cap issue. Not sure what I'm looking for there, but as there is no cap, it looks OK..

Are there any known causes for the check engine light that are common to the 2014? I'm thinking it's probably something small like O2 sensors? Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.. I have an appt with the local guy tomorrow and it's $140 just to look at it and run a diagnostic.. I'll feel really bad if it's something small and/or stupid like a bad windshield wiper.

Just an update... My local mechanic diagnosed the XLT and came up with code # P0456. He installed a Purge Solenoid Valve (which mounts somewhere on top of the engine) which cost me $86.+ diagnostic (partially reimbursed)+ labor.. all in... $200. I had it back in 3 hours. If I had had the time to do it myself with the advice of the previous posters I probably could have saved at least 1/2. Thanks everyone for the advice.. It was very helpful..

 

[J_C]

Glad you got it fixed. Be aware that sometimes the Evap system has a problem due to topping off the gas tank too full.

Rather than buying a cheap standalone code scanner or taking it to an auto parts store to scan (either of which will only show the OBD2 type codes, not the Ford specific codes), I'd sooner get an ELM327 based scan dongle that connects to a host device (laptop/PC/phone/etc) that runs Forscan app. You can get more info about Forscan on their website and forum. FORScan Home

 

[Jerry D Finley]

Glad you got it fixed. Be aware that sometimes the Evap system has a problem due to topping off the gas tank too full.

Rather than buying a cheap standalone code scanner or taking it to an auto parts store to scan (either of which will only show the OBD2 type codes, not the Ford specific codes), I'd sooner get an ELM327 based scan dongle that connects to a host device (laptop/PC/phone/etc) that runs Forscan app. You can get more info about Forscan on their website and forum. FORScan Home

Re..."I'd sooner get an ELM327 based scan dongle that connects to a host device (laptop/PC/phone/etc) that runs Forscan app."..

You may as well be speaking in Egyptian... I'm basically a Luddite... However.. I'll copy and paste your tip in my Explorer notes for future reference.. Thank you... and duly noted about topping off the gas..