Check Engine Light on for 4 years

[off-road97Xplor]

This might be a really SILLY question but my my family and people i know keep saying this and im not sure if its a "rumor" or "urbon legend" or it might be true but here it is.

When i told my Dad that im going out in A bit to get my the long running CEL checked he said that its just a scam to get you to go to the Ford Dealership to pay them money. he also said the CEL is set go off every certain amount of miles.
other people agree with him. I disagree and say that he doesnt go off for NO reason and it goes off when somethings wrong.

I know there are many smart people on this site so please prove me right or wrong and put this to rest.

 

[dreamr]

I believe that the check engine light does come on when major servicings are due. At least I know it did in some older vehicles. Not really sure on the X (30 60 90ketc...)

However anytime you get a check light you should at least find out what it means. If it is only for servicing. Service it and reset the light. If it is telling you that you have some sort of mechanical concern, then get it fixed.

I call that an urban legend! Check Engine Lights were added to the instrument clustrr to help the non-mechanically inclined become aware of potential vehicle problems before they turned into a major issue. Saying it is just a way to get you into the dealer clearly outlines the lack of mechanical knowledge in your average individual.

 

[00XLS]

No offense but dad has no idea what hes talking about. the CEL light is there to tell you the computer has found a problem with a vehicle system and it needs to be fixed, not always right away but most of the the time you let it go and it leads to more problems. take it to autozone have them scan it and tell us what they say.

 

[aldive]

The CEL is simply a diagnostic tool that is triggered when the computer detects a sensor operating out of rang or has failed. It does not simply come on a x number of miles in order for Ford to get you into the dealership.

It is a wonderful diagnostic tool when used with an OBD scanner.

 

[off-road97Xplor]

Thank you very much guys now i can show him im right
I'm leaving right to autozone and then to the mall to get a new cell.
I'll keep you guys posted

 

[A Wise Guy]

My Avenger was really good at telling me my gas cap was not tight enough and the dealer loved to charge to clear the light. My X's I haven't seen yet and my Honda does come on for schedualed maintenance and for the wife not tightening the gas cap all the way. At least it will clear itself when it is the gas cap. As for the schedualed maintenance I can clear that with key turns.

 

[aldive]

There is no way that the CEL was designed to illuminate for "scheduled maintenance" on an Explorer.

 

[off-road97Xplor]

*******************Update************************

I went out and there was no autozone in the area, so i went to PepBoys and they wanted $$70 bucks to do it. I said "no way see ya later" (or rather thought) and left.
I'm out to NJ tommorow but monday im bringing it to a friend with a scanner.
BTW: how do you clear it with key turns?

 

[IAmTodd]

I do beleive that three sucessful starts with out the problem that is causing it, it will go off. Atleast thats how many times it take after you've tightened the gas cap.

 

[off-road97Xplor]

Thanx todd, And for the rest I'm out to NJ for today. I'll be back monday and go to autozone to get the codes pulled. I'll keep all of you informed.

 

[frickea86]

four years for a cel light, sounds like me and my family, i've had a cel light on since we bought it back in 97, although i did go off every once an a while. I bet its a damn O2 sensor, thats what all mine were, hope the happy hunting for the cel codes goes well...lata

 

[awhughes]

Your CEl has been on for 4 years, I am starting to think the response/resolution is going to take the same amount of time. Lets solve this thing, its only a light for Pete's sake.

 

[spta97]

...for a Scan Gauge. It will read and clear codes, reset the CEL and do a LOT more than that. Like monitor lots of engine parameters as a supplemental instrument and also as a trip computer. I've had mine for six months or so now and I couldn't be happier.
Scan Gauge

Does anyone else have one of these? It looks pretty cool.

Gearz - What else can it do?

 

[IAmTodd]

Does anyone else have one of these? It looks pretty cool.

Gearz - What else can it do?

Spindlecone and MONMIX have it. They say its a great little toy. I'd like to get one. Someday!

 

[spta97]

Spindlecone and MONMIX have it. They say its a great little toy. I'd like to get one. Someday!

I wonder if I'm better off getting on of these or a real ODBII code reader / programmer and a chip. I just ran almost 100% highway on this tank and was only able to average 13 MPG I used the whole tank too - fill up was 18.9 gallons

I really want to know what people are doing to get 18 mpg on this beast? If I knew what to fix I would fix it but so far everything I've done has not made much of a difference (fuel filter, seafoam, IAC, cleaned MAF, flushed tranny, run 35 PSI in tires). My only other thought is to do the plugs and wires but that is expensive if it won't make a MPG difference - especially since I've only got 36k on the odo.

 

[aldive]

I really want to know what people are doing to get 18 mpg on this beast? If I knew what to fix I would fix it but so far everything I've done has not made much of a difference (fuel filter, seafoam, IAC, cleaned MAF, flushed tranny, run 35 PSI in tires). My only other thought is to do the plugs and wires but that is expensive if it won't make a MPG difference - especially since I've only got 36k on the odo.

Have you replaced all of your fluids with full synthetic? Do you drive it hard? What mods have you done?

Better mileage is definitely possible.

 

[Billy177]

my guess would be leaky intake manifold gaskets causing a both banks lean code. that would explain the bad milage from the computer compensating for it

 

[briwayjones]

Are there any cheap scanner/programmers that does the stuff like adjust the computer for a change in tire size?

It's probably an O2 sensor tripping the cel. I know '96s where notorious for the O2 sensors tripping the cel when the got a little old even though nothing was wrong. I had that trouble on my '96 a lot.

 

[aldive]

Are there any cheap scanner/programmers that does the stuff like adjust the computer for a change in tire size?

Not sure what you consider cheap/

I purchased a SCT Flasjer with Apten programming from Apten for $410.00 delivered to my door.

Take a look at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108461&highlight=apten+flasher

 

[spta97]

Have you replaced all of your fluids with full synthetic? Do you drive it hard? What mods have you done?

Better mileage is definitely possible.

I've got this deal with my dealer called "Engine for life". What it means is that they will repair any lubricated engine part as long as I get the oil changes done there. It's such a pain because I would rather do it myself but they don't offer synthetic. My tranny fluid I beleive is synthetic but I didn't do the flush so I have to take their word for it.

I drive pretty hard but not "beating". I tried a tank where I didn't go over 2000 RPM (that was aweful) and it made no difference in my mileage at all. The only difference was the tranny flush which gave me another 1 MPG on average.

I don't have any mods but have been thinking about a chip if it would make a difference. I'm not looking for V6 mileage I just want to be on par with what the other V8s are getting. I've heard so many people here getting 17 MPG in this truck - I could only get that with the engine off .