check engine light on

[newtofords]

Hello,
I have just joined. I need some info about my Sport which is a 2000 or maybe a 2001. I got it in Oct. 2009. My mechenic says it is a 2000 but it has been registered as a 2001. Any way..... and here it goes...that stupid check engine light is on.
I do not have a ton of cash on hand , but thought, after talking to different people, I would have my mechanic change my fuel pressure regulator. It seems to be a reasonable thing to do. I would hate to have the fuel pump changed because I had that done in a van I used to own ( it was in the gas tank ) and it cost 500.00. I had no choice but to fix that.
Is there anything else I could do before taking it to the Ford garage and put on the computer to see whats up.
Any advice will be helpful.
Thanks
L

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Find out what the code numbers are.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Yep- take it to AutoZone, Advance, etc.- they will read codes for free. Then before buying or replacing anything, post the codes here and we can try to help...

Also- if your truck looks like this it is a 2001:

If it looks like this, it is a 2000:

 

[newtofords]

Thanks

Thanks so much for the info!!!!! My truck looks just like the Red one ---perfect replica ---same color same grill. It is pretty, isn't it!
Thanks for that -- it makes it easier when getting parts. I guess the problem was when my mechanic looked at the date on the inside of the door -- the month it was made ---he said it actully was a 2000.
Any way---he may have done the code thing to it when I was at the garage. I will ask him. He got the light to go off---thought it was something to do with the gas cap- but said if it comes back on I would have to go to the dealer and hook it up to a machine to see whats up with it. Well it came back on a day after I got a tank of gas.
I will ask Auto Zone what the code is and go from there.
You guys are a great help
L

 

[newtofords]

Thanks for the information---I went to Auto Zone and they hooked up the little gadget and one of the things it could be was the gas cap so I replaced that. Now I have to take it back to my machanic and get the light turned off again to see if that was the problem. Have been busy at work so this is as far as I got.

 

[newtofords]

I just watched JOE DIRT's video on the code reading and I do not think that Auto Zone did all that--- especially the part when you clear the codes. My truck needs the code reader to clean the codes since it is a 2001. I will go back to the store and see if they did that.
It sounded like if you don't clear the codes you may have trouble the next time you read the codes?

 

[newtofords]

I will post the codes later---they are out in the truck

 

[BobWiersema]

If you fixed the problem the codes will eventually clear itself. It could take up to 1000 engine cycles. Or you could disconnect the battery for 5 minutes. That should reset it. Go back to Auto Zone and ask him to clear it. There is no advantage over using a scan tool to clear the codes. Disconnecting the battery does the same thing. All saved emissions data will be lost.

Bob

 

[newtofords]

Well the light is off--think it was the gas cap. Hope it stays off.
Yesterday I had to get a new battery --he said he thought it was the orginal battery. That was o.k. This truck only has 70000 miles on it, but I seem to have one problem after another with it--- now the tail gate will not open. I posted this problem in one thread where they are talking about the front and rear regular doors not working but I could not find one about the tail gate not working.
The mechanic said to get a new handle because he would probably break it when taking it off to see if that was the problem. Well, they are almost $200.00 to replace--a little salty--especially if there is another way to take off the inside panels to see if it is a spring or bar like in the other doors. I will be calling another mechanic I know , to ask if he knows anything about this. All suggestion is welcome!
Thanks for helping me.

 

[BobWiersema]

Nine years from a battery. Not bad.

 

[newtofords]

engine chirping noise

I had the serpentine belt replaced and the altenator and the engine was still making a chirping noice. Now it is worse --- went on a 3 hr road trip and started hearing it on my way. Was worried but thought it was just that belt again. I looked it up on this site and learned it maybe the CPS Sychronizer or Camshaft position sensor. I think that one of them is it because the sound is getting worse. So back to the mechanic. I have been putting money into my Explorer about every other month or so. I guess having this vehical beats having a car or truck payment.

Also I smelled sulfur in the truck on my road trip --- think it is the 4 yr old battery!!!???

Back in 2011 my son fixed my tail gate in about 15 minutes. A small piece of broken plastic was the culprit. Not sure what that was.
I never did anything else about the check engine light being on. It does not seem to make any difference with it on. So on it stays!

 

[newtofords]

Hi, Just returning after a long time off this site. I still have my 2001 Ford Explorer Sport. ( by the way, I am not sure if the word TRAC is added on to my type of Ford) I have been repairing it as needed. It actually is a good vehicle and I do like it but wish I had 4 doors. I would be easier to get grand kids and my dog in and out.
I have replaced the drivers door actuator a year or so ago and now the passenger side needs one. My son is really a good Mr. Fix Anything so he replaced the first one. Hope he will find time for this one to be done. But I can not ask him to do everything for me so......
I made an appointment for a tune up. Not really having any real problems with the engine except it does not want to idle sometimes. My mechanic said approx. $300.00.
Does this seem right? Need to buy plugs and wires, fillers and not sure what else plus, of course, labor. I have never tuned it up in 5 or 6 years!!! As you can see I am a women with out any mechanic skills. I trust my new mechanic and ask him if I need to to certain things like, this tune up. Any suggestions?
Thanks

P.S. I am not really sure I am posting questions in the right spot!
Lynn

 

[Turdle]

Hi Lynn.
I moved this thread to the stock 1995-2001 sub forum for more views and hopefully more answers to your questions.

 

[Bobmbx]

My son is really a good Mr. Fix Anything so he replaced the first one. Hope he will find time for this one to be done. But I can not ask him to do everything for me

Yes you can. That's what sons are for. As for the idle, ask your son to clean the IAC (Idle Air Control) valve before you spend a dime trying to fix it.

 

[koda2000]

FYI. Autozone (or other parts stores) are not allowed to reset/clear check engine lights. If they do they can be fined $25,000. You can do it yourself by just disconnecting your battery for about 10 mins, but clearing the code does nothing. If you have a problem it will just come back on. If the problem is corrected, the light will eventually go off by itself.

 

[chefduane]

Thanks for the information---I went to Auto Zone and they hooked up the little gadget and one of the things it could be was the gas cap so I replaced that. Now I have to take it back to my machanic and get the light turned off again to see if that was the problem. Have been busy at work so this is as far as I got.

Get an UltraGauge. www.ultra-gauge.com Then you can read and reset codes anytime you want. Plus read about a bazillion other OBDII parameters.