Check Guage Light- 2000 Mountaineer

[eyal8r]

When I start the car, the check guage light comes on, and stays on for a few minutes after running. SOMETIMES it'll come on as I'm driving, randomly. How do I figure out what the problem is here?
Thanks

 

[Buffalosports]

Take it to Autozone and tell them that your engine light continues to turn on. They will hook up a computer to your car and then probably give you an OBD code (this is if the check engine light is on when they do the test). The guy might know the meaning of the code. If he doesn't, take it to the following website and this will give you atleast a hint to what is wrong.

http://www.obd-codes.com/

Unless you or you know someone who has an OBD Code reader. Like this one:

http://www.obd-codes.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/84/cat/2

hope this helps, good luck.

 

[eyal8r]

Awesome. I'll do that- didn't know they could do that for you. Very cool- thanks!

 

[Buffalosports]

Awesome. I'll do that- didn't know they could do that for you. Very cool- thanks!

Your welcome. Just remember the light needs to be on when they do the scan.

 

[Buffalosports]

Also I forgot to mention that if you are taking it in for an inspection anytime soon, besure to get a good hour of drive time in before taking it in. In New York, the computer pick up the fact that the engine light has been on recently and will not pass your car.

 

[Turdle]

I think he's referring to the "check gage" light-
this is meant to divert your attention to your gauges-it will illuminate when the fuel tank is near empty and the truck is parked facing downhill, for instance.

Also look closely at the alternator guage, temp guage and oil pressure guages,
do they seem normal?

 

[Buffalosports]

I think he's referring to the "check gage" light-
this is meant to divert your attention to your gauges-it will illuminate when the fuel tank is near empty and the truck is parked facing downhill, for instance.

Also look closely at the alternator guage, temp guage and oil pressure guages,
do they seem normal?

oh wow, i did not even catch that. Good call smith. I just assumed that he meant the CEL. Well you know what they say about ASS U ME. Very sorry.

 

[eyal8r]

Now: Check Gage/Oil Pressure Guage

Well, here's what I noticed tonight. Right when I started the truck, the 'check gage' light was on. Temp and Gas readings were normal. Battery was right in the middle. The OIL pressure was completely rock bottom. I just check the oil 2 hours before, and it was full. I did the automated oil check- says pressure is great (on the computer/console thingy) and had about 77% life in it. Hmmm...

So I started driving, and all of a sudden, the 'Check Gage' light went off, the the oil pressure needle shot up to the middle mark. Then it dropped to the bottom, light came on. It fluctuated back and forth like that couple times really quick- then, just stopped. The light went off, and the needle was in the middle. Soooooo... now I know what the culprit is- what's it mean?

Like I said- just checked the oil, it's up to max, and looks pretty clean for the most part. What would cause the needle to be at rock bottom, ONLY for the first 2 minutes of starting the car? It almost seemed that as the engine revved up to a certain RPM or speed, it started working fine. Any ideas?
Thanks guys!

 

[briwayjones]

You're not having any oil pressure problems. The sender unit for the oil gauge has a corroded connection or is bad or a possible problem with the oil gauge but it's most likely the sender unit. It's a common problem, mine does the same thing.

 

[eyal8r]

is it something that I can fix, or SHOULD fix? How expensive and tough is it to do?
Thanks for the help!

 

[Turdle]

is it something that I can fix, or SHOULD fix? How expensive and tough is it to do?
Thanks for the help!

First-let me welcome you to the forum, you will find everything you need right here.
Now, if you look at the main index page you'll see a list of helpful how to threads-
there is also a very powerful search feature.

here is the one you want-

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210476

 

[eyal8r]

Awesome- this should take care of it!
Thank you!

 

[eyal8r]

ok- quick question on this. Is there any reason to fix this right away? Is this something that NEEDS to be fixed? Or am I ok leaving it as is?
Thanks

 

[briwayjones]

ok- quick question on this. Is there any reason to fix this right away? Is this something that NEEDS to be fixed? Or am I ok leaving it as is?
Thanks

Nope no real need unless you're expecting to loose oil pressure anytime soon which of course is unlikely.

 

[wrigley_1285]

ok- quick question on this. Is there any reason to fix this right away? Is this something that NEEDS to be fixed? Or am I ok leaving it as is?
Thanks

Mine had been doing this for about 4 or 5 months and I haven't had any problems. Other than the gauge doesn't work from time to time.