how to turn off "check engine" light?

[tbomb]

guys, i am a complete moron. i drove from long island back to school (in central pa) today, and i first got gas before i left, and, i dont know what i was thinking, i didnt put the gas cap on all the way; i kinda just stuffed it in there (thats the moron part.) so, i notice my check engine light goes on, which is somewhat troubling at the beginning of a 270 mile drive. the first thing to come to mind is that my gas cap isnt on right. now, once i got on the right way, the light didnt go off.

so, now, how do i turn it off? will resetting the computer do it? or do i need to take it to ford? or can i take it to just any place with ODBII (like my local mechanic)? also, i have a superchip in there. am i going to need to take the chip out if i take it to ford or somewhere else?

thanks guys.

 

[xlt-sport]

tbomb

i had one experience [my '98] with my check engine light coming on for seemingly no reason at all at 78,000 miles.

i took it to the local ford garage and it turns out there is a problem with the lower intake manifold gaskets.

i had the esp extended warranty so it cost me $53.00.

the service manager thinks there might be another re-call for this problem. i think ford is trying to save up a little more money before there's another recall. LOL

it's your truck, but i would have ford check this out.

peter

 

[tbomb]

yeah, ive already had them done a long time ago, along with everything else thats bad on 98's, heh.

 

[Stephen S]

I'd suggest disconneting the battery for a while to reset the computer, then run the truck and see if the light comes back on. I'f is does, go you the dealer or wherever to get the code pulled. If it doesn't, then you're set.

 

[aldive]

I would use a code scanner to (1) see what code it shows and (2) to turn off the CEL.

Good kuck,,,,,,

 

[jwrezz]

Yes! Get and use the code scanner! Best investment in the world!

 

[tbomb]

i dont really wanna go drop a hundred or 2 on a code scanner, just to turn off the light. and, even for future use, a code scanner isnt worth it for me, because most of the problems that cause that light to come are better handled by my mechanic than me.

 

[aldive]

Then get your mechanic to use his code scanner and turn the light off.

Good luck.....

 

[tbomb]

yeah, well, i called my regular mechanic, here at school, and it turns out that his computer equipment has been on the fritz since last week. so then i called ford (i know, i know; big mistake), but i talked to the only cool guy there, who ive dealt with before, and he said he could turn off the light for me, but it would be like $20 (which i dont mind paying for my own stupid mistake), and i asked him about the chip (and he could care less about me having the chip in there), but he said to take it out, just in case, so i guess thats what ill do. he said disconnecting the negative battery cable might do it, but it might not, and since im at school, and i park my truck about 2-3 blocks away in a gravel parking lot, and i have limited tools, i think ill just take it to him instead of playing around with something that isnt a guaranteed fix.

 

[espnfreak]

Tbaum i would just try disconnecting the battery, and if it comes on again, the more than likely something will need to be replaced. thats that part that sucks :-( Mine kept going on and it turned out i had a bad catalytic converter.
-Jason

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by espnfreak
Tbaum i would just try disconnecting the battery, and if it comes on again, the more than likely something will need to be replaced. thats that part that sucks :-( Mine kept going on and it turned out i had a bad catalytic converter.
-Jason

yeah, but i KNOW that nothing is wrong with my truck. it was running perfectly, until i got gas. as soon as i pulled away from the gas pump, the light came on, which made me panic for a sec, then i thought, "duh, gas cap." since i have to reset the computer anyway, when i take out the chip, ill see what happens. the guy at ford said that might take care of it, but it might not, so ill guess ill just have to find out.

 

[Alec]

Tbomb, I really don't think you need to take it in. If you were already going to go through the hassle of taking the chip out, just reset the computer and see if the light comes back on. It takes 30 seconds to disconnect and reconnect the battery cable, then just a few minutes to let the memory bleed and to let idle return to normal. Then if the light comes back on, you know there really might be something wrong and you need to go get the code read.

 

[BUCHVILLEMAN]

my check engine light has been on for 4 years. sometimes itll kick on right after i turn the ex on other times it wait for 30 miles oter times it wont come on for a day or so. i have it checked at the for place and have had everythign form the egr valve to the oxygen sensors to teh fuel pressure regulated. nothing has helped. i have freeflowing exhaust and kkm. sometimes i get 18mpg other weeks i get 12mpg. who knows i keep up the maintenance fairly well i think and i have a code reader. this week my codes are all relatin to "low voltage" yet i have a new battery and had my alternator and starter checked and all was good. i figure it has over 140k and it gets me down the road and up the trail so ill let the light stay on if it wants to be on.

 

[tbomb]

well, i just went for a quick drive, and the light went off go figure. when i got back to park my truck, i turned it off and started it up again, and it didnt come back on. well, i guess now all i have to do is hope that it stays off.

 

[towdriverb]

after 4 staers and srop it will reset if the problem went away

2nd choice bull batt cable for a couple minutes

3 rd choice IT IS A FORD they all come on sooner or later when i installed the indeglo guages i pulled the bulb