Service Engine Soon

[3ponyshow]

I can't believe I did a search on this and nothing came up. I apologize if this is redundant.

I have an '04 V6 Explorer with 86K miles. The Service Engine Soon light just came on. I have absolutely no performance issues with the vehicle. Is this an easy fix, something Ford preset to get the vehicle in the shop or possibly caused by a number of things.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

 

[esclamada]

it's because you need to check what's the code being returned by check engine light. Auto parts store can provide that service with no charge (borrow the code reader).




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MY MOUNTY
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[Triton8273]

I can't believe I did a search on this and nothing came up. I apologize if this is redundant.

I have an '04 V6 Explorer with 86K miles. The Service Engine Soon light just came on. I have absolutely no performance issues with the vehicle. Is this an easy fix, something Ford preset to get the vehicle in the shop or possibly caused by a number of things.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

Not to be rude...but wow.......

I really hope this is your first car.

 

[HiImBrian]

Not to be rude...but wow.......

I really hope this is your first car.

Not his first car.... He "races" a mustang. .

Yeah dude. Scan the codes. The guys at Ford can be real SOB's, but they aren't going to screw with you by giving you a false light like that.

 

[3ponyshow]

it's because you need to check what's the code being returned by check engine light. Auto parts store can provide that service with no charge (borrow the code reader).

Thanks! That's all I needed. Simple question; simple answer.

Not to be rude...but wow.......

I really hope this is your first car.

Actually, yea, if it isn't obvious enough, that's pretty rude. Just goes to show we all have areas in need of improvement. I'll work on vehicle maintenance and you can work on basic social skills.

Not his first car.... He "races" a mustang.

Rarely, but true enough, I suppose. However, I don't "tune" it.

Yeah dude. Scan the codes. The guys at Ford can be real SOB's, but they aren't going to screw with you by giving you a false light like that.

Okay, thanks. I've heard for years that all computers were preset to do this at some point (forced maintenance?) but never really knew if it was true or not. I didn't want to go to Ford and have them tell me that all kinds of things are wrong with it. I'm trying to learn how to address these things myself. I appreciate the help.

 

[Yadkin]

I can't believe I did a search on this and nothing came up. I apologize if this is redundant.

I have an '04 V6 Explorer with 86K miles. The Service Engine Soon light just came on. I have absolutely no performance issues with the vehicle. Is this an easy fix, something Ford preset to get the vehicle in the shop or possibly caused by a number of things.

Thanks in advance for any advise.

You can get an OBD2 code reader on the internet for less than 30 dollars. All cars from '86 on up use the BD2 system. I have one that plugs into my laptop via usb and my son bought one that uses his smart phone via blue tooth.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

You can get an OBD2 code reader on the internet for less than 30 dollars. All cars from '86 on up use the BD2 system. I have one that plugs into my laptop via usb and my son bought one that uses his smart phone via blue tooth.

1996+ are required to have OBDII...I think you had a typo.

 

[Triton8273]

my son bought one that uses his smart phone via blue tooth.

Torque app for android?

 

[Joe Dirt]

If you're going to be keeping your Ex for a little while, just get a code reader- it'll be valuable to have at your disposal...

 

[3ponyshow]

If you're going to be keeping your Ex for a little while, just get a code reader- it'll be valuable to have at your disposal...

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Yea, the truck has always been solid and I'd like to keep it and become more proactive in learning how to do my own repairs since Ford charges $700 regardless of what it is. I'll pick up a code reader.

Thanks again!

 

[Triton8273]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Yea, the truck has always been solid and I'd like to keep it and become more proactive in learning how to do my own repairs since Ford charges $700 regardless of what it is. I'll pick up a code reader.

Thanks again!

If you have an android phone do yourself a huge favor and buy the $20 adapter and the $5 app.

Reads codes and a lot more.

 

[Yadkin]

1996+ are required to have OBDII...I think you had a typo.

Not a typo but a brain-o.

 

[Yadkin]

Torque app for android?

No idea what app he has. He's loathe to spend money on apps so it probably came with a purchase code with the reader module.

 

[Yadkin]

Thanks for the feedback, guys. Yea, the truck has always been solid and I'd like to keep it and become more proactive in learning how to do my own repairs since Ford charges $700 regardless of what it is. I'll pick up a code reader.

Thanks again!

They charge so much because the mechanics are trained to read the OBD then replace whatever is causing the code. I call them "remove and replace specialists". Many times something can be adjusted or cleaned and you'll get the same result.

 

[3ponyshow]

f you have an android phone do yourself a huge favor and buy the $20 adapter and the $5 app.

Reads codes and a lot more.

Unfortunately, I don't have an android phone which sounds like the way to go. I'm looking at different model readers and what they offer. I don't want to buy one so cheap it doesn't do what I need, but so expensive it has a bunch of garbage I'll never use.

They charge so much because the mechanics are trained to read the OBD then replace whatever is causing the code. I call them "remove and replace specialists". Many times something can be adjusted or cleaned and you'll get the same result.

Yep. that's what I've been finding out the hard way. I learn slow, but I do learn. I've managed to get myself through the last few repairs just using this site. None of it seems all that difficult once you learn how.

 

[Yadkin]

Yep. that's what I've been finding out the hard way. I learn slow, but I do learn. I've managed to get myself through the last few repairs just using this site. None of it seems all that difficult once you learn how.

Education is expensive, but cheaper than ignorance. I maintained my own vehicles for years then gave it up gradually as my income increased and I no longer drove old cars. I took up the hobby again since my kids have my old cars and the economy tanked.

I had idle problems on my son's 04 Exploder and the dealer simply replaced the throttle body, charging me over $500. It happened again on my daughter's 05 Mustang, same engine, and I looked it up on a forum and solved the problem in 15 minutes with what I had on my shelf.

 

[3ponyshow]

Education is expensive, but cheaper than ignorance. I maintained my own vehicles for years then gave it up gradually as my income increased and I no longer drove old cars. I took up the hobby again since my kids have my old cars and the economy tanked.

My situation now is very similar except without the previous experience. In better times, I always had this stuff taken care of. Now, the economy dictates it's wiser to help ones self when possible and I also have kids that I'm trying to teach how to help themselves. They don't have to like it, but it's in their interest to learn it. At least they're getting the opportunity.

 

[Joe Dirt]

I have THIS one, search sellers- I got mine with the same included stuff for $24.00 shipped last summer.

 

[3ponyshow]

I have THIS one, search sellers- I got mine with the same included stuff for $24.00 shipped last summer.

From what I've been able to find, that's a really good price. Most decent basic models I'm finding go for about $50 + shipping, which is still okay if it's going to save me that much the first time I use it.