YACT: 2001 Ford Sport Trac - Check engine light

[CPA]

My wife's 2001 Ford Sport Trac's check engine light came on yesterday. And it was solid light this morning on the way to the bus stop. I drove it this morning and nothing seemed to feel different - it handled well, engine responded well, all other guages were in normal range. But one of my staff suggested that it could be nothing more than the light is indicating it is time for an oil change. Does anyone know if this Ford model and year has that diagnostic capabilities? And if so, how will the sensor be reset if an oil change is performed?

 

[radioouman]

I don't think that the check engine light would be for an oil change.
I've seen two cars where a Change Oil Soon light comes on, but that is set with a reset button under the hood.

Anyway, it could be something as simple as a loose gas cap. Some cars will set a code for that.

How many miles does it have?

 

OBD II

This is a common occurrence because of the duel O2 sensors, this should be covered under warranty.

Try cold starting the vehicle again, if the light does not stay on, it's the O2 sensors, I run into this problem almost on a daily basis.
Have Ford pull the codes.

If it turns out that it is emissions related, they are required by law to fix it for free.

 

[radioouman]

Originally posted by: Roger
OBD II

This is a common occurance because of the duel O2 sensors, this should be covered under warranty.

Try cold starting the vehicle again, if the light does not stay on, it's the O2 sensors, I run into this problem almost on a daily basis.
Have Ford pull the codes.

What kind of mileage does this often occur at, Roger?

 

[Zenmervolt]

I doubt that it's an oil change indicator, that's usually a separate light that says "Maintenance Required", not "Check Engine". What's more likely is that a sensor is either failed or out of whack. It's easy enough for an oxygen sensor (for example) to fail and it not to be noticed in driveability.

ZV

 

[CPA]

21,000 miles and coincidentally this make has a seperate Fuel door light.

I did check the oil last night and it was within range, though on the low end of the range.

Also, when we first got this vehicle we had to have it serviced within a few weeks because of a faulty check engine light module. I wonder if that's the problem again.

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Roger
OBD II

This is a common occurrence because of the duel O2 sensors, this should be covered under warranty.

Try cold starting the vehicle again, if the light does not stay on, it's the O2 sensors, I run into this problem almost on a daily basis.
Have Ford pull the codes.

If it turns out that it is emissions related, they are required by law to fix it for free.

the light stays on.

 

What kind of mileage does this often occur at, Roger?

I've seen cars with 300 miles on them pull trouble codes for the o2 sensors, others I have seen with 50,000.
If there is a big enough discrepency between the front o2 sensor and the rear o2 sensor, the light will come on and a code will trip.
IMHO, OBDII is too sensitive when it comes to o2 parameters.

21,000 miles and coincidentally this make has a seperate Fuel door light.

I did check the oil last night and it was within range, though on the low end of the range.

Also, when we first got this vehicle we had to have it serviced within a few weeks because of a faulty check engine light module. I wonder if that's the problem again.

Bring it back to Ford and bitch.

Time to go back to work

If you still have problems after Ford looks at it, PM me.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: CPA
My wife's 2001 Ford Sport Trac's check engine light came on yesterday. And it was solid light this morning on the way to the bus stop. I drove it this morning and nothing seemed to feel different - it handled well, engine responded well, all other guages were in normal range. But one of my staff suggested that it could be nothing more than the light is indicating it is time for an oil change. Does anyone know if this Ford model and year has that diagnostic capabilities? And if so, how will the sensor be reset if an oil change is performed?

CPA - I drive a 2002 'TRAC but I haven't seen that problem. Here's a link to a pretty decent board SportTrac. I go there mostly just to read. Lots of good info there.

Dave

 

[Thegonagle]

It's not suggesting an oil change.

First thing to check is the fuel cap. Make sure it's tight.

If doesn't shut itself off in a few days, take it to the dealer.

If you're actually due for an oil change (3000-4000 miles), take it to the dealer and they will tell you why the light came on.

The newer lights (OBD-II) are too sensitive and are set to turn on if the engine has one measly little misfire like twice in the same week. Fortunately, minor problems that don't recur cause to light to go off in a few days. If that happens, forget about it.

 

[spacelord]

yes check the fuel cap. If loose, the light goes on because gas pressure is low or something.
I got screwed with that one about a year ago. I took it in to dealer, they charged me just to diagnose and tell me that. I hate dealers.

don't places like Autozone have the equipment to check your cars computer and diagnose these lights? I think they do it for free, hoping to sell you something you may need.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: spacelord
yes check the fuel cap. If loose, the light goes on because gas pressure is low or something.
I got screwed with that one about a year ago. I took it in to dealer, they charged me just to diagnose and tell me that. I hate dealers.

don't places like Autozone have the equipment to check your cars computer and diagnose these lights? I think they do it for free, hoping to sell you something you may need.

21,000 miles and coincidentally this make has a seperate Fuel door light

 

[spacelord]

well, fuel door, may be seperate from the cap. I think my cap says it needs to click at least 3 times to be tight.

 

[iamwiz82]

its the same light in Sport Tracs

 

[JSClark]

Originally posted by: CPA
My wife's 2001 Ford Sport Trac's check engine light came on yesterday. And it was solid light this morning on the way to the bus stop. I drove it this morning and nothing seemed to feel different - it handled well, engine responded well, all other guages were in normal range. But one of my staff suggested that it could be nothing more than the light is indicating it is time for an oil change. Does anyone know if this Ford model and year has that diagnostic capabilities? And if so, how will the sensor be reset if an oil change is performed?

Loose gas cap, gunked up fuel line, alternator/starter/battery problems... I suggest you get your vehicle to a mechanic soon...

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: spacelord
yes check the fuel cap. If loose, the light goes on because gas pressure is low or something.

The fuel tank and fuel system are a sealed system. the fuel vapors are no longer fented to the atmosphere. to cut down on emissions the tank vapors are pulled out of the tank. if the cap is loose or not on, either the check engine light, or the seperate fuel door light will come on.

emissions warranties are currently 8 years. (iirc) so if something emissions related fails in 8 years, the manufacturer must fix it.

 

[CPA]

To be safe I will check the fuel cap when I get off work today.