Check Engine Soon light

[Butch Smith]

2003 Expedition 5.4L engine. My check engine soon light is on. Car is running fine. Is this a service reminder? How do I reset it? Thanks

 

[Butch Smith]

Anyone out there?

 

[rverdi]

It's not a service reminder, it's a notification that your computer is detecting a problem. Very often it is a gas cap that was put on improperly, so check that first. If not, a technician is going to have to pull down the codes to determine what's causing it. You may be able to reset it by pulling the negative battery cable for 30+ seconds but if the cause still exists, it's going to come back on.

 

[ELVATO]

Take it to Advanced, Autozone, etc and they should read it for free. Post the code on here.

 

[Butch Smith]

Must have been some bad gas. Filled up, started and stopped a few times and no more light. Thanks for the advice.

 

[rverdi]

More likely the gas cap was put on improperly at the last fill up. This time they put it on right and a few starts cleared the computer. Glad it worked out without a repair.

 

[ELVATO]

I would still stop by and try to get the code read. I think the computer keeps a log of codes, even after they've turned off. I'd check just to be sure.

 

[Butch Smith]

The light just came back on. Went and had it read P0136. Does anyone know what that means?
Thanks

 

[ELVATO]

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0136

How many miles are on your truck? Might be time to replace the O2 sensor.

 

[Butch Smith]

149000 miles

 

[Butch Smith]

http://www.obd-codes.com/p0136

How many miles are on your truck? Might be time to replace the O2 sensor.

Thanks for the info.

 

[367KIX]

BTW, my neighbor, the Ford mechanic, calls the check engine light the "Check Money Light". It usually means there is a sensor failure, as previous posts mentioned, but its easy money for the mechanics if the owner has no clue on how to check it and fix it themselves. I personally had a nagging Check Money Light due to an O2 sensor that kept failing, but the car still ran great. Fortunately, after about two years, the damn light finally burned out!

 

[bubbadabulldawg]

NYS inspection would fail it and have to get it fixed within 30 days so you can drive legally again after that if you get caught you get a $80 ticket and still have to fix the problem!

 

[Christa Lablanc]

Hey, I've got a 2001 I don't know how many miles, I'm Female who hasn't gotta clue, filled up yesterday, light turned on today, check the seal on the gas cap, and re tightened it. Light stayed on. Took to Autozone to read code, checked gas cap, then tech said there was not power, so no code could be read. He asked if the cigarette lighter worked, there's 2 and only 1 works. He suggested the bad fuse for the lighter could be sending this service engine light.
https://fusesdiagram.com/ford/fuse-box-diagram-ford-expedition.html
According to this diagram the lighter is fuse 3. Am I looking in the right place? or should I look at the DTR, Fuse 5?

 

[Dorzak]

After reseating the gas cap it may take a few times driving and shutting off for it to turn off. Since it happened right after a full up, probably was just loose or seated incorrectly.

Hey, I've got a 2001 I don't know how many miles, I'm Female who hasn't gotta clue, filled up yesterday, light turned on today, check the seal on the gas cap, and re tightened it. Light stayed on. Took to Autozone to read code, checked gas cap, then tech said there was not power, so no code could be read. He asked if the cigarette lighter worked, there's 2 and only 1 works. He suggested the bad fuse for the lighter could be sending this service engine light.
https://fusesdiagram.com/ford/fuse-box-diagram-ford-expedition.html
According to this diagram the lighter is fuse 3. Am I looking in the right place? or should I look at the DTR, Fuse 5?