What do I do if my Check Engine Light is on?

When the Check Engine light comes on, it means the truck has sensed a problem. So, obviously you should try to find out what the problem is.

Although there may not be any symptoms, you can still damage your Ford truck by continuing to drive without fixing the problem.

When the Service Engine Soon or Check Engine light comes on, you have a few options. You can take your truck to the dealer and open your wallet.

Or, if you live near an AutoZone store, you can go there and they'll read the code for free. Then you can take that code to a site such as http://www.obd-codes.com or the forums here and search on that code. An example of a code is P0171 or P0300.

The site http://www.obd-codes.com is a great site that has some detailed articles on how to fix specific trouble codes.

UPDATE: I found a few more sites that are helpful when the check engine light comes on:

Check Engine Light - Check-Engine-Light.com answers your CEL questions for free. Browse answered questions or ask one today.
Engine Light Help - Engine-Light-Help.com covers all domestic and import vehicle check engine codes. Also features some car repair articles.

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BO
2007-07-07 at 8:51am

Check Engine Light

I have had my 2006 Ford Truck in several times for the Engine light. It still does not shut off. The service department has had this truck 4 times and still cannot figure it out.

How do I get this light to go off.

PortHuronGuy
2008-05-14 at 2:49pm

Autozone stores will read the code for you, but have them print out a copy of the code for you from their computer, it will list the possible causes of the problem. PLEASE don't think that because one of the items on the list is a part that it must be the cause of the light...we see it all the time with O2 codes. People hear the word O2 circuit and buy a new sensor only to have it not rectify their problem. I work at an Autozone and see that a lot. Our computers do not diagnose the problem, only read the codes that are set in your computer.

Phil <justice1965@rogers.com>
2008-12-01 at 11:48am

Service engine soon light

I have an oldy 1997 f150 xcab its service engine soon light has been on for a while now , I had in diagnosed as being the evaperation canister aparantly they are bad for these , My mechanic has said it dosnt really hurt much to continue driveing it as is if you dont mind the light on here in Canada its about a $400.00 fix and im told itl come back on again in about 6 mnths or so as the replacement canisters are worse than the originals, Ill put up with the light .lol
Just one of im sure many possible solutions .
BTW Mine is a v6 standard 5 speed.
Good Luck
Phil

What do I do if my Check Engine Light is on?

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