CEL goes on, CEL goes off, CEL goes on...

[shoguy311]

since last november i my CEL turned on 3 times. in november i got them run at the local stealership and i got a 543 fuel pump relay circut and a front bank running lean(forgot the number). the car ran just fine, i just got worried as this was the first time i saw the CEL.

Then in april i started her up after work and a block down the road the CEL came on and it was running pretty rough. a block later it went out and has run perfect ever since.

Well it came back on today after i drove about 3 blocks and turned off again after 2 more blocks and now im just ???

since november i have put in the motorcraft plugs and changed the fuel filter. the car has 112k on it with a new crank position sensor, WB, and TB, at 100k. she gets GTX oil and the 400 motorcraft filter every 2k miles. im just wondering what is going on here.

 

[ohioshodude]

without knowing any recent codes i'd vote for 332 egr. usually a MIL on/off condition is the egr ports in the intake being plugged. take off the intake tube from the MAF to the TB and then open the TB and see if you can see if the ports are cloged. may not be the problem but its worth a look.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Read your codes. That's what the CEL is there for. There are links to sites with instructions in my sig that will show you how to DIY with just a short piece of wire. No need for fancy code reading computers or to bring it to the dealer.

 

[Yamaha V6]

O2 Sensor is my vote, if it comes on & then goes off repeatedly while driving.

But the guys are right - grab yourself one of those wicked expensive SHO Code Diagnostic Tools (A Paperclip), go to one of the many SHO sites out there that have the procedure on how to do the code retrieval and the corresponding code number cross reference (www.shotimes.com), and have at it.

If it is EGR related (code 332) bear in mind it may not be a mechanical failure - it may be crud trapped in the passages in the intake manifold rather than a failed EGR valve.

 

[91 SHOplus]

But the guys are right - grab yourself one of those wicked expensive SHO Code Diagnostic Tools (A Paperclip), go to one of the many SHO sites out there that have the procedure on how to do the code retrieval and the corresponding code number cross reference (www.shotimes.com), and have at it.

Pfft, you can always tell a New Englander when they say something is "wicked".

However, all teasing aside, The guys are right. Mr. A has the link in his sig, as do other members here to pull your codes with a simple paper clip.

Time to get your hands dirty, Bud!

 

[HopefulSHO]

You stated you found a code for a front bank lean condition but never mentioned changing your O2's - so I'm putting my money on oxygen sensors. Mine does the same thing. Time to check your codes!

 

[SolidState]

I third (or forth, or fifth) the o2s....the car will throw a 542 or 543 if there is a bad o2...

 

[shoguy311]

if its the O2 sensors again i am going to be pretty angry. we have had it since 1995 and have had 3 or 4 different sets of O2's in there. i would have to get out the receipt book to see when the last time was.

i guess ill go out with a paper clip and let you know what i come back with. the CEL doesnt have to be on does it? it will give me the codes that are stored in the memory right?

 

[HopefulSHO]

i guess ill go out with a paper clip and let you know what i come back with. the CEL doesnt have to be on does it? it will give me the codes that are stored in the memory right?

Yep it'll give you all the in-memory codes too.

 

[shoguy311]

alright, after i looked at my receipt book, the EGR valve and O2 sensors were all changed at 88k

if its one of those im going to be not happy.