Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 06-01-2010, 08:39 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
GreyDawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Hi --

Sorry for this basic question, but I want a bit of knowledge before I head for the mechanic -- you know, so I don't look like a total turnip and can make some intelligent (or at least not clueless) decisions about repair, don't repair, etc. I'm currently in NJ, with another 2,000 miles to drive as I meander back to Austin.

Early Thursday morning, about 15 miles into the day's drive in VA, the little engine symbol lit up, amber and flashing. I pulled over, turned off the engine, checked the owner's manual which wasn't particularly informative (said it might indicate a problem with the emissions system, and to get it looked at when convenient). Hmmm. Started up the engine, and the light was off. (There was half a tank of gas, by the way). I drove about 300 miles with no further issues.

I already have an appointment to have the oil changed at a garage recommended by the friends I'm visiting here. So, I'll tell them about the engine light and have them check into it.

The van a 2006 Ford E350 5.4L V8 with 51,000 miles, which I bought last August at 39,000 miles. This is the first engine light I've seen.

No big deal? Or a potentially big deal?

Thanks!

__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
GreyDawg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 08:46 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Roonie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: PNW WA
Posts: 618
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

I know that has happened with my 04 Suburban and it has always been bad gas. I filled up with some gas that I had tested and it turned out to have a high amount of water in it. It made the engine light flash and turn on periodically. Once I was done with the tank of fuel the engine light went away. It also made the engine idle horribly and made the car shutter slightly at times. No ill effects since then and that happened over the winter. It also happened one time previously a few years back but went away with a new tank of gas.

I would suggest you fill up with fresh gas and see if it goes away for good.
Roonie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 09:22 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 199
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Mechanics can read a code identifying somewhat the problem. However mine was a air leak in the fuel system. The first thing to do is to check/replace your gas cap. If you have the 46 g tank it could be a leak in the filler -to-tank area. Best- RD
dowgars is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 09:34 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
jage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Parker, CO
Posts: 7,643
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Autozone will read an engine light for free. I'd say blinking and going away is not a big issue. Also check that your gas cap is sealed.
__________________
it was good to be back
jage is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 10:36 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 582
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Ditto the Autozone tip. The code (and what it means) is the information you are looking for before talking to anyone that is in the business of charging you money to look at your van.
__________________
Current: 2014 15 Passenger V8
Former: 2009 SMB 4x4 6.0
TwoVans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 01:56 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

You might look ijto a Scangauge so you can read your own codes. That was the original reason I got one - and now I find the other features so useful that I wouldn't be without it. And you won'tn have to guess if that little light was important.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 06:03 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Flashing = Stop driving

It indicates a misfire.

As to why... could be numerous things.... plugged fuel injector, loose coil connector, loose spark plug boot (under the coil).
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 07:49 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
GreyDawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Flashing = Stop driving

It indicates a misfire.

As to why... could be numerous things.... plugged fuel injector, loose coil connector, loose spark plug boot (under the coil).
"Stop driving." Gee, ya'd think that's the sort of thing they could put in the owner's manual!

BTW, on Friday about an hour after the flashing light incident, I pulled into a Ford dealer in MD and asked about the light; they said if the light was amber, it was OK to drive, but if it was red, to stop driving. Again, no mention of colors in the manual. But the operation of the stereo system is explained in great detail...

Thanks, all. Now, slightly armed, I will head to the mechanic tomorrow.
__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
GreyDawg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2010, 02:25 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

Weird. my manual makes mention of the flashing. But it's a 2000.

If you pick up a code scanner, and this ever happens again, you can find out which cylinder is misfiring. You can then unplug that fuel injector connector, and it will stop fueling that cylinder. The reason driving with a misfire is bad is because the unburned fuel will burn in the catalytic converter, damaging it.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-02-2010, 05:04 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
GreyDawg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: No fixed abode
Posts: 347
Re: Check engine light -- amber and flashing.

The code was "misfire on startup." The mechanic checked everything and found nothing wrong; they then found a TSB for the 2006 which says the computer needs to be reflashed. So tomorrow the van goes to Ford for computer reflashing.

(I'm kicking myself because when I stopped by mid-afternoon, they had the doghouse cover off, and I didn't think to have a look in there.)

Since these are mechanics that my friends have great confidence in, I had them do a thorough look-over of everything, since the only "inspection" it has had since I've owned it was the pre-purchase inspection done at a small town Ford dealer. The report: other than the engine reflash, it's in very good shape -- no ticking time bombs that they could find. I like reports like that!
__________________
GreyDawg
2017 T-250 MR 148" 3.7L cargo van. Slowly becoming a campervan...
GreyDawg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

My Van

bfolens

Vantastic

maxx
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:10 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.