Got the dreaded "Service Engine Soon" warning light...

[merlin803]

The Service Engine light came on in my 23 Mach 1 (and has stayed on solid) a couple of days ago and I can't believe the available appointment times at some of the dealerships for taking it in (a month+ at the first couple that I tried...).

Anyways, the car seems to be driving normally but I do get alerts in my Ford Pass App every time I start it. Anyways, would there be much benefit in buying a ODB Code reader and getting some more details and possibly clearing the codes to see if they come back or would that likely just be a waste of time?

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[Dapsters]

Do you mean the check engine light or the oil change reminder light?

 

[merlin803]

The check engine light

 

[luca1290]

Anyways, would there be much benefit in buying a ODB Code reader and getting some more details and possibly clearing the codes to see if they come back or would that likely just be a waste of time?

That depends on you and the usage you want to make of the tool. Because the first thing you did was to book the dealer, I guess you are not mechanically inclined.

If you want to improve your skills, it's a good way to reverse engineer things and understand their workings. Otherwise it's a waste of time and money.

 

[Snakebyte]

If you are interested in reading codes only and comparing to discussions on this forum (or other places on the internet), you can get code readers for little money on Amazon. I purchased one off Amazon myself, and it helped save me money and frustration dealing with a dealership, as I have been able to perform simple repairs on my own.

In our area, Advance Auto Parts and Autozone will check codes for free...hoping they can sell you a replacement part of course, but I've never felt pressured to do so.

As far as the deciphering codes, often the interpretation is too general to give a definitive fix. Too general in fact, that even Ford service folks must guess at times. They sometimes guess wrong. As a result you may have paid for a part and service you really didn't need...and still have the problem.

But by getting access to an OBD reader you can search the forum's history using that code, and narrow down the source of your particular issue.

 

[merlin803]

Thanks. I definitely wouldn't be making any engine repairs myself but was at least hoping to maybe narrow down to the specific misfire codes out of curiosity.

I also wasn't sure if something like having bad gas could trigger the warning and who knows, by the time I get an appt, I may go through a tank of gas and could see if I could reset the codes to see if they come back.

 

[MiamiGT350]

Definitely start by checking the error codes. Please report back here with the findings.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

Its a worthy investment to buy a reader. I bought this one and it has worked great, there is other cheaper ones too.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00652G4TS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Call_Me_Bruce]

Get the codes read at autozone or somwhere similar. Do not clear them. Let Ford figure it out in a month.

I had to wait about a month for my car to be checked out for an airbag light.

 

[ORRadtech]

Get the codes read at autozone or somwhere similar. Do not clear them. Let Ford figure it out in a month.

Whether he has them read somewhere or buys a reader himself, I agree, DO NOT clear the codes. Leave them for the Ford tech (or whoever works on the car) so they can have all available information.
As for driving the car with the CEL on, I'd be a bit cautious until I find out exactly what the codes are indicating. A random misfire is one thing, a lean condition is another. And should the light start flashing I would recommend not to drive it like that.

 

[merlin803]

Well, I have another question, has anyone heard of a throttle controller causing a misfire code?

I picked up a scanner on my way home (driving a different car) and when I got home I started the Mach 1 just to make sure the engine light was still on and it was.

I connected the OBD2 scanner and the only code was a PO305 . I DID NOT clear it, I just turned off the car and removed the scanner.

I remembered that I had installed a throttle controller about 7 months ago and thought I should go ahead and remove it before taking it in for any service, so I did.

I started the car one more time and no more service light. I pulled up in the driveway a little farther and turned it off and then back on and still no engine light.

I turned it off and went into the house for about 45 minutes then went back out and started it again - no engine light.

I took it for about a 30 minute drive and no light and it seems to drive normally. Stopped and started again....still no engine light.

So, just a coincidence or could it have been related to the throttle controller (that has been installed for about 7 months without issue)?

 

[Crew4991]

Strange how keeping a car stock (or removing mods) the way engineers designed a vehicle to run makes the car operate perfectly fine without issues.

Word of advice to not deal with the dash lighting up like a Christmas tree:
No touchy touchy for mods - at least until your warranty is expired. Then have fun.
If any dealer tech catches your modifications they will try to deny any claim and attempt to make it your fault for the issues on the car. Don't give yourself that kind of risk.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

Strange how keeping a car stock (or removing mods) the way engineers designed a vehicle to run makes the car operate perfectly fine without issues.

Word of advice to not deal with the dash lighting up like a Christmas tree:
No touchy touchy for mods - at least until your warranty is expired. Then have fun.
If any dealer tech catches your modifications they will try to deny any claim and attempt to make it your fault for the issues on the car. Don't give yourself that kind of risk.

Touchy Touchy mods are one of the reasons we love these cars. lol

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

Well, I have another question, has anyone heard of a throttle controller causing a misfire code?

I picked up a scanner on my way home (driving a different car) and when I got home I started the Mach 1 just to make sure the engine light was still on and it was.

I connected the OBD2 scanner and the only code was a PO305 . I DID NOT clear it, I just turned off the car and removed the scanner.

I remembered that I had installed a throttle controller about 7 months ago and thought I should go ahead and remove it before taking it in for any service, so I did.

I started the car one more time and no more service light. I pulled up in the driveway a little farther and turned it off and then back on and still no engine light.

I turned it off and went into the house for about 45 minutes then went back out and started it again - no engine light.

I took it for about a 30 minute drive and no light and it seems to drive normally. Stopped and started again....still no engine light.

So, just a coincidence or could it have been related to the throttle controller (that has been installed for about 7 months without issue)?

I don't think it was the controller. If I am not mistaken that's a misfire code, probably just a random error or bad fuel or who knows with the tons of sensors in these cars. You had a random misfire that triggered it but it went away looks like. Plus you had no misfire symptoms so I wouldn't worry about it, just keep on eye on it.

 

[Crew4991]

Touchy Touchy mods are one of the reasons we love these cars. lol

LOL good point but still risky, Ford will sniff around your car looking for any kind of reason to not pay on a warranty claim.

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