The check engine light has come on here lately.
I can reset it by disconnecting the batteries,
but it seems like it'll come back about every
2-3 days....

What's the cheapest thing I can get to read
the codes without having to go to the Stealer?

I would rather have something that runs on
Laptop. I dont really care to spend >$300 on
a "tuner" when all I really want to do is
read the codes so I'll know what to "fix".

(sure wish the Attitude could display codes)

Thanks for any insight,

T.

someone on this forum must have a scan tool, that lives near you?


ANYONE

Is there an Autozone anywhere near?

Is there an Autozone anywhere near?

Sure is... I knew they could do the OBD-2 cars,
but I didn't think they'd do diesel trucks....

Anyone know for sure? (guess I could just
stop in and check eh? ;)) Thanks for the idea!

Small update - now the light doesn't go out
when I disconnect the batteries. Maybe I didn't
wait log enough though (only about 30 seconds)

Thanks for any advice,

T.

It's an '04, out of warranty already?

He's made enough changes I think he'd like to know what's going on before taking it to the stealer...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif


I'm kind of in the same boat except I don't have an SES light. Unless it's a programmer of some sort that will read and erase codes, there doesn't seem to be anyway to get that done on an '04 unless it's a Tech II.


Latest I've seen for code readers from the likes of AutoZone, is '02 and then its only the emission stuff.

He's made enough changes I think he'd like to know what's going on before taking it to the stealer...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

Bing! We have a winner! :)


I'm kind of in the same boat except I don't have an SES light. Unless it's a programmer of some sort that will read and erase codes, there doesn't seem to be anyway to get that done on an '04 unless it's a Tech II.
]Latest I've seen for code readers from the likes of AutoZone, is '02 and then its only the emission stuff.

The AutoZone near me had no problem scanning my '04.
The code is a P0181 Fuel Temp Sensor out of Range.

Great - I didn't even know there was a fuel temp
sensor... Guess I'll have to look it up & see
what it'll take to replace it.

T.

My Auto Zone does them all>>including diesels. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif

Terry,


Conditions for setting P0181- Truck is off for at least 10 hours. At start-up the Fuel Temp (this is return fuel temperature) and the Engine Coolant Temperature are 18 or more degrees different AND the Intake Air Temperature has not decreased by more than 10 degrees after driving for 400 seconds above 15 MPH.


I think that there are some unique situations in some hot weather states (like Texas) that can set this code even when the sensors are working properly. For instance if the night is cool the coolant in the block gets cool and it will stay cool a long time. After the sun comes up and hits the hood, things start to heat up under the hood (do you have a dark colored truck?) like the fuel in the return lines which sits at the top of the engine. When you start it up, the ECM sees the temp difference between the return fuel temp and the engine coolant temp and assumes that one of the sensors is not working properly (which still could be the case). It then looks at the Intake Air Sensor and doesn't see a decrease while you are moving (In other words it is not really cold outside and you didn't have the block heater plugged in) and notices that the intake air temperature and the engine coolant temperature are close to each other...It assumes that the fuel temp sensor is reading wrong and sets the P0181 code.


Just a theory...try clearing the code and parking with the bed facing the morining morning sun.

Do we have another tech here?


If so, that's great. If not, your knowledge of these trucks is very much appreciated and welcome in any case, that was a great explanation of the system and possible cause of the SES light...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif


Welcome to the forum...http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Hug.gif

seen alot of codes like that in the winter months as well, truck gets plugged in and pcm is supposed to recognize block heater is on truck via programming, but for whatever reason they dont always and set those codes.. clear it, like JimmyDel said,and drive it.

Thanks for the tip JimmyDel - I read that exact
same thing out ouf the Helm Manual....

FWIW, I dug out my old 486 laptop that I usually
run diacom on for my ol' '87 Trans Am, then loaded
up the latest software from Alex Peper at
http://www.obd-2.com/#download (I purchased
this s/w about 4 years ago for my wifes '99 Trans Am)
There's a new update for the LB7 Diesel so I downloaded
that too....

Yeah, the Explorer s/w is not real "user friendly"
to use, but it read the code (P0181) and let me
reset it. Looks like it could do alot more, but I
didn't fiddle with it. We'll just have to see how
long it takes before the DTC comes back....

I guess I should admit I'm probably to blame. What
I've been doing is using the block heater to rapidly
warm up the motor(timer kicks it on ~3am) since my
daily commute is only about 12 miles.... Guess I'll
not do this anymore....

thanks guys,

T.

Yup...that is what is setting your code. This code will set if you plug in the block heater when it is too warm (over 10 degrees)...especially if the grille blanket is installed.