Ford V10 "service engine soon" light on at 1300 miles?

[BHoraist]

This is our first extended trip in the 2016 Thor Challenger 36 TL. The service engine soon emblem came on at about 1300 miles. I drove another 100 miles or so past that mark to an RV park for the night. All fluid levels are fine and the engine is performing without any issues. A quick search came with a bunch of hits on this issue but no real problems identified. Anyone have experience with this? I have another 1700 miles before this trip is done.

[Oneilkeys]

If you have a ScanGuage you can query the engine computer and it will give you the code of why the light came on. You can then google the code and there are several sites that will tell you what it involves. In most new engines it is no more than an oxygen sensor (or some similar sensor) that went off. The ScanGuage will let you zero out the code, which will turn off the engine light. If it happens multiple times, of course, you should take it to the dealer. I had the same thing happen in my 2016 Axis with 1500 miles on it. I zeroed out the code and it has not happened again in 500 miles. I'll bet someone in the RV park has a ScanGuage. If not, you could stop at any repair shop and they will query and reset the computer for you and probably charge you $100. I don't know if AAA would do that or if the FORD road side assistance might do it for you - but it might be worth a try.

[Ed-Helen pns]

You can pull into any AutoZone, NAPA, ETC and they will scan it and give you a code for free.

Just be careful that you have a place to turn around especially if your have a TOAD.

[JamieGeek]

Note that the check engine light only lights up for emissions related failures.

Check that your gas cap is on tight.

[BHoraist]

Thanks all. I called Ford and they found a local dealer in Fayetteville that would check it for me in the morning. The Roadside assistance doesn't help out with this type of issue. Should be an adventure...wife will have the Lab and cat in her Cherokee while I take the coach to dealer. Hopefully it's a quick fix and we'll continue on to Columbia, SC. I'll definitely be getting one of those code scan devices!

[Vinster30]

Most likely the gas cap is not on tight or dirty. You have too few miles for the O2 sensor.

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by Vinster30

Most likely the gas cap is not on tight or dirty. You have too few miles for the O2 sensor.

Not necessarily. I have had several spurious O2 sensor readings in two different V-10s, both the second day after a fill up. In both cases it only happened once. Those sensors can sometimes be sensitive.

[BHoraist]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

Not necessarily. I have had several spurious O2 sensor readings in two different V-10s, both the second day after a fill up. In both cases it only happened once. Those sensors can sometimes be sensitive.

Mine came on about 100 miles after a fill up. I'll report the results tomorrow.

[Dan9841]

Originally Posted by Oneilkeys

If you have a ScanGuage you can query the engine computer and it will give you the code of why the light came on. You can then google the code and there are several sites that will tell you what it involves. In most new engines it is no more than an oxygen sensor (or some similar sensor) that went off. The ScanGuage will let you zero out the code, which will turn off the engine light. If it happens multiple times, of course, you should take it to the dealer. I had the same thing happen in my 2016 Axis with 1500 miles on it. I zeroed out the code and it has not happened again in 500 miles. I'll bet someone in the RV park has a ScanGuage. If not, you could stop at any repair shop and they will query and reset the computer for you and probably charge you $100. I don't know if AAA would do that or if the FORD road side assistance might do it for you - but it might be worth a try.

When and what location will you be at? I might stop by to introduce myself.

[BHoraist]

Spent a couple of hours at Crown Ford this morning. The code indicated a misfire on #2 cylinder and also a random misfire but all is in order. They updated the PCM software and we were back on the road. After about 200 miles today no more lights so maybe just a hiccup.

[Vinster30]

Glad your back on the road. "Happy Travels"