Community Forums

meant2shop · 09-06-2011, 01:03 AM

We have a 2000 Fleetwood Pace Arrow Vision Model 36B. We bought it in Sept 2010 and it had approx. 28K miles on it at that time. The previous owner told us that the "Check Engine" light would come on after driving the MH for a couple of hours or so. He'd had it looked at and no one could figure out why the light came on. He told us to just disconnect the engine battery for an hour or so, when we're parked, and the Check Engine light would go off when we started the engine again. So we've been doing this for awhile now, including driving it across country after we purchased it. The engine runs fine even when the light comes on and stays on while we're driving the rig.

Any suggestions as to why this light comes on and how can we get it to not come on any more?

Thanks,

Jim and Susan
Oregon
Retired (both) and Korean War vet

Peacekeeper6 · 09-06-2011, 02:49 AM

My old 1987 Honda Accord did that very same thing before I donated it to charity. It has something to do with emissions, and I believe my issue was a bad EGR valve (iirc).

You should take your rig to Autozone, where they can hook their scanner to your OBD port and pull some codes to see what is causing your CEL to light up for free.

ECM747x · 09-06-2011, 10:43 PM

First off you need to get the code or codes read to see what is tripping the light. From your description is sounds like it could be in a couple of things. maybe an o2 sensor, egr, or evap problem. Get your code read and will be able to help you more with this... Just make sure the light is on when you go to have it read.

meant2shop · 09-07-2011, 12:01 AM

Thank you both for the info. I forgot to add that our rig does not have a catalytic converter (none required in previous owner's county in GA and none required in our county in OR).

Would we still need to have the o2 sensor, egr, or the "evap" checked out? Can we eliminate any of the 3, since we don't have a catalytic converter?

Presently, hubbie just disconnects the engine battery for about 5 minutes or so, reconnects, and the engine light stays off for awhile (like for 100 miles or so).

Thanks

ECM747x · 09-07-2011, 04:16 PM

You will still have an o2 sensor on each bank after the exhaust manifolds. These 02 sensors tell the computer how to adjust the fuel trim on your engine. You should have an egr system as well as an evap. Just don't go and take it somewhere without knowing what code it is throwing out. As was mentioned, you can stop by a parts place and they can read it for you. Just make sure you get the number of the code and post it on here. Will help in Troubleshooting your problem.
Without knowing what the code is, one cant tell you for sure what is wrong. The code only points you in a direction to go. There can be several other parts involved in the system that is faulting.

Pirate · 09-07-2011, 05:34 PM

Stop guessing and stop disconnecting the battery. Go buy a code reading and find out what the code is. Until you do that, there is nothing else to discuss.

Wanabee FTer · 09-07-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meant2shop

Would we still need to have the o2 sensor, egr, or the "evap" checked out? Can we eliminate any of the 3, since we don't have a catalytic converter?

I would highly recommend not to disconnect any OBDII sensors or systems. The PCM (power train control module) is an on board computer designed to help the engine run at maximum efficiency. When it is operating properly it will monitor many different engine/emissions system operations. If it detects a problem it will set a check engine light and record a fault code to help diagnose the problem. A properly operating OBDII system can be very helpful in avoiding serious mechanical problems later on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by meant2shop

Presently, hubbie just disconnects the engine battery for about 5 minutes or so, reconnects, and the engine light stays off for awhile (like for 100 miles or so).

Thanks

The only thing this is doing is clearing and resetting the code from the PCM.
It is not temporally "fixing" the problem. It can take up to 100 miles to reset the light because the system monitors all operations for a set time then it will set the CE light. When you have someone retrieve the code, make sure the light is currently on.
Many of the larger auto parts stores will retrieve codes for free in hopes you will buy repair parts from them. The diagnostic connector should be located on the lower part of the steering column under the dash.
Hope this helps.

Schoolsout2 · 09-07-2011, 06:53 PM

I have the same MH and have had this issue. Get the codes pulled so you have an idea of what needs fixed. You may find you get better gas milage and performance. O2 sensor could make it run too rich and waste gas.

Many parts stores will pull the codes for free.

Dunner · 09-07-2011, 07:01 PM

You can get the codes read and reset at most discount auto parts stores. Code readers are cheap. Get one.

Ford OBD-II Trouble Codes

tderonne · 09-07-2011, 07:05 PM

It is SUPPOSED to have a catalyst. It's illegal in ANY state to remove it. Your's might not check it, but that doesn't make it legal.

Missing it won't light the check engine light though. As others have said, check the codes, and work from there.

Dunner · 09-07-2011, 07:14 PM

I take it there is no way to read trouble codes on a V-10 without a code reader? What? Is this Fords "Better Idea"?

Wanabee FTer · 09-07-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tderonne

It is SUPPOSED to have a catalyst. It's illegal in ANY state to remove it. Your's might not check it, but that doesn't make it legal.

Missing it won't light the check engine light though. As others have said, check the codes, and work from there.

This has been discussed before. Ford Motor Co got a pass from the EPA on equipping early F53's with a catalyst system, I believe up to around 2003 model year. All OBDII vehicles built after 1997 model year were supposed to have a right and left bank O2 sensor, catalyst and 1 down stream sensor. Some small fines were paid to the government so Ford did not have to equip F53 heavy duty chassis with the catalyst and down stream sensor.
Just politics as usual between big business and government.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunner

I take it there is no way to read trouble codes on a V-10 without a code reader? What? Is this Fords "Better Idea"?

Early pre 1998 OBD I systems can be read by crossing two wires from the diagnostic connector. I don't know of any auto/truck manufacturer that allows for OBDII trouble codes to be read without a code reader.

Dunner · 09-07-2011, 07:32 PM

I think some(Dodge) still can be read with a on/off key sequence.

JimM68 · 09-07-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dunner

I think some(Dodge) still can be read with a on/off key sequence.

if "Some" is the dodge in your sig (1994) that is odb1, a totally different animal.

Locate the diagnostic plug. It's on the steering column under the dash, and often hard to see and hard to reach.
Someone reading it for free for you won't be happy trying to find it for you.

Or just get your own code reader. I have a little one I bought at costco for $30. small lcd display, and a read and erase button and that's it. Plug it in, read the code. Look up the code (google is your friend) and that will give you at least an idea of what is causing the problem.

Until you fix it, leave it plugged in, then all u gotta do is pounch the erase button when the light comes on.