HELP! Check Engine Light On

[NeverSatisfied]

Well, started my truck up today in Portland, Oregon and the check engine light came on (didn't come on during my trip into work in the morning). I changed the oil/oil filter/fuel filter about 2 weeks ago but was gone on a trip for a week. Is there a way to check for codes without a reader?



Also, any suggestions on things to check before I take it to the dealer? Truck has about 26k miles, only add-on are gauges (I know, wimpy)...

 

[DPKetchum]

Fill out your sig. and profile so we know what you drive.

 

[Toolman9304]

I am not sure what year that your truck is but on my 04 if you cycle the key on and off 4 times the codes will display in the odometer window. I am sure you have nothing to worry about

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Well, I guess I am still new at this, sorry. I just edited my signature so not sure if it will show up here but it is a 2006 CTD. Nothing else on it other than gauges...



I tried to cycle the key 3 times without anything but didn't try 4.

 

[JCasper]

Turn the key on, off, on, off, on and leave on. When I say "on" I am talking just to the on, not start position.



It will either show codes in the odometer area if there are any or it will say "done".

 

[NeverSatisfied]

OK, going to try this now. I will be right back with a response.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Great help! It showed P 0514. Any idea what that means?

 

[NeverSatisfied]

I just searched for the code on TDR and found some good information. Looks like I need a flash but I am not all that happy about it because I was at a dealer about 3 months ago and they said that I didn't need another flash.



Any more information on P0514 that anyone has would be great.

 

[rbattelle]

Ah, yes, our old friend Mr. P0514!



That's the battery temp sensor rationality code. For the most part, it means nothing at all.



The code is set if the battery temperature doesn't change over a short period of time (a minute or so).



It usually happens during cold weather, just after you get moving and air begins flowing into the engine compartment.



If it keeps recurring, then the battery temp sensor is probably no good.



But so far every P0514 that I've read about was meerly a "fluke". The light will go out after 5 restarts if the fault doesn't reappear. The code will then clear from memory after 40 consecutive warmup cycles.



I've had it happen to me twice. Both times were just after I got rolling during very cold winter days.



Ryan

 

[NeverSatisfied]

Again, thank-you very much for the information. It is days like this that I am thankful for being part of TDR...