Intermittent CEL

[HJohnson]

Guys, I have a 02 F250 7.3..completely stock, w 234k.

When Im pulling a long hill while towing (not much, only ~ 7500 lbs) where my foot is in it, after ~ a min the Check Engine Light comes on. After I crest the hill and settle back into cruise mode, the light will go off on its own. This happens on every long hill.

What does this mean? is it warning of something? The light doesn't stay on long enough to get a reader on it, and the truck doesn't seem to run any differently.

TIA

 

[JRJ04]

do you have any gauges on it?

My guess is, you are over-boosting and it is throwing a code. Nothing to worry about, but you may want to consider an air intake and larger exhaust to let it breathe better. Before that, I would get a set of gauges so you can see how hot your EGT's are getting and what kind of boost you are making.

 

[DaveBen]

To find out why your CEL is coming on, you will need to get your truck scanned. This will give you the codes in relation to why it is coming on. Everything else is just guessing.

Dave

 

[BIG JOE]

As long as the CEL goes out after the long pull(s), yer okay. I'd betcha it's caused by [Sustained].. at, or near.. Max boost pressure levels. (16 to 18 psi)

The fix would be (I'm assuming you don't have any, by saying.. Completely Stock ?).. Boost & EGT gauges. You would learn to drive & pull by them, by watching RPMs and Gear selection.. in relation to EGT's & Boost.

Upgrading the Intake & Exhaust a bit would help too, cuz... Stock, these PSD's are kinda "Pinched Off", for doing any Work.. at all.

Jus my .03

Joe

 

[JLDickmon]

As long as the CEL goes out after the long pull(s), yer okay. I'd betcha it's caused by [Sustained].. at, or near.. Max boost pressure levels. (16 to 18 psi)

The fix would be (I'm assuming you don't have any, by saying.. Completely Stock ?).. Boost & EGT gauges. You would learn to drive & pull by them, by watching RPMs and Gear selection.. in relation to EGT's & Boost.

Upgrading the Intake & Exhaust a bit would help too, cuz... Stock, these PSD's are kinda "Pinched Off", for doing any Work.. at all.

Jus my .03

Joe

or injector control pressure low, ie., the HPOP not keeping up.. the truck does have a lot of miles on it..

cheap way to "fix" would be do like Big Joe says... get gauges and learn to drive by them...

 

[HJohnson]

yes, the truck is as Henry made it.

Agreed on the gauges, I will get them soon. I figure it is boost or EGT-related, but I wont know till I see it.

Thanks for the responses!