Service engine soon light

[destroyer1362]

So I haven't been driving my kon much since I need a new fuel pressure regulator and I don't want to wear out the starter. But I do start it up and run it down the street once a week. About two days ago a minute after starting the truck I noticed the service light came on. I killed it for about 5min then restarted and its still on. The next day I started it and it was still on. But then today I started it and it was off. The only difference between today and yesterday is the temp . Yesterday 80 today 52 don't know if it matters. Would the fpr cause the service light to come on or am I looking at another problem?

 

[flatsearcher41]

So I haven't been driving my kon much since I need a new fuel pressure regulator and I don't want to wear out the starter. But I do start it up and run it down the street once a week. About two days ago a minute after starting the truck I noticed the service light came on. I killed it for about 5min then restarted and its still on. The next day I started it and it was still on. But then today I started it and it was off. The only difference between today and yesterday is the temp . Yesterday 80 today 52 don't know if it matters. Would the fpr cause the service light to come on or am I looking at another problem?

sometimes its misreads, take it to your local autozone they will tell you what the problem is.. for free. not sure if theres one near you, but give it a try.

 

[hapyspaz]

sometimes its misreads, take it to your local autozone they will tell you what the problem is.. for free. not sure if theres one near you, but give it a try.

I dont know about telling you what the problem is, but they will tell you what the codes stored on the computer are.

FPR can cause the light to come on due to misfires. Typically when the FPR starts going out it will cause the engine to have a "multiple random misfire"

The light could be for something completely unrelated as well.

 

[destroyer1362]

Thanks, I guess I'll run it up to autozone then, I always thought they charged for some reason.

Are the misfirings caused from too much or too little fuel being sent to the cylinders?

 

[hapyspaz]

Thanks, I guess I'll run it up to autozone then, I always thought they charged for some reason.

Are the misfirings caused from too much or too little fuel being sent to the cylinders?

In short, Yes.

Too much fuel will cause it to misfire, too much air (lack of fuel) will cause it to misfire. This can cause several codes to pop into your computer.

Multiple Random Misfire
System Running Rich
System Running Lean
Oxygen Sensor
Catalyst System
...and so on

If it is the FPR, my personal recommendation is doing an injector swap while you are in there. You can pick up the improved system for around $350 + whatever gaskets you need. The kits comes with a new FPR as well as newer better style injectors. If you were to go to the dealership to fix the issue, this is what they would recommend.

 

[3-lot]

the light could of come on for this reason because of a miss fire off the start, it would of cleared after a couple re starts if the miss fire went away. the computer goes by drive cycles, and once it sees the problem is gone after 2 or 3 cycles it will shut the light off.
so if once it started and it was misfiting then cleared itself out, that would of been enough to send information to the computer that theres no problem.

a check engine light is something to look into but never something to be feared, un less the check engine light is flashing, if it is flashing, this means your are reading a catalyst harming code (miss fire, to lean etc.). If you haveing a flashing light, shut it down and get it towed to a shop. these codes will cause cat problems, or internal problems.

solid check engine light, drive till you get it checked.

 

[destroyer1362]

Sounds good, thanks for all the useful info. One more question: I feel dumb asking this but in replacing the fpr and improved system will I also be replacing that infamous intake manifold gasket?

 

[hapyspaz]

If you want to, its a good time to do so. You will only be required to remove the upper half of the intake, although it would be a good chance to take off the intake and clean it up. It would require a lot more work to do so though.