So I just bought a 1999 Ford F350 Dually and it has a check engine light on. The guy I bought it from says that it is chipped and it has a K&N filter and that is the reason the check engine light is on. How can I check if it has a chip without pulling the computer or dash or...wherever the chip is apart? Or what other things could the light be for? It has an exhaust leak, does that cause the light to go off? Other then the exhaust leak the thing runs fine and has plenty of power.

Thanks guys

-Darren

 

There are alot of things that can set off a SES light, but I have never heard of a chip doing that. Honestly, you're gonna need to get a scanner on there to pull the code to really know whats going on. At least thats where I would start.

 

There is no reason why a chip will cause a SES light to come on and stay on, other then the chip is not burned correctly for the PCM. As Greg said, your going to have to get a good code reader on there and see what the cause is.

Your run of the mill autozone code reader will NOT work.

Where is the exhaust leak?

 

Yeah my buddy has a good code reader Im going to ask to borrow on monday, I thought I would ask about the chip here first. The exhaust leak I believe is where the header couples with the...Y pipe? The flange doesnt have a good seal I guess. Unless that completely wrong I really havent looked at it much yet. I bought it a week ago and havent had time to go through it besides cleaning the interior.

 

Sounds like up pipe leak... Quite common. Fixing that will help a ton!

 

Yes as Joe said you need a good scanner. My neighbor has the cheap one and it will only need basic codes off mine. Nothing powerstroke related like high pressure oil codes and what not. Thats what buddies who work at ford are for with their computer to do it for you for free

 

As mentioned, if the SES light is on and stays on all the time, the only way it would be related to the chip would be if the chip is damaged or the program on the chip is damaged or incorrect for the application.

It's not that big of a deal to pull the chip out and see if the light goes away. Just make absolutely sure that the ignition key is in the back seat or in your pocket before you fiddle with the PCM, particularly if installing/removing a chip. At least that would verify if the chip itself is the problem and provide a more defined direction to investigate.

Definitely check the DTCs. Those are invaluable when it comes to diagnosis.

Let us know what you find.

 

My edge evo will trip my light when it's set at above 80hp...the code is a low oil supply to the injectors, meaning nothing to me cause it runs the same, when it's on. I just use the evo to cancell the light. But when set at 60hp it doesnt come on. Since i have been using full synthetic it dont' come on near as often. Just cant afford stealth pumps and a tony wildman tune yet, and the evo was FREE! So i am dealing with it.

 

You can send that EVO to Bill I believe and he can put better tunes on it!!!

 

What are DTCs? :P