Check Engine Light With E85
Neil
gas cap door), but I've never used it before. The other day my tank was half
full, and I filled it up with E85. A couple dozen miles later my check
engine light went on. It stayed on for a couple of days. Today the check
engine light didn't go on; but it's also much colder today than it's been
the past couple of days, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.
So I was wondering if anyone has heard of any problems using E85, such as
might cause the check engine light to come on, or otherwise. (The car
actually seems to ride a little smoother; but that could just be my
imagination.) I need to get my state inspection sticker next month, and I
certainly don't want any problems with the check engine light right when I
have to do my inspection.
Thanks!
Neil
cse...@mts.net
>I have 2003 Dodge Caravan SE, which takes E85 (has the E85 sticker on the
>gas cap door), but I've never used it before. The other day my tank was half
>full, and I filled it up with E85. A couple dozen miles later my check
>engine light went on. It stayed on for a couple of days. Today the check
>engine light didn't go on; but it's also much colder today than it's been
>the past couple of days, so I don't know if that has anything to do with it.
>
Get the code retrieved (OBD11) and report back here. This has got me
very curious. Just because the lites off, the code will still be
stored.
Pete
Refinish King
Most likely the fuel sensor in the fuel line. But that's just a guess. The
computer sends a richer mix on E-85, because Ethanol does not have the BTU's
nor the flame propagation of gasoline.
RK
<cse...@mts.net> wrote in message news:476dee66...@news.mts.net...
Neil
>> On Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:06:13 GMT, "Neil" <nos...@nospam.net> wrote:
>>
>>>I have 2003 Dodge Caravan SE, which takes E85 (has the E85 sticker on the
>>>gas cap door), but I've never used it before. The other day my tank was
>>>half
>>>full, and I filled it up with E85. A couple dozen miles later my check
>>>engine light went on. It stayed on for a couple of days. Today the check
>>>engine light didn't go on; but it's also much colder today than it's been
>>>the past couple of days, so I don't know if that has anything to do with
>>>it.
>>>
>> Get the code retrieved (OBD11) and report back here. This has got me
>> very curious. Just because the lites off, the code will still be
>> stored.
>>
>> Pete
"Refinish King" <diagno...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:%Nkbj.625$ML6.193@trndny04...
>I can also help:
>
> Most likely the fuel sensor in the fuel line. But that's just a guess. The
> computer sends a richer mix on E-85, because Ethanol does not have the
> BTU's nor the flame propagation of gasoline.
>
I know the owner's manual says that the check engine light might come on
when you use cheaper gasoline. So that might be the same thing. However, the
check engine light's going to come on whenever I use E85, then the car's not
really made for using E85, is it?
maxpower
"Neil" <nos...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:Wkmbj.71456$RX.1...@newssvr11.news.prodigy.net...
cap fault code has nothing to do with E85.
Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech
Jeff DeWitt
the change triggered the light. Then as things... settled down the
light went off.
In any case no doubt you noticed a significant drop in your gas mileage...
Jeff DeWitt
Neil
Here's an interesting thing re. this. I didn't get the fault code yet
because, as noted, the check engine light was off.
The last time I had put half a tank of E85 in, so it was 50% E85. Tonight I
got gas again, and filled up with E85. The tank was 1/3 full, so it now is
about 85% E85.
Though, as noted, the check engine light has been off, about 5 miles after
filling up again on E85, the check engine light went on again.
So that's twice in a row that it went on after filling up on E85.
Neil
I think I found the solution to this. There's an article at
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/10/12/your-flex-fuel-ford-may-be-addicted-to-gasoline/
which says in part:
"Dee Rithman, the owner of a 2000 Ford Taurus, was happy to learn that her
car was designed to accept E85 even though there are currently no ethanol
filling stations in her area. On a recent trip to Austin, she came by an E85
station and decided fill up with the gas alternative. 'About three or four
days later, I'm getting the check engine light on my car,' she says. For
$70, a mechanic told her 'because you've been putting regular gas in it for
six years, the engine's not going to take it because it's not used to it.'
"WOAI contacted the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition who said that,
unfortunately, a lot of drivers experience this, but the problem is neither
serious nor permanent. They said that the check engine light should turn off
after the first few E85 fill-ups. They also suggest that you may be able to
avoid the problem altogether by slowly introducing ethanol to your engine a
few gallons at a time."
Refinish King
Sounds like a Ford problem, but mechanical things don't get used to things.
LOL
Newer vehicles have a sensor that actually determines the ethanol content.
But, the few tanks of E-85 usually cleans off the sensor.
RK
"Neil" <nos...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:jaCej.3679$lo5....@newssvr19.news.prodigy.net...
Neil
"Refinish King" <diagno...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:6NEej.5339$sX5.3904@trndny01...
> The engine wasn't used to it?
>
> Sounds like a Ford problem, but mechanical things don't get used to
> things.
>
> LOL
>
> Newer vehicles have a sensor that actually determines the ethanol content.
> But, the few tanks of E-85 usually cleans off the sensor.
>
> RK
So you're saying that the sensor isn't working right until the first few
tankfuls? And then, once it gets cleaned off, it works properly?
I wonder about my situation where the light went on when I was using 50%
E85, then turned itself off after a couple of days, and then went back on
right after I increased the E85 in the tank to 85%.
maxpower
Neil
"maxpower" <damnni...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:CNOdnR_BMoM7S-ba...@comcast.com...
I'm not worried about it, after reading that article. I was just replying to
Refinish King and asking for clarity about what he was saying. Thanks,
though.
maxpower
vehicle until you find out what the fault code is.
Neil
> But just because you read an article does not mean it pertains to your
> vehicle until you find out what the fault code is.
>
fact that the light went off by itself (and then only went on again when I
increased the concentration of E85) that makes me feel comfortable about it.
But, I need to get my state inspection this month, and am hoping the light
goes off before that. So, whether the light goes off or stays on, I'll have
to bring it in and I'll get the code read. Or would I need to bring it to
the dealer to get the code read?
cse...@mts.net
>> Find a place that will tell you what the stored fault code is!!
Said maxpower.
>I'm not worried about it, after reading that article. I was just replying to
>Refinish King and asking for clarity about what he was saying. Thanks,
>though.
>
Said the same thing said me a while ago. Just because the lite went
out, doen't mean the fault code isn't there. Instead of relying on
an article and thinking you know, get the fault code read and then
know for sure.
Pete
maxpower
If there is a fault code , it may have disabled an IM monitor. The vehicle
will not pass if all monitors have not been run. That's why I say to have
the fault code checked and make sure the problem is fixed. Some monitors
could take days to run and pass
Refinish King
There's always garbage on the bottom of the tank, so increasing the alcohol
content, tends to loosen up the water soluble; i.e.: Rust, sand, metal
filings that haven't stratified to the bottom of the tank yet.
So, usually the sensor will clean it self, with the fuel flow. But, on the
other hand. Sometimes the garbage solidifies on the sensor, or renders it's
ability to measure the conductance of either fuel in the mix, and can be
removed and with a little luck, cleaned off.
Otherwise, you'll need a new one. I helped a friend at a dealer diagnose
one, and the sensor was about $87.00 plus tax.
I hope this helps.
RK
PS
I think in your case, the sensor might be covered under the federal
emissions warranty, which I believe is 7/70 or 8/80.
"Neil" <nos...@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:aqFej.85860$YL5....@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
Refinish King
What fails on one vehicle, isn't necessarily the same failure on another.
RK
"maxpower" <damnni...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:6e6dneYr77qBauba...@comcast.com...
MAlvarez
I had read from the Chevrolet website about the horsepower gains by using E85.
So I started filling up with E85 a few times. Check engine light turned on
last time I filled up. Took it to get checked out and it gave me the code
PO50D, cold start rough idle, .. ran the tank down to empty and filled up with
Regular 87 unleaded.. after a quarter tank the check engine light turned off..
my vehicle is flex fuel, I don’t understand why it does this. 2014 Chevrolet
Silverado 5.3 4x4 LT
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for full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/dodge/check-engine-light-with-e85-10412-.htm
MM
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/SB-10093776-0335.pdf
10year 150k special coverage for defective flex sensor
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for full context, visit https://www.motorsforum.com/dodge/re-check-engine-light-with-e85-12444-.htm