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  #11  
Old January 2nd 08, 09:37 PM posted to alt.autos,alt.autos.dodge
Neil[_2_]
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Posts: 57
Default Check Engine Light With E85


"maxpower" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Neil" > wrote in message
> et...
>>
>> > "Neil" > wrote in message
>> > t...
>> >>
>> >> "Neil" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >>>
>> >>> "Neil" > wrote in message
>> >>> news >> >>>>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.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> 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
>> >>>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> 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.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> I think I found the solution to this. There's an article at
>> >>

> http://www.autobloggreen.com/2006/10...d-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" > 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%.
>>
>>

> Find a place that will tell you what the stored fault code is!!
>


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.


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