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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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