CEL Trickery?

ob269 · #1 10-29-2011, 01:49 PM

Since owning my Ranger, the CEL has came on 3 times. The first time, the code said it was the o2 sensor in bank 2(pass side). Well I bought the o2 sensor, and before I could change the sensor, the CEL went out on its own!? I don't quite know why but I left it go.

Well the light ended up coming back on oh, two-three weeks later, went and got the code read again, this time both o2 sensors. Well I didn't have the 115ish to replace them (stupid me took the original sensor bought back cause "I didn't need it anymore") so I just cleared the codes so I wouldn't have to see the CEL on since it buggs me..

Well the other day my CEL came on again. I didn't have time to go to Advance Auto that day to read the code, got lazy the next couple days, then Thursday I noticed it didn't light up when I was on my way to work.. I figured maybe the bulb burnt out, so when I pulled into work, I turned it off and then flipped the key up to ON and the light lit up so the bulb is not burnt out..
I have started/stopped the truck probably 10 times since, and no more CEL?

Anyone know what would cause the light to turn off on its own?

ob269 · #2 10-30-2011, 10:01 PM

anybody have troubles like this?

ob269 · #3 11-12-2011, 05:23 PM

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

94mtx · #4 11-12-2011, 06:26 PM

Some CEL codes will just be stored in the ECU, but not show the CEL on all the time. The CEL for certain things usually only comes on when a reading is out of range or a voltage is wrong for the sensor output. Basically, what you are getting is normal for some things which trigger a CEL.

There is still something wrong with your truck if it is giving you a CEL... Get the code scanned again and replace whatever is broken (probably both O2 sensors - also make sure the o2 wiring didn't just get melted through - I've seen that before.)