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Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
The service engine soon indicator light on our 2010 LD has recently come on and stays on (the light is not blinking).  The vehicle starts and drives normally.  The Ford E-Series Owners Guide seems to suggest that when the light comes on it is usually an issue related to emissions (there are no emission testing requirements where we live in eastern Washington).  Unfortunately, the two Ford dealers closest to where we live do not work on motorhomes.  So If this is something I cannot resolve I guess we will be taking the LD to an independent RV repair shop.  I am assuming the vehicle is still safe to drive with the light on.  Any suggestions would be welcome.  Thanks.
Paul
Paul
2010 MB (2011-present)                                                                                        
1994 Multiplan (1997-2010)
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #2 –
You might consider purchasing an On Board diagnostic Reader. This one from amazon will display diagnostic information and drivetrain performance data via Bluetooth link to your mobile device.

I couldn’t provide a link but you should be able to find the product with this information.

Product Name: Foseal
ASIN: B077F8F6TB
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #3 –
Quote from: Jack J  - 
Paul,
Pep Boys and AutoZone will test for ODB-II fault codes for free.  Once you know why the check engine light is on, you can then make an informed decision.

Pep Boys Free Check Engine Light Code Retrieval Service
The AutoZone Fix Finder

- Jack


Also, O'Reilly's.

Lynne
Lynne
LDy Lulubelle, Green '05 31' TB
Lilly, the 4-Legged Alarm
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #4 –

Paul, I bought a Scangauge II  before I picked up my 31 IB in 2014.  It will read the ODB codes so you can determine why the LD is unhappy.    I bought it because I wanted to monitor the transmission temperature.   It was more expensive that some others but gave me that critical bit of information.   I saw it then and now as an investment.

Once you get the code read, you might consider looking into one, but as has been said, YMMV

Joel

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #5 –
Paul, others have offered advice about having an auto parts place check for the codes that your 2010 is throwing to trigger the check engine light, and, for future use, getting an OBDII 'reader', e.g., a Scan Gauge. Here's another suggestion: This video presents a clear, concise synopsis of the most common causes of the check light going on, starting with a gas cap that's not seated firmly (or is worn or poorly fitted). I'd sure check the simplest thing first!  But, as others have said, the problem can't be diagnosed without the code(s).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUbH_l6MDps

Good luck. Please post when you have the solution; thanks.
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #6 –
"Paul, I bought a Scangauge II  before I picked up my 31 IB in 2014."

Joel

Are you satisfied with the Scangauge II? I ran one for an extended period but due to it's small size and nearly obscure readout I was forced to abandon it. I now have the UltraGuage and am much more happy with it as to size, visibility, ease of programming, etc. I can now monitor all parameters without having to lean and squint, including transmission temps.   ;D   ;)

 UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #7 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"Paul, I bought a Scangauge II  before I picked up my 31 IB in 2014."

Joel

Are you satisfied with the Scangauge II? I ran one for an extended period but due to it's small size and nearly obscure readout I was forced to abandon it. I now have the UltraGuage and am much more happy with it as to size, visibility, ease of programming, etc. I can now monitor all parameters without having to lean and squint, including transmission temps.   ;D   ;)

 UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center

We have two, one for the wifes car and one for our RV. Very happy with them.
2001 MB
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #8 –

We bought this one and it's worked great for our vehicles

Amazon.com: ScanTool OBDLink LX Bluetooth: Professional Grade OBD-II...

According to the gang over on LVC (Lincoln vs. Cadillac Forum), there's a free app called Forscan that is specifically for FoMoCo that lets you see much more detail beyond just a generic code reading (should you need it) 

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #9 –
"We bought this one and it's worked great for our vehicles."

Well, that sure reinforces the statement; "There's an app for that!"

But I'm wondering how easy, or difficult, is this Bluetooth device to use by a solo driver while underway?
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #10 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 
"Paul, I bought a Scangauge II  before I picked up my 31 IB in 2014."

Joel

Are you satisfied with the Scangauge II? I ran one for an extended period but due to it's small size and nearly obscure readout I was forced to abandon it. I now have the UltraGuage and am much more happy with it as to size, visibility, ease of programming, etc. I can now monitor all parameters without having to lean and squint, including transmission temps.  ;D  ;)

 UltraGauge OBDII Scan tool & Information Center
I reviewed the site, but it appears to be more expensive than others referenced here.....worth the extra cost?
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....
 
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #11 –
Note that the ScanTool OBDLink LX Bluetooth is available for Windows and Android OS only; no iOS.

2003 TK has a new home
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #12 –
Since ours is an '04, I have never seen this, but on our other vehicles, it simply means time for a scheduled maintenance. See if your mileage corresponds to one in your maintenance manual. Usually, the light stays lit until reset by the appropriate sequence of button operations - or by the dealer.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #13 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
Note that the ScanTool OBDLink LX Bluetooth is available for Windows and Android OS only; no iOS.
I purchased the OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner (supports iOS) last year and have been very happy with it Amazon.com: OBDLink MX+ Bluetooth OBD2 Scanner Turns Your iPhone, iPad,... .

I have it paired with my old Android Moto X phone via Bluetooth and use the OBDLink app to display transmission temp, water temp, RPM, voltage, altitude, and GPS speed. I have the Moto X mounted on the dash with a vent clip mount. Works great!

Charles
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Harvest Hosts + Boondockers Welcome #23975
Escapees SKP #138195
2007 23.5' Twin King
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #14 –
"..on our other vehicles, it simply means time for a scheduled maintenance."
----
I've never seen the check engine light come on in my 2003 Ford or in the Honda Fit, but I thought that the 'check engine light' and the 'scheduled maintenance light' were separate indicators/symbols? 

Do late(er) model Ford E-450s have a 'scheduled maintenance light'?
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #15 –
Quote from: Joan  - 
Do late(er) model Ford E-450s have a 'scheduled maintenance light'?

The OP referred to it as "service engine soon" light. I don't think this would be the 'check engine' light, but perhaps the newer models differ...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #16 –
2019 has "Service Engine Soon". (Symbol is a profile of an engine similar to the symbol earlier in this thread) If it illuminates when the engine is running, the onboard diagnostics has indicated a problem with the emissions control system. As far as i can tell the only other maintenance indicator on this unit is oil life. i will look further when i get the chance. Some of my other vehicles do have instruments to remind me of maintenance .

Randy
Randy

2019 MB
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #17 –
"The OP referred to it as "service engine soon" light."
----
Good point; perhaps a question of semantics? (If Paul's Ford manual states that the light coming on may indicate problems with the emissions systems, to me that's the 'check engine light'.)
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #18 –
A "service engine soon" light usually means it's time for some engine maintenance. A "check engine light" (CEL) means the computer has detected a problem, usually emissions related, that needs attention.
A flashing CEL means the computer has detected a condition(s) that will damage the engine if continue to be driven...shut it down and find out what's up.

We have ScanGauge in the LD and Ultragauges in the both Jeeps.
Both will read OBDII CELs (check engine light). The gauges may or may not erase the codes, our ScanGauge will and Ultragauges should be able but will not.
You will need to look up the OBDII code, if present, the readers only provide the a number, not its meaning. OBDII codes can be easily found on the net. The code does not necessarily provide the cause, only that computer has detected a particular problem. The code's purpose is to aim the mechanic trouble shooting effort in the right direction.
I have printed lists of the codes that are placed in each vehicle, in case internet access isn't available.

The ScanGauge is easier, for me, to read and doesn't suffered from as many glitches as the Ultragauges
The Ultragauge has much more information available but the additional info is only useful to knowledgable users and those willing to program them. BTW, both of our Ultragauges were given to me by owners who could not deal with the programing, it is an involved, menu driven process .
When parking either Jeep for more than a week, I unplugged the Ultragauge to prevent it from killing the battery. Too many nights I have found an Ultragauge glowing in the dark, with the ignition off, hours or days after driving it.

The question is what information about your LD do you want a gauge to show?
I'm normally only interested in the coolant temp, transmission fluid temp, the voltage and ambient temperature (shown by the 'intake' air reading). The intake air temp is ambient once the rig is moving over 45-MPH. The dashboard gauges provide the rest of the crucial information. 
For this limited information, I find the ScanGauge to be best and easiest to use, YMMV.

The Ultragauge is more useful for an auto enthusiast who understands and loves to know about and play with his/her vehicle's tuning and performance or someone want to use it to track fuel usage.
I have found useful for engine tuning, after installing a performance engine in a vehicle, a feature most will never need. If you are this type, it can be programs show large amount of information, spread over several screens, it requires a lot of toggling, with very small, hidden buttons, to switch between screens.
One other feature, needing programing, are the alarms for overheating . Our E450 already has an overheat alarm and light, provided by Ford.  One nice feature of the V10 is its built-in overheat protection, it's very difficult to overheat and damage a V10.

Larry


Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #19 –
Having just paid the local Toyota bandits $120 to read and “interpret” the check engine light on our Prius V, only to find that Loni hadn’t properly attached the gas cap (my bad, I should have known better and checked), the prices for these gauges look better and better!  🤑 — Jon
(Former) ‘06 TK “Albatross.” And (former) Vespa 250.   Alas, no more; both are gone.😕 Great memories remain! 😄
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #20 –
Steve,  I am well pleased with the scangauge. It is limited to 4 items monitored at a time and I switch from avg gas mileage to transmission temp when I hit the hills.  I hadn't seen the ultragauge til after I made my purchase.  I find the screen is quite readable for me where I have it located so that is not a problem for me. 

The only drawback to the scangauge that I have found is that it does not track fuel usage on the generator and will understate the gas left in the tank slightly.    On the gripping hand, that does give me an idea of the generator fuel consumption.

I've thought about getting an ultragauge to try out but, so far, inertia has won out.

I'm satisfied, but as Joan says,  YMMV.

Joel

My Avalon has a maintenance interval of 5K.  After 4K, there's a reminder at startup 'maintenance needed soon'.  After 4.5K it changes to 'maintenance needed'.   Over 100K that nuudge could provide an extra 1-5 'services' for the shop....
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #21 –
Quote from: Lazy Bones  - 


But I'm wondering how easy, or difficult, is this Bluetooth device to use by a solo driver while underway?

Not sure if you were quoting me or someone else, but it is generally used as a diagnostic tool so no reason to leave it plugged in during normal driving.
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #22 –
I started up the LD to take it to Autozone (thanks for that suggestion) and, surprising to me, the service engine soon indicator light turned itself off.  The previous two times I had driven the LD (on relatively short trips to a local park to exercise the engine and the generator) the light stayed on.  The 2010 Ford E-Series Owners Guide gives 4 example temporary malfunctions that may cause the indicator light to illuminate, one of which is the electrical system may be wet.  Perhaps that it what happened to our LD as we have had an abnormally cold winter in eastern Washington with way more snow than usual.  Our LD resides in an uncovered RV storage lot and perhaps some component of the electrical system got wet.  More recently the weather has improved so perhaps whatever got wet has dried out.  In any case, I am happy to say the problem seems to have resolved itself.  Thanks for the suggestions.
Paul
Paul
2010 MB (2011-present)                                                                                        
1994 Multiplan (1997-2010)
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #23 –
I have a car that gives CEL on weekend of short drives(2 miles) reaching operating Temp, but clears on week days on 25 mile commutes.  
Maybe a open loop mixture to closed loop mixture transition failure, or O2S failing?
Rodney
1988 Mid Bath
Re: Service Engine Soon Indicator Light
Reply #24 –
HI.  I had this problem in my 2006 RB a couple of years ago and after multiple trips to the Ford dealer with no correction finally saw on a thread here that a faulty fuel pump might be the issue.  had the fuel pump replaced and now, two years, later, have not seen the dreaded light again!
2006 FL