2000 7.3, reading the Computer ???

[engine_boy]

Hi all,

I had an issue a few months back - that I had resolved to the tune of $900. I need information so I don't get caught in this situation again.

My check engine light would come on intermittently, power would suffer, and it sounded like it was missing. After it kept getting worse, I took it to the local AutoZone (and others) to have the Codes pulled. Even with the light on, they could not pull any engine codes - this upset me.

I finally gave up and took it to the Ford Dealership. They pulled the codes for $100, then told me that the Valve Cover Gasket / Wiring was getting old and cracked, thus shorting - giving me this problem. I thought I could fix that - when the Service Manager said he recommended that I fix it immediately - since this problem could destroy the $1500 injection computer (can't remember the exact name of the computer here - so humor me). I gave in, and watched them do the 8 hour job in 1.5 hours, and of course charge me for 8 hours. Moral to the story - get more info from Forums before going to the dealer.....

So, here I am, a little late. Here is my question: How do I read the codes? Since my truck has over 200K, should I expect the other Valve Cover Gasket to fail soon? Are there any special considerations to changing the gaskets?

And a By the Way - I disconnected my Backpressure Valve sensor, effectively disabling it, with no Check Engine Light. I ran it like this all last winter with no issues. Should the Check Engine Light come on?

Thanks ahead of time.

[floundergigging]

As for the ebp valve being disconnected you will not get a check engine light, this I know. As for the rest of the question I am almost as new as you are so I'll let the real experts chime in... Later, Brian

[sea71]

First off, WELCOME to the site. Glad to have you on here. As far as the head gasket question, I think they may have replaces your Under Valve Cover wiring harness. Thats usually the culprit on these motors. If you are not experiencing and of the same symptoms as you did before, then you should be fine. They will USUALLY tell on themselves little by little if they start geting loose or burned. Reading codes can be done several ways. There are programmers that come with the capability built in,or there are various priced code readers availble through your local parts store that will do a good job for ya.

[eschaner]

enginboy I have the same problem. The light will come on without even getting on the throttle hard and then go out a short time later and so on. I have a Actron scanner(cp9135) and It does not show me any codes neither. The same one Auto Zone uses. I e-amiled actron inc. and I asked if it does not work on diesel trucks. They replied it does, but the truck might not be set to OBD 2 specs. I thought all vehicles were to obd 2 specs. So do we have to buy new scanners for our trucks?

[todd]

auto enginuity software for your laptop from itp diesel will read your codes and so much more

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by todd

auto enginuity software for your laptop from itp diesel will read your codes and so much more

Or invest in a snap-on MT2500 with the Diesel Insight trouble shooter. You can buy an old MT2500 off eBay without the right cartridges and get the right ones from other auctions (as long as you have the obd II primary cartridge up to your year model, the basic obd ii snap on will read your psd with no probs). You'll need a OBD II connector and a ODB key 2 or 2a.

This is the setup I have and use it on all vehicles. I've had it since the mid-late 90's and it is awesome. I'm thinking about getting the AE, but it's a bit pricey to get for giggles. Either way you should be covered.

[eschaner]

Isn't there a tuner that also checks for codes along with tune the truck in the same unit?

[todd]

all handheld flash tuners will tune and read codes like you said but theres no comparison between a custom chip and a flash tuner so just buy a scanner instead of a tuner imo once youve had a dp or tw chip youll never think about a tuner again and a good scanner does alot more than just read codes they do diagnostic checks cylinder contribution buzz tests gpr test and much more no tuner will ever equal a good scanner

[eschaner]

So if I buy a snap-on mt2500 and get the ford cartridge with diesel insight, I should be covered?