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Check engine light after hard launch

6K views 13 replies 5 participants last post by  BobATX 
#1 ·
I checked all 8 pages here and no sign of this being a common problem. Care to take a guess?
Help needed.

4 times now during a hard take off or a passing maneuver my 2015 3.5 with 44k has flashed the check engine light. Twice of that the light stayed on, twice it went off after a minute or so. The first time the puter said random misfire or that is all I was told. The second time they changed the coil, all the plugs and the injector and it is still doing it. Code again was misfire on C1. I should get the real code huh :/. Anyone been through this one?
 
#2 ·
Might be a momentary issue, the firing not recording as quickly as the rpms change. Or maybe with MAF vs boost pressure ratios not in spec due to the jackrabbit start.
It's always better to ease into things, like an old man into a hot bath.

I wouldn't worry about, even little glitches that almost instantly correct themselves can trigger a CEL. If there was no computer on board, you'd never know this had even happened.
 
#4 ·
I do think that I may have put regular in this last time just to see how it did. Could that really cause it to toss a check engine error though? I am sure this is the first time I have put regular in though and this is the 4th time it has done it.
 
#7 ·
It "might" if your engine control system adapted itself to 89 and was then hit with 86 and had to re-adjust timing and stuff based on sensor feedback. But that couldn't happen, because the 89 and fresh 86 would mix in the tank and lines and the change would be gradual.
 
#9 · (Edited)
From the 2019 owners manual (pg 136):

Your vehicle is designed to operate on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.

Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle warranty.

For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended.
 
#11 ·
been running 87 since day one. at 92k miles no issues, and I don't baby it. probably why I'm always close to 13.5 MPG. Every once in a while I need to go over the pass from San Diego to El Centro. I fly up that grade at 85 and and it doesn't even notice it. Might as well be on a prairie. T150, 3.5 with ladder racks and 1,700 lbs of cargo give or take. You have a bad sensor and a dealer mechanic too stupid to sort it out I reckon. Time to find another shop.
 
#12 ·
Well the story continues. I have it and it runs fine. They said one of the new plugs was "defective". It is not a dealership but is a shop I have used for about 25 years when I don't want to/can't do it myself. They also think because the engine idled so much(1/3) in its past life that there was a lot of carbon build up. I was afraid of that. They did try to clean that but he said direct injects are bad about it.

Anyway, I have a big trip this weekend and I am just not going to challenge it being fixed or not. No rocket launches till we get home... I hope. It does feel better though. I get to drive it daily for two days at least before we leave. I have a rule about that, no work just before trips. :/ this is close. It drove fine for about 500 miles home after tossing the check engine light last time. Cross my fingers it is fixed. I will let you know.

I don't think it is just low octane but I will keep using 89. You guys, sounding kind of preachy stating the manual, pointing fingers and all. :) :p
 
#13 ·
It sounds intermittent and doesn't effect the driveability, don't worry about it for your trip.
I have the Torque app on my Android OS radio, and I can use it to read/clear codes on the fly. If the CEL being lit is worrisome (it would worry me), get an OBDII app for your phone and an ELM327 bluetooth adapter so you can read and clear the codes yourself on your trip.
 
#14 ·
I drove down to the coast and back with no problem. When I got back I challenged the repair with several full pull hard launches using the full range of RPMs. I think it is fixed. I just do not know if it was a bad coil, plug or injector. They did all three but when the problem was still there all they said they did was to replace what they called a defective plug. Or they cracked it putting it in.

They did also say it had a ton of carbon in the cylinders from idling to much. They did their best to clean that out. I am not sure if they did more of that the second time or not.

Now the bad news. They pinched the o-ring putting the injector in. It gave out 300 miles from home and 20 miles from anything. I had to drive to civilization with it leaking fuel and cost me $300 to get it fixed at a Firestone. :/ The shop refunded me that cost with no hassle. I do a lot of o-ring work and know how it happens but they still should have caught it. I missed half my Memorial day weekend because of it.
 
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