Check Engine Light

755

Asked by SteveLowell Jun 29, 2013 at 05:11 PM about the Dodge RAM 1500

Question type: General

What would make a 'check engine' light come on then, after several miles, go off.  The
vehicle seems to run fine.  No shaking.  No stuttering. No adverse effects.

41 Answers

There are 1,587,254 reasons a CEL would come on. I'm just kidding with that number, my point being there are so very many reasons. If you have had regular maintenance done, as recommend by Dodge, and no performance issues, and it goes off everytime I wouldn't worry about it.

39 people found this helpful.
410

before sleeping remove one cable off the battry, and put it back the next day hope your engine light wont go on again!

40 people found this helpful.
755

DavidH25: Thanx. That is exactly what my mechanic said. He said that your number is off however. It is actually 1,587,255 reasons.

30 people found this helpful.
48,565

@KGD doing what you propose will clear the light yes. But if the problem reoccurs then the light will come back on. I would say get the dtc's checked and see what is causing the light. But as david said if it not causing running problems it must not be a big deal.

26 people found this helpful.
2,035

MOST of the time if it's not causeing running problems it's just something really simple ... even your gas cap not being on tight enough can cause that light to come on. One of the most common reasons for a check engine light to come on and then go out later (especially after filling the gas tank) and the go out again is if there is an EVAP leak. It's not really a big deal and it won't do anything to your vehicle if you run it and don't get it fixed. which can cost up to 500.00.. but the problem with not getting it fixed is... you won't know if something else is going on. kbro is right.. the best thing to do is take it somewhere and get a scanning tool hooked up to it and see exactly what's wrong.

38 people found this helpful.
750

Brand new 1500 and the light is on already. Seems to run fine, This is my third day of ownership.

75 people found this helpful.
470

CEL keeps turning on for 15 miles and then shuts off. Truck is brand new 2014 at 500 miles. Frustrating part is that the dealership says they can't do anything unless I bring it into them with it on, however it turns off every time I get near their shop. One would think they would put a history log on these computers for this type of situation.

47 people found this helpful.
890

My Dodge 2011 I heats up to 3/4 hot and then dropps to normal and ckeck engine light comes on and stays on

55 people found this helpful.
890

2011 Dodge 2011 Heats up to 3/4 then dropps to normal and check engine light stays on all fluid are fine ?

34 people found this helpful.
2,120

We have a 2015 Dodge Ram 1500 with 16k miles, just purchased- and the dang check engine light is on. We have checked the gas cap, then it went off, now it is on again. Thoughts?

212 people found this helpful.
550

We have 2013 Ram 1500. Since Feb or 2015 (after a computer update) the engine light has been going on and off. After having it reset at the dealership with no reason for it being on (still under warranty at that time) it came back on a week later. I've lost track of how many times we had it back in. Sometimes it will stay off for 2 days, sometimes 3 to 4 weeks. Sometimes they find a reason like a low battery in the key. That time is when it came back on 2 days later. Another time it was supposed to be something to do with the fuel filter, back on about 2 weeks later. The other times the reading was a 'stored code', which no one could say what that meant or why it was showing up. Just today we were told Chrysler knows there is a problem, but don't have a solution. If they get enough incidents reported they could do a recall. So if you are having a problem under warranty, get it to the dealership so they know how wide spread this is.

39 people found this helpful.
230

I have a 2015 ram 1500 ,5.7. 28,000 miles it's been in the shop for three days the same problem. Let's see what the dealer has to say today.. keeping my fingers crossed..I had a 2007 ram 1500 with no problems, I'm really questionable if fiat can build a truck..

23 people found this helpful.
1,250

I have a 3500 Ram. The CEL comes on and stays on, until the mechanic clears it. He tells us that as long as it's not flashing, it's no big deal. This light comes on between oil changes, at approx 3500 miles, or so it seems. It's annoying! Any thoughts on this, neither one of us is mechically inclined. We'd like to get this issue taken care of so we'll feel better hauling. Help!

38 people found this helpful.
755

I had the same issue with my 1500 with the 5.7L Hemi. The code, oddly enough, indicates that the incorrect weight oil was installed at the last oil change. My engine used 5w20. The shop installed 10w30. Good luck.

26 people found this helpful.
1,250

Is there an easy way to get the code for the CEL? I've heard that if I turn the ignition on (w/o starting) it should give us a p code. True, for 3500 2013 Ram??

87 people found this helpful.
790

I have a dodge ramm quad cab hemi engine 1500 My check engine light is on and the ESC doesn't light up now can someone help its a 2014

79 people found this helpful.
510

just bought a used 2014 dodge ram 1500 and the check engine light turned on. Hope its not a big deal.

51 people found this helpful.
510

i have a 2012 dodge ram 1500 and the engine light came on y

51 people found this helpful.
180

I have a RAM1500 with the 5.7 hemi light came on three times sence I had it ,it costs $35 each time toget it off ,really getting tired of this,really thinking of tradeing it in on a FORD.

18 people found this helpful.
330

2017 Ram 1500 check engine like stays on to the shop and nothing wrong according to the mopar man, but in 24 hours the light flashes on. I have less than 3000 miles and 4 weeks old 5 trips to shop and back today I have had 4 other Rams with no problems what gives ???

33 people found this helpful.
100

me too 2015 10K had the oil change damn light went on just lazy the hassle of going to the dealer drives me crazy ....

10 people found this helpful.
600

I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 4.7L V8. It’s runs completely fine until CEL comes on, then it began to stutter and jerk. Eventually it will go away but comes back on after while.... I don’t know what to do

60 people found this helpful.
150

2017 ram 1500 only 7000 km and engine lights on what a pain

15 people found this helpful.
370

i have 2009 dodge ram 1500 bought new 63000 mi. been running havalene oil never had a problem best vehical i have owned for maint. hade oil changed about 10 days ago 20wt sin now me eng lite stays on code reader low oil pressure needle dont move eng runs smooth ????

16 people found this helpful.
410

I have a 2013 dodge ram. at first the gas cap filler display came on, change out the gas cap with a new gas cap. It still has the same problem and now the engine light came on. what is the problem, need your input. thank you!

41 people found this helpful.
130

I would like to know the answer also! We have a 2017 Ram 2500 bought in July, has 2600 miles on it and the engine light comes on and off. Been in the service center twice, this time for three days. They are replacing rain gauge and transmission filter, I think that is what they said. Anyways they are saying we don't run the truck hard enough and if these replacements don't work there isn't anything they can do about it. Where can we go to get this resolved?

10 people found this helpful.
550

Don't take that answer. As long as you are under warranty keep going back. We had a similar problem with our 2013 1500. We had pretty much given up when we were at a different dealership for something else because they were more convenient. They saw our engine light on even though that wasn't reason we were there. They found the problem. By this time we were no longer under warranty. We told them we spent about 2 years going back and forth with the other dealership, being told that they knew there was a problem but it was widespread enough to make a recall (all lies by the way). The second dealership said that was not acceptable customer service. They gave us a number to call to appeal that the problem was no longer covered. They had all the documentation that we had this problem while it was covered and they approved the repair at no cost to us. It was a $500 part by the way. I think it was something to do with emissions, but can't say for sure. Like I said, keep going back everytime it comes on while it is under warranty, but I would also try a different dealership, maybe they have better customer service than where you are going now.

11 people found this helpful.
130

Thank you for your input. The truck has been in the service center now for three days!! I was mistaken about rain gauge, they are replacing the rain sensor and a filter for the transmission. Of course they say if that doesn't work they can't do anything more!!! Have checked into the lemon law but don't know if the engine light qualifies. They blame it on not running the truck engine hard enough.

3 people found this helpful.
550

They replaced a number of things (key fob battery was one of them) and each time the light went off. Sometimes it would stay off for a few weeks, sometimes only a few days. Another answer they gave us was that the problem was an unknown stored code, whatever that means. Eventually they said there was nothing more they could do. The 2nd dealership identified the problem right away and helped us to get it covered under warranty. Keep going back if it still under warranty or find a different dealership. My husband said they needed to give him a room just for him since he felt like he was living at the dealership.

6 people found this helpful.
240

Haven't driven my truck in a couple weeks it's a '12 2500 5.7 and the engine light just came on.. any suggestions to this?

24 people found this helpful.
370

i have a 2009 ram 1500 to day my light came on no apparent reason i tried disc batt + cab. no luck so started looking i checked water res. for radiator no water added about a gal started it up light went out so there is a switch for water level this may he;p others.

8 people found this helpful.
80

My engine light came on and now it seems to have no second gear.have to drop it down to low to get rolling.seems like something electrical in the transmission

8 people found this helpful.
10

I do not have an answer, this is my situation. One moment the truck drives fine, now it idle roughly with both in park and drive. It's a ram 1500. I put carborator cleaner in the gas which help a little without stalling.

1 people found this helpful.
50

i have a 2015 dodge ram 1500 4x4 sport 5.7. 1st the fuel cap light went on then about 300 miles the check engine light went on also. read a p457 code. fuel cap replace ok did that.. cleared codes same problem 300 miles later. i just heard it could be that i change the weight of the oil to non stock...IS THAT THE POSSIBLE REASON? cant be that easy.

5 people found this helpful.
40

I have a 2016 Ram 1500 5.7, check engine light comes on and gives a P219B error code for air/fuel imbalance. I've had this truck to 3 different dealerships and replaced the downstream oxygen sensor and the intake. Did not fix it. Dealership is wanting to pull the camshaft. This started in August of 2019. After they check the code the CEL will go out then once I drive the truck and let it get fully warm, shut it off and let it cool down then drive it again and let the engine warm back up it will come on again, After 4 or 5 starts it will go out.

1 people found this helpful.

Red Ford trucks my whole life now we got this 2015 Dodge with the check engine light all the time all I do is a wrench on this thing oh my God what a piece of junk we're anxious to trade you didn't get rid of it but in the meantime I got check engine light problems I got the readout can't find the sensor that's causing the problem for all the other sensors that is being decided to wrong 908 sensors are not bad so one of them is causing the others to screw up and it's impossible to find the one so very expensive part change out situation would recommend anybody buy a Dodge

20

I have a Ram 1500 dodge 2011. She has the engine light turn on, sound alarm and sometimes shake. Dealer told me that I have to change the engine, but she is only 90,,000. It is posible ? Always she has a perfect maintenance, changing every 3,000 miles the oil, but this time, we change for 5,000

2 people found this helpful.

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