Any ideas on what this intermittent check engine light might mean?

[IGETAROUND]

This is one for the gurus, I have a 2018 F3-T that shows me an intermittent check engine light when I have wound the RPM's up above 5000, or when I have just gassed it and gone fast, over 85MPH. Yes, I know I shouldn't drive that fast or run the motor that hard; however, sometimes the need for speed just overtakes one. There is no alteration in running or performance just the intermittent check engine light in the bottom right corner of the instrument cluster. Any thoughts about why this is happening will be taken under advisement. Thanks,

Al in Kazoo

 

[Elwood58]

Check to see if any codes are being logged. Sounds like minor fuel starvation. You do not mention your mileage. Fuel filter change time?

 

[djh3]

Also are all the emissions equipment still installed?

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

For the past year or so, my 14 RT does this often. I also get a check engine light to go with it. The Engine runs fine and my gas mileage has improved by +/- 2mpg's. It's weird. The code that shows up is P0171, which has actually turned OFF by itself, ie. without shutting off the engine and re-starting, which is the normal way to re-set codes. Good luck ...Mike

 

[EdMat]

when I have wound the RPM's up above 5000, or when I have just gassed it and gone fast, over 85MPH. Yes, I know I shouldn't drive that fast or run the motor that hard;

Al in Kazoo

Now somebody tells me this. I thought that was the way to do it. roflmao

 

[Mikey]

:b2b::roflblack:

 

[IGETAROUND]

No codes found, all emissions equipment is stock and in place. Fuel filter changed 34K, current mileage 62K. No changes in gas mileage, or alteration in how motor runs or idles. All maintenance except spark plugs has been accomplished at or before due. Scratch head and appear dumb. Would appreciate any other thoughts on what might be causing this intermittent check engine icon on the dash.

Al in Kazoo

 

[Peter Aawen]

Don't forget that the 'Check Engine Light' can be a 'Catch all' indicator for intermittent &/or transient 'issues or occurrences' where the computers just don't know what codes to use, or even if there is a code!! :gaah: But if the light goes away all by itself, then the 'issue or occurrence' is no longer of concern, at least as far as all the on-board computers are concerned! :lecturef_smilie:



So while ever it keeps going away and it's not leaving a code, I'd just...

Ride More, Worry Less! :2thumbs:

 

[BertRemington]

I too occasionally see the short flash of the Engine lamp when upshifting while riding hard. I think it's just an elderly machine (mine's at 96K) fussing at us for having fun.

 

[PMK]

At a guess, your Spyders computer learned how you typically ride. The instant burst of rpm may be triggering a fuel trim error for an instant that the computer quickly adapts to.

 

[RiderDuke]

My F3T did that a couple of years ago... I couldn't find any codes.. Dealer said it was a bad Knock Sensor... It got fixed under warranty and I never had it come on again..

 

[Peter Aawen]

My F3T did that a couple of years ago... I couldn't find any codes.. Dealer said it was a bad Knock Sensor... It got fixed under warranty and I never had it come on again..

That does raise a possible cause... Are you running 87 octane gas IGET?? As PMK has basically alluded, maybe it's the rapidly increasing revs triggering a momentary knock that is very quickly compensated for by the computers, but you get the 'Check Engine' light flash while it happens??

Still, if it goes away & it only occurs when you've 'wound the RPM's up above 5000, or when you have just gassed it and gone fast', then maybe just be a tiny bit less aggressive on the throttle at those times and...

Ride More, Worry Less!

Did I say that already??

 

[PMK]

Rider Duke and Peter bring forward good points also.

This morning I searched the P0171 code. Essentially the verbage of the description indicates a lean fuel condition on account of several suggested possible causes.

Without a code from IGETAROUND, yes, any number of possibilities may trip the fault light. As mentioned though, it appears to self clear. That said, certainly it could be a fuel octane related possibility triggering a knock sensor, a fuel trim momentarily going lean and out of range, or possibly something else disrupting the “norm” the computer has learned.

In regards to the Blueknight trigger P0171, the fuel mileage difference remains. It is well known the Blueknight runs lower octane fuel, which may or may not be a contributing factor. The searched for chart listed several possibilities, such as MAF sensor, low grade fuel, even low fuel pressure. If I were to try and resolve the P0171 code, my first two checks would be to clean the MAF sensor, and verify proper fuel pressure. Quite possibly with higher mileage the MAF needs a proper rinse with MAF sensor cleaner.

 

[IGETAROUND]

Hum, knock sensor. Yes I too am guilty of not paying for 91 octane fuel. And yes PMK, my normal riding style is cruising the back roads at 45-55 MPH.

I thank you all for your thoughts. Confirmed my thoughts that if it clears spontaneously and leaves no traces via codes a continued benign neglect isn't likely to harm anything.

Al in Kazoo