No matter how sophisticated newer vehicles get, they still haven’t made a truck that can just tell you in plain English what needs to be fixed.
The wrench light on the Ford F-150 can tip you off to trouble, but it’s not very specific about what that trouble is.
So, what does the F-150’s wrench light mean?
It could point to just about anything, but it probably has something to do with your engine control systems: your PCM, ETB or ECM. Or, it could have to do with the All-Wheel-Drive and your transmission.
It could be any of these. How do you know which of these problems you’re dealing with, and how do you get them taken care of? You can’t know until you run a diagnostic on the vehicle. Read on, and we’ll discuss these issues in depth.
Wrench Light? Drive Straight to the Nearest Dealership
As reliable as the F-150 may be, Ford made a major oversight when they developed this little feature. It doesn’t save diagnostic codes when you turn your truck off.
This means that the mechanics might find it impossible to reproduce the error so that they can properly diagnose it. So, if possible, you need to head in for a checkup right away.
Unfortunately, the wrench light is sometimes accompanied by the truck slowing to a complete stop.
And it won’t move again until you restart the engine. In which case, diagnosis can be even tougher.
What Exactly is Wrong?
Here’s the frustrating thing about finding a wrench light on your Ford F-150: You need an OBDII scan tool to see what’s wrong, but sometimes, it won’t let you know exactly what’s going on. So, what next?
Fix #1 Check the PCM
If you’re having problems with stalling, misfiring, or the truck failing to start, it might be the Powertrain Control Module or the Engine Control Module. This is the computer that helps to manage drivability and engine performance.
The issue could be something as simple as water getting into the module. Which means that a simple swap should get your truck running again.
Fix #2 Check the Electronic Throttle Body
The Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) or the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) could be having issues. In an F-150, look behind the air box. Pull the air intake snorkel off, remove the bolt, and clean the area.
The air box housing has an MAF sensor you’ll need to release; then you can remove the four bolts on the air box. Now, you can access the ETB and replace it.
Fix #3 Replace the Transmission Fluid
If you’ve never done this, it may sound intimidating, but it’s not as tough as it sounds. Put a 15-quart container under the transmission pan to catch the fluid and start loosening the bolts, moving the container wherever the fluid is coming out.
Next, take out the filter, and clean the pan of any gunk you find in there. Brakleen can work wonders. Put the new filter in, pour 5 to 6 quarts of new transmission fluid in, and let your truck run for a bit to get the new fluid flowing.
This video will let you know where to find everything you’re looking for if this is your first time changing transmission fluid.
If none of this works, a full tune-up might help to get everything in working order again.
Know What to Look Out For
You’re going to get a lot more miles out of your truck if you know what problems you have to look out for upfront. Every vehicle has issues, but if you read your Vehicle History, you’ll know what to do as soon as they pop up.
