I searched but couldn't find the threads with information about the mysterious CEL that appears during track use and then...just as mysteriously, disappears two days later.

This is not the Service AdvanceTrack issue. This is just a CEL that appears, but does not do anything to the car. IF the car goes into limp mode (What does that look like?), it doesn't stay there and the car behaves perfectly, even with the CEL.

I was going to have it checked at the dealer, but the light went out at lunch today. Is the CEL logged, so that we can see what it was?

Any ideas? My track event was very ordinary. Three 20-minute sessions with a totally stock car, no brake fade, nor engine overheating or any of that nonsense.

Jimmy

 

Without scanning the code, we won't know for sure but I believe the CEL you are talking about is knock sensor related if my memory serves me right. The rough nature of driving hard on the track can trigger the knock sensor from all the bumps, jumping curbs, etc. I seem to recall that it can put the car into limp mode but doesn't always and that the track key is supposed to fix this problem.

 

Knock sensors don't sense bumps...

 

The P0300 (misfire) codes are from hitting the rev limiter. The CEL will come on for this but -and I don't know why - the car does not always go into limp mode. If you do go into limp mode you will not get any additional warning lights but you will be running on four cylinders so you will feel a lack of power.

Don't make my mistake and stay in it, when the eight cylinders come back on it could send you out of control.

 

Is this the thread?

 

I had the p0300 & p0297 a couple of weeks ago at sears point, I was told the p0297 was an "vehicle over speed" code i.e. going to fast LOL!

 

Yes, that's it! Thanks, Tony. I guess I suck at searching.

I was driving on a very rough track and I'm confident that I got the random misfire CEL (caused by vibrations to the CPS), as described in the other thread. Ford says TracKey fixes this. I guess I know where my tax refund is going.

Jimmy

 

You are correct, it is random misfires. My memory did not serve me correctly.

 

FWIW. I spoke with a well know person from Ford Racing about this issue at length. The misfire codes are from hitting the rev limiter not going over bumps.

 

Not hitting the rev limiter in mine and getting a repeated cel calling out the #2 cylinder misfire......its in the shop now. I have already erased it twice with a buddies OBD2 twice.....enough is enough.