Mainly because there are about a thousand possible reasons. Gonna need to plug in with a scanner, and see what codes come up.

 

Just swing by any auto parts store: Oreillys, Autozone, maybe even Napa, and they can scan and read the code for you free of charge. Then you have some info when you start driving back north.

 

Regarding the "Check Engine Light" on when running... I had forgotten to mention a few more things that may help :1) 11/02/2019 - FAILD EMISSIONS INSPECTION
2) 11/05/2019 - FAILED EMISSIONS INSPECTION
3) 05/29/2020 - EMISSIONS INSPECTION (Doesn't say Passed and doesn't say Failed)

All three tests were conducted at the California Motor Vehicle Dept.

I am assuming that it currently will Not pass CA. Emissions, I doubt it is why they are getting rid of the truck though - I already check with Oregon DMV for this year Diesel and I gave her the VIN..... she looked it up by the VIN and said it does Not have to go through DEQ to get registered and licensed in Oregon.

 

Most of 'em don't hassle with 3/4 or 1 ton trucks in any event. The EPA doesn't test 'em either.

Just that light being on will cause a fail. Need to know WHY it is on.

 

At 23 years old and a check engine light, it may have just been rotated out of service. Does anybody know if the key dance works on '98 diesels? I'm thinking the 98.5 it worked. I've gotten government surplus equipment that needed very little work. It was just old.

 

what exactly is the "Key Dance"?

How to do it?

 

That is a nice workhorse truck. It is nice period. Congrats on the winning bid. Since you started the thread asking what the truck is worth I think you should reveal what you paid so we know. Something is worth what somebody will pay. An auction sale gives a good indication because multiple people wanted it and bid on it. You only bid enough to win it so I don't think you need to worry that you overpaid.

So please... out with it... What was the winning bid? I would be surprised if it took less than $9000 to win the bid. I am guessing $10,500.

 

You can add about 43% to your last guess (that includes the auction fee of 10% onto the winning bid).

I called a local distributor for: Knapheide today on the phone - to replace that Knapheide Service Body New "TODAY" it would cost: $11,842.00 - that includes...installation, shop supplies, wiring harness kit, and the Fuel Filler Neck kit.

Looking at it this way... it gives me some relief from the amount I am spending on the truck.

 

Key dance: on off on off on off and it shows codes. Only works on 2000 and up. Or something like that. . . .

Any old diesel anymore is big $$$$$

Any old diesel and 4x4 is bigger $$$$$$

Any old diesel and 4x4 and stick is stupid $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Enjoy it for whatever you paid. The only scary codes on the 24 valves are related to fuel pressure. You can read for years on lift pumps, injector pumps, and fuel pressure if you google it.

Congrats on the purchase.

 

First of, there were a couple of years of oil burners it won't work on. I'm thinking it was 1996 and '97. I could be wrong. If it works, then it works on your truck.

Now, the key dance. . Do not bump the start position. Turn the ignition on, then off, then on, then off, then on and leave it on.When you leave it on the third time, the check engine light will begin to flash. One flash followed by two is code 12. This is normal as it means the battery has been disconnected in the last 50-100 key starts. Five flashes and five flashes is 55 and means end of test series. Anything else is a trouble code. On my 2001, the code would show up on the digital odometer. The older rolling odometer uses the CEL.