i have a 2006 e250 with 5,4L i replaced the belt tensioner and belt a couple wks ago and was getting a p171 and 174 so i assumed i didnt fully reinstall the intake system. so i redid it and no more codes or check engine light but i've been hearing a ding when i look down noting is lit up. Today while driving i saw the "check gage" light come on. i cant even find a guide for what to check.

 

Are any of the dash gauges giving a faulty /not normal reading ? When the PCM picks up a problem with the info going to the dash gauges, it will send that message.

Since you were in the area of the coolant temp sensor, might be a good move to check the connections to and from that sensor . Let us know what you find, thanks.

 

The check gauge refers to just one gauge, your coolant temp.
Your van doesn't have a ECT but CHT check below:







1) CHT sensor itself can't go bad, so check the connection between your CHT and PCM's reference voltage: (C1047 -> C1046 -> C175B's terminal 41, yellow/light green wire) and return signal: (C1047 -> C1046 -> C175B's terminal 58, gray/red wire)
2) Check your coolant level and top it off accordingly.
3) Check for possible coolant leaks
4) Check if your tstat is failing (stuck in closed position) or not, find out why PCM think your van is overheating.

5) Check your water pump operation since you said you replaced the belt not long ago
Why you replaced only the belt and the tensioner assembly? How about idler pulleys? You need one smooth one grooved, in addition to the one that's part of the tensioner assembly. BTW idler pulleys have shorter lifespan than the belt and they should be changed together, it's like you should change your engine oil and its filter and but you are changing just the oil.

 

ok so no other lights on and the "check gage" only seem to come on from a stop and like 35% throttle at the 1.-2 shift then goes off

 

Locate C175b above, unplug the connector and find terminal 41 and 58. Unplug the connector on your CHT there is only 2 terminals. Test continuity between C175b-41 and C1047-1 (yellow/light green wire) and between 175b-58 and C1047-2 (gray/red wire), just to make sure your no break on the 2 wires.
Do you have a scanner/reader you can check the CHT/ECT in cold start, and observe the degree reading. Drive the van for 20 minutes does the temp rise accordingly? Just to check and see if your tstat is working. The OE spec on your tstat has an opening degree at 192 to 195. So if you see your CHT/ECT with a degree above 200 then there is a problem. It should settle at around 195 degree. After 20 minutes driving it also shouldn't be below 170.

Pinpoint Test list below:




And Pinpoint E shown below:


Pinpoint R shown below:


It mentions about possible low oil pressure as well, so check your dipstick and top it off accordingly. Pinpoint-D.pdf below.
Note yours is NOT always or never on, so you probably don't need to go thru pinpoint R.





Locate C103 above.

 

it looks like it was just low on oil. I added a quart of oil and light stopped coming on. When i do an oil change(1st one since i bought the van) this wkend i'll have to see how much oil is in the motor.

 

Before doing any oil change this weekend I suggest you to:
1) Check for any possible motor oil leaks, if not your van is burning oil (that's how oil disappeared) in high mileage which is normal.
2) To reduce oil consumption you need to do a piston soak (using berryman 0116) and run berryman 2611, assuming your valve seals are still okay
Not sure about your mechanic skill level, if you can't handle piston soak just forget it and you should run berryman 2611, you apply the bottle with a small tube thru the throttle body.
3) Then you do oil change and preferably a flush as well, you don't want 2611 and/or 0116 (if piston soak) in your oil pan and causing hydrolock to your engine. Your previous owner might be using 5W20, I suggest you to use 5W30 extended high mileage from Mobil One and use oil filter. 5W30 will help much better than 5W20 when your van has high oil consumption.
4) Replace your spark plugs whether or not you done the piston soak, if you do the piston soak then you need 2 oil changes. First one immediately after piston soak. If you decide to do just 2611 then do it twice on the 1st year, then once per year.

After oil change pour a bottle of Berryman 2616 when fuel tank almost empty, then fill up about 17 gallon (assuming you have single tank). On your next fill up a bottle of Berryman 0116 at 17 gallon.

If you don't have any maintenance records from the previous owner you know you need other fluid changes.

 

I have a '97 E150 with the 5.4L. Just so you know, it takes 6 quarts of oil, not the usual 5 qts. I have to remind my service guys every time or they change my oil and send me home a quart low!