Check Engine Light On in Bowie, TX? Steady vs. Flashing and What Comes Next

Service | Bowie, TX Why heat wears out batteries, the signs that show up in August, and how to tell a weak battery from a bad alternator or starter. Most batteries that quit in North Texas quit for a reason that started months earlier. A June and July of 100 degree afternoons, with the truck parked in the sun at a job site or the sale barn, wears the inside of a battery down even when it seems to start fine every morning. Then one August afternoon it clicks instead of cranking, often somewhere inconvenient, like a parking lot in Wichita Falls with the kids in the back seat. August is a good month to get ahead of it, so we'll go through what heat does to a battery and what we check when you bring it to our service drive in Bowie. Quick answer: Heat speeds up the wear inside a car battery, so late summer is when a lot of them give out. Slow cranking, dim lights at idle, corrosion on the terminals or a battery that's several years old are good reasons to get it tested. Kory Hooks Ford's service department at 6486 US Hwy 287 North in Bowie tests and replaces batteries on Fords and other makes. At a glance Service line 940-338-0013 Parts counter opens 7 AM weekdays Service hours Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 5 PM In this post Why does Texas heat wear out car batteries? What are the signs my battery is going bad? Is it the battery, the alternator or the starter? What happens during a battery test at Kory Hooks Ford? Why do newer Ford trucks need the right battery? Questions drivers ask Why does Texas heat wear out car batteries? A car battery makes power through a chemical reaction, and heat speeds that reaction up. That also speeds up wear on the plates inside and can evaporate the fluid. Under the hood on a July afternoon, a battery is working in a hot box. The damage doesn't show right away. Heat weakens the battery over the summer, and the failure often comes later, on the first cool morning in fall. That's why a battery that seemed fine in July can leave you stuck in October. Short trips make it worse. A run from the house to the feed store and back may not give the alternator enough time to fully recharge what the starter used. What are the signs my battery is going bad? The most common sign is a slow crank. The engine turns over lazily before it catches. Dim headlights at idle or a radio that resets can point the same way. Age matters too. Many batteries last somewhere around three to five years, and in hot climates the low end of that range is common. If yours is getting up there and you don't know when it was last tested, it's due. Clicking with no crank: the battery may be too weak to turn the starter, or the starter itself may be failing. White or blue crust on the terminals: corrosion can block current. Don't scrape it with bare hands, since battery acid burns. Swollen or cracked case: heat damage. Have it replaced and don't try to jump it. Bowie driver tip If your truck sits in an open pasture or a gravel lot off US 287 all day, park nose toward the shade when you can, even a little. A cooler engine bay helps. And if the truck only makes short runs into town, take the long way home on State Highway 59 once a week so the alternator can catch up. Is it the battery, the alternator or the starter? These three get blamed for each other all the time. The battery stores power, the starter uses it to turn the engine over, and the alternator recharges the battery once the engine is running. A few clues help. If a jump start gets you going and the vehicle runs fine until the next morning, the battery is the usual suspect. If it dies again while you're driving, or the lights flicker and dim as you go, look at the alternator. One loud click with plenty of battery power, or a grinding noise when you turn the key, often points to the starter. The battery warning light is a little misleading. It usually means the charging system isn't putting out what it should, which can be the alternator, a belt or wiring. Alternators, starters and batteries are all on our service department list, so one visit can sort it out. Book a battery test Order a battery What happens during a battery test at Kory Hooks Ford? A battery test takes the guessing out of it. Our Ford trained technicians check the whole starting and charging system, since a new battery won't last long if the alternator behind it is weak. The usual order: 1 Look it over Check the case, terminals and cables for corrosion, cracks, swelling or loose clamps. 2 Test the battery A tester measures how well the battery holds a charge and delivers power under load. 3 Check the charging system With the engine running, the alternator output and the belt that drives it get checked. 4 Check the starter if needed If the battery passes but cranking is still slow, the starter is next. 5 Go over the results Your service advisor tells you what passed, what failed and what can wait. Heat weakens the battery over the summer, and the failure often comes later, on the first cool morning in fall. If the battery needs replacing, we'll match it to what your vehicle calls for. That matters more on newer trucks than it used to. Why do newer Ford trucks need the right battery? Newer trucks ask a lot more of a battery. Many have Auto Start-Stop, which shuts the engine off at a light and restarts it when you lift off the brake. That means many more starts per day than an older truck sees, and those systems are usually built around a specific type of battery, often an AGM battery, made for that kind of cycling. Then there's everything else that draws power: big touchscreens, heated seats, cameras, and modules that stay awake after you lock the doors. The wrong battery can mean warning messages, Auto Start-Stop that quits working, or a short life for the new battery. Some newer vehicles also need the system told that a new battery went in, so the truck charges it correctly. The right battery type and size for your model is listed in the owner's manual, and our parts counter can look it up by VIN if you plan to do it yourself. Book it your way Online, by phone, or from your driveway Book a battery test online, call 940-338-0013, or set up Ford Pickup & Delivery for an eligible Ford and we'll pick it up at home or work, service it at the dealership and bring it back. Pickup & Delivery is complimentary, parts and repairs are billed as usual, and a vehicle that won't start needs a roadside call instead. How Pickup & Delivery works Battery Life Questions How long does a car battery last in Texas? + Many last around three to five years, and heat tends to push them toward the short end. Driving habits, short trips and the electrical load on the vehicle all play a part. Does cold weather or hot weather kill batteries faster? + Heat does more of the damage. Cold just exposes it, because a weak battery has a harder time cranking a cold engine, so the failure often shows up on the first chilly morning. Can a battery die from sitting too long? + It can. Modern vehicles draw a little power even when they're off, so a truck parked for a couple of weeks may not start. A battery maintainer helps if it sits often. Jump Start and Roadside Questions Is it safe to jump start my own vehicle? + Follow the steps in your owner's manual, since some newer vehicles have specific jump points under the hood. A swollen, cracked or leaking battery should never be jumped. Should I replace a battery after one jump start? + Not automatically. Lights left on can drain a healthy battery. If it needed a jump with no clear cause, have it tested. My vehicle won't start at all. Can you pick it up? + Ford Pickup & Delivery is for vehicles that can be driven, so a no start needs a roadside event or a tow. Once it's here, our technicians can find the cause. Battery Service at Kory Hooks Ford Do you replace batteries on vehicles that aren't Fords? + The service department works on Fords and other makes. Call 940-338-0013 and tell them what you drive. How long does a battery test take? + The test itself doesn't take long. Book an appointment so the technician has time to check the alternator and starter too if the battery isn't the whole story. Can I buy a battery and install it myself? + You can. The parts department opens at 7 AM on weekdays and can match the right battery to your vehicle. Check your owner's manual for any reset steps after the swap. Battery Care Questions How do I keep my battery terminals clean? + Look at them at each oil change. Light corrosion can be cleaned with the right tools and gloves, and a technician can clean and protect them during service. Do accessories like light bars drain the battery? + Anything wired straight to the battery can draw power with the truck off if it's not installed right. A slow drain test can track down the source. Will a bad battery hurt my alternator? + A weak battery can make the alternator work harder, so testing both at the same visit makes sense. Starting Problem Questions Why does my truck crank fine some days and slow on others? + A battery on its way out often struggles after the truck sits overnight or in the heat, then seems fine after a long drive. Inconsistent starts are a reason to test it now. What does a ticking sound when I turn the key mean? + Rapid ticking or clicking often means there isn't enough power reaching the starter. It could be a weak battery, a loose or corroded cable, or the starter. Why did my Auto Start-Stop stop working? + Many vehicles turn the feature off when the battery is low or aging, to protect your ability to restart. A battery test is a good first step. Check the service specials Current service offers before you book. View specials Ask before you book Reach the service, parts or sales team. Contact us

Service | Bowie, TX The early signs of a cooling problem, what a coolant service and pressure test involve, and what to do when the engine overheats on a hot Texas road. Watch the temperature gauge for a week in July and you'll learn what normal looks like on your vehicle. On most, the needle settles in one spot and stays put in a drive through line in Decatur and at highway speed on US 287. When it starts to wander, the cooling system is telling you something. Texas heat finds weak spots fast. A hose that's been fine since spring can split on a hundred degree afternoon, and a slow radiator seep can turn into steam on the shoulder. Below are the warning signs, what a cooling visit looks like at our Bowie shop, and how to handle an overheat safely. Quick answer: A temperature gauge that creeps up, a sweet syrupy smell, colored puddles under the front, or steam from under the hood all point to the cooling system. Book a check soon. If the engine overheats while you're driving, pull over safely, shut it off and never open a hot radiator cap. Kory Hooks Ford in Bowie handles cooling system and radiator repair on Fords and other makes. At a glance Service line 940-338-0013 Service hours Mon to Fri, 8 AM to 5 PM Find us US Hwy 287 North in Bowie In this post What are the signs of a cooling system problem? Why does Texas heat push cooling systems so hard? What happens during a coolant service and pressure test? What should I do if my engine overheats on the road? How can I keep my cooling system healthy through summer? Questions drivers ask What are the signs of a cooling system problem? The gauge is usually the first clue. A needle that sits higher than normal, climbs in traffic and drops on the highway, or swings on its own means the system isn't moving heat the way it should. Coolant has a sweet, syrupy smell, and catching it through the vents often means a small leak is dripping on something hot. Coolant puddles are usually brightly colored and slick. Clear water under the front on a hot day is normally AC condensation. Gauge climbing above normal: ease off, turn off the AC, and pull over if it keeps rising. Sweet smell inside the cab: coolant may be leaking near the heater core or onto hot engine parts. Colored puddle under the front: a hose, the radiator or the water pump may be leaking. Steam from under the hood: pull over safely, shut the engine off and leave the hood closed until it cools. Reservoir level keeps dropping: the coolant is going somewhere. Book a pressure test. Why does Texas heat push cooling systems so hard? A cooling system pulls heat out of the engine and dumps it into the air through the radiator. When it's near a hundred degrees outside, there's less room to dump it. Add the AC condenser sitting in front of the radiator and stop and go traffic, and the system has almost no slack left. Hoses and belts dry out and crack, and the plastic tanks on many radiators get brittle with age. Trucks that tow a boat to Lake Nocona or haul hay out past Sunset work even harder and tend to overheat first. Bowie driver tip If you drive US 287 between Bowie and Wichita Falls, glance at the gauge on the long open stretches and again in traffic at the other end. A needle that holds steady at highway speed but climbs at a red light in town is a classic early sign of a fan or airflow problem. Request a cooling system check See what our service covers What happens during a coolant service and pressure test? The visit starts with finding the problem before anything gets replaced. On a Ford or any other make, it usually goes like this: 1 Ask and listen Your advisor asks when the gauge climbs, what you smell and where the drips show up. 2 Inspect it cold A technician checks coolant level and condition, hoses, clamps, belts and the radiator. 3 Pressure test A tester pressurizes the system so small leaks show up as drips or a falling gauge. 4 Check the moving parts The water pump, thermostat, fans and radiator cap get checked, since any of them can cause overheating. 5 Go over the findings You hear what failed and what can wait before any work starts. A coolant service drains the old coolant and refills with the type your owner's manual calls for. Coolant loses its corrosion protection over time, and mixing the wrong types can cause trouble. Cooling system and radiator repair is on our service list with belts, hoses and fluid checks. Our technicians are Ford trained, and if a part is needed, our parts department orders it. What should I do if my engine overheats on the road? Get the load off the engine first and turn the AC off. Then turn the heater to full hot with the fan on high. It sounds backward, but it pulls some heat out of the engine and into the cab. It's miserable in July, and it can buy you the distance to a safe place to stop. Pull off well clear of traffic and shut the engine off. Then leave the radiator cap and the coolant reservoir cap alone. A hot cooling system is under pressure, and opening it can spray scalding coolant. Waiting for it to cool all the way can take a long while in summer heat, so stay in the shade if you can. Once everything is cool, a quick look for a split hose is fine. Don't keep driving a vehicle that keeps overheating. Running hot can warp the cylinder head or damage the head gasket, which turns a hose job into a much bigger repair. Call for roadside help. How can I keep my cooling system healthy through summer? Most of it is looking. Check the coolant reservoir with the engine cold every few fill ups, and if you keep adding coolant, find out why. With the engine cold, squeeze the big radiator hoses and have any mushy or swollen one looked at. Don't keep driving a vehicle that keeps overheating. Keep the front of the radiator clear as well. Grass seed, bugs and dried mud from Montague County roads pack into the fins and cut airflow. Follow the coolant interval in your owner's manual instead of waiting for a problem, and check the current service specials before you book. Book it your way Book online, call, or have us pick it up Request a cooling system check online, call 940-338-0013, or use complimentary Ford Pickup & Delivery for an eligible Ford, and we'll pick it up at home or work, service it at the dealership and bring it back. A vehicle that has overheated and can't run isn't eligible and needs roadside help first, and parts and repairs are billed as usual. How Pickup & Delivery works Coolant Questions What color should coolant be? + That depends on the type. Coolant comes in several colors, and color alone doesn't tell you which kind you have. Brown or murky coolant is past due. Can I just add water to my radiator? + In a pinch, water can get you to a shop, but it thins out the coolant's protection. Have the mix corrected afterward, and only add fluid when the engine is cool. How often should coolant be replaced? + Your owner's manual lists the interval, and it varies by vehicle and coolant type. Towing and hard summer use are good reasons to check it more often. Radiator and Parts Questions Can a leaking radiator be repaired instead of replaced? + Sometimes. A leak at a fitting or hose can often be fixed, but a cracked plastic tank usually means a new radiator. A pressure test tells you which. What does a thermostat do? + It stays closed while the engine warms up, then opens to send coolant to the radiator. Stuck closed, it can cause overheating. Stuck open, the heater runs weak. Do stop leak products work? + They can slow some small leaks for a while, but they can also clog small passages in the radiator and heater core. Fixing the leak is the safer bet. Overheating Symptom Questions Why does my engine run hot only when the AC is on? + The AC adds heat in front of the radiator and load on the engine. A weak cooling fan, a clogged radiator or low coolant is often to blame. Why does my heater blow cold air? + Low coolant, a stuck thermostat, a clogged heater core or a blend door problem can all cause it. Since low coolant is on that list, get it checked soon. Is white smoke from the exhaust a cooling problem? + It can be. Thick white smoke with a sweet smell can mean coolant is getting into the engine, often from a head gasket issue. A little vapor on a cool morning is normal. Cooling Service at Kory Hooks Ford Do you repair radiators on vehicles other than Fords? + The service department handles Fords and other makes. Call 940-338-0013 and describe the vehicle and what it's doing. Can I drive my vehicle in if it's overheating? + Don't drive it far. Call for roadside help to bring it to 6486 US Hwy 287 North in Bowie, and call the service line so we know it's coming. What days is the service department open? + Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Service is closed on weekends, so request a weekday appointment online or by phone. Cost and Planning Questions How can I keep cooling system repairs small? + Catch leaks early. A hose or clamp is a small job, and an engine that ran hot for miles is not. Watch the gauge and the driveway. Should hoses and belts be replaced along with the radiator? + Often, if they're aging, since the system is already drained. Your advisor will show you their condition and you decide. Can Ford Pickup & Delivery take my Ford in for cooling work? + For an eligible Ford that still runs safely, it can, based on availability and distance. Parts and repair charges still apply, and a vehicle that can't run needs a roadside event instead. Ask about a leak Send the service department a message and we'll follow up. Contact us Know who you're calling Meet the people behind the service line. Our staff

Service | Bowie, TX Why your AC blows warm, smells funny or makes noise, and what an AC check involves before the hot months show up. In Bowie, May is the easy month to get an AC problem fixed. Once June brings the first 100 degree afternoons, service drives across North Texas fill up with drivers whose vents just started blowing warm, and nobody wants to wait in a truck that feels like an oven. Most AC trouble gives you a hint first. The air takes longer to get cold, the fan sounds weaker, or there's a smell when you first turn it on. Each of those points somewhere specific. The heater shares the same box behind the dash, so it gets a look too. Quick answer: Warm air from the vents usually means low refrigerant from a leak, a compressor or clutch problem, or an electrical fault. Weak airflow often points to a clogged cabin air filter or a blower issue, and a musty smell is usually moisture and growth in the system. Kory Hooks Ford's service department in Bowie handles AC and heater service on Fords and other makes, Monday through Friday. At a glance Service line 940-338-0013 Open weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM Service drive 6486 US Hwy 287 North In this post Why is my car AC blowing warm air? What causes weak airflow or a bad smell from the vents? Is a noisy AC compressor something to worry about? How do the heater core and blend door fit into AC service? What happens during an AC check at Kory Hooks Ford? Questions drivers ask Why is my car AC blowing warm air? The most common reason is low refrigerant, and refrigerant doesn't get used up. If it's low, it leaked out somewhere, usually at a seal, a hose fitting, the condenser up front or the evaporator behind the dash. Adding more without finding the leak only buys a little time. The other big cause is the compressor. It's driven by the engine through a belt, and if the clutch won't engage or the compressor itself is wearing out, the system can't move refrigerant. A blown fuse, a bad relay or a pressure switch can cause the same symptom, which is why a test beats a guess. Pay attention to when it happens. Air that's cold on the highway but warm at a stoplight in Decatur can point to airflow across the condenser, like a cooling fan that isn't kicking on. Air that's warm all the time points more toward refrigerant or the compressor. What causes weak airflow or a bad smell from the vents? Weak airflow is often the cabin air filter. It catches dust, pollen and leaves before they reach you, and on trucks that see a lot of gravel and caliche roads it can clog well before the interval in the manual. A blower motor or resistor that's failing can also drop the fan to one speed or none. A musty, locker room smell when you first turn on the air usually comes from moisture sitting on the evaporator. Mold and bacteria grow there in the dark, and the fan pushes the smell into the cab. A sweet smell is different. That can mean a coolant leak at the heater core, and you shouldn't ignore it. Sweet smell or a foggy windshield: coolant may be leaking from the heater core. Have it checked soon. Grinding or squealing when the AC kicks on: the compressor or its clutch may be failing. Turn the AC off and book service. Water on the passenger floor: the evaporator drain may be plugged, or the heater core may be leaking. AC works, then quits on hot afternoons: a fan, relay or pressure switch may be cutting the system out. Is a noisy AC compressor something to worry about? It can be. A light click when the AC turns on is normal, since that's the clutch engaging. A rattle, a grind or a squeal that starts with the AC and stops when you shut it off points to the compressor, its clutch or the belt that drives it. Don't keep running it. A compressor that's coming apart can send debris through the rest of the system, and then the repair gets much bigger. Shut the AC off, use the vents, and book a check. On many vehicles the same belt runs other parts too, so a belt problem can turn into more than an AC problem. Bowie driver tip If you park outside all day at a job site near Jacksboro or a ball field in Wichita Falls, crack the windows and run the fan on fresh air for a minute before you hit max AC. The system has less heat to fight and cools the cab faster. Book AC service Meet our service department How do the heater core and blend door fit into AC service? Your AC and heater share the same box behind the dash. The heater core is a small radiator that warms the air with engine coolant, and the blend door is a flap that mixes hot and cold air to hit the temperature you set. When either one acts up, the AC can seem broken even when it isn't. A blend door that's stuck can leave you with warm air on one side and cold on the other, or hot air in July no matter where the dial sits. A clicking or tapping behind the dash when you change the temperature often means the small motor that moves the door is failing. Heater cores tend to show up as a sweet smell, a damp passenger floor or a film on the inside of the windshield. Checking both sides now saves you a second trip when the first cold front rolls through in the fall. What happens during an AC check at Kory Hooks Ford? Adding more without finding the leak only buys a little time. Our Ford trained technicians work through the system in order, so the fix matches the cause. You'll hear what we found before any repair starts. 1 Listen to your description When it happens, what you hear and smell, and whether it's worse at idle or on the road. 2 Measure performance Vent temperature and system pressures show how well the AC is working right now. 3 Look for the cause Leaks, compressor and clutch, belt, fans, filter, blend door and electrical parts get checked. 4 Go over it with you Your service advisor explains what needs fixing now and what can wait. The shop lists air conditioning and heater service next to belts, hoses, fluids and general repair, and handles Fords and other makes. Check the current service specials before your visit. Book it your way Stay cool while we handle it Request a time online, call 940-338-0013, or use Ford Pickup & Delivery and we'll pick up your Ford at home or work, service it at the dealership and bring it back. Pickup & Delivery is complimentary for eligible Fords, based on availability and distance, and parts and repairs are billed as usual. How Pickup & Delivery works AC Cooling Questions Can I just recharge my AC myself? + Store bought cans add refrigerant but don't find the leak, and overfilling can hurt the system. A technician can measure pressures and track down where it's escaping. How long should a car AC take to get cold? + On a hot Texas afternoon, most systems should blow noticeably cool air within a few minutes of driving. If it never gets there, have it tested. Why does my AC work on the highway but not at idle? + That often points to airflow across the condenser, like a cooling fan that isn't running, or a refrigerant level that's borderline. Smells and Moisture How can I keep my AC from smelling musty? + A few minutes before you park, turn off the AC and leave the fan running. That dries out the evaporator so less grows on it. Replacing the cabin air filter on time helps too. Is water dripping under my truck normal? + Clear water under the passenger side on a humid day is usually condensation draining from the AC, and that's normal. Water inside the cab is not. Why does my windshield fog up with a greasy film? + A film that's hard to wipe off can come from a leaking heater core. Have the heater side checked. Heater Questions Why is my heater blowing cold air? + Low coolant, a stuck blend door, a clogged heater core or a thermostat that stays open are common causes. A technician can narrow it down. What's that clicking behind my dash? + A repeating click or tap, especially when you change the temperature or vent setting, often comes from a blend door motor that's wearing out. Should I get the heater checked in spring? + Checking it during the AC visit is easy, since they share the same system, and it saves a second trip once fall weather shows up. AC Service at Kory Hooks Ford Do you repair AC on vehicles that aren't Fords? + Kory Hooks Ford's service department works on Fords and other makes. Call 940-338-0013 to check on your vehicle. Is the service department open on Saturday? + No. Service runs Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and is closed on weekends. How do I book an AC appointment? + Use the online service appointment form, call the service line, or stop by the service drive on US Hwy 287 North in Bowie. Keeping the AC Healthy How often should I replace the cabin air filter? + Your owner's manual gives the interval for your model. Dusty roads and pollen season can clog it sooner, so ask to see it at your next oil change. Should I run the AC in winter? + Running it now and then, like when you use defrost, keeps the seals lubricated. Many vehicles do this automatically on defrost. Can Ford Pickup & Delivery be used for AC service? + For eligible Fords, Pickup & Delivery covers getting the vehicle to and from the dealership, based on availability and distance. Parts and repair charges still apply. Save on your visit See current service and parts offers before you book. View service specials Ask us before you book Send a note to the service department and we'll get back to you. Contact us