95 escort potential problem

Hi...I bought a 95 escort 2 weeks ago that really seemed to be a good deal ...It had one owner and that was the county of Los Angeles so it was well taken care of and had low mileage ...but now even though it seems to be running perfect the check engine light is coming on and staying on...I took it to 2 different places for a dignostic and they cannot find anything wrong with the car...Is this possible? I am sort of a worry wort so I would appreciate some input from you guys...Not to be politically incorrect but I'm jst a girl so my knowledge about cars is somewhat limited....Thanks much ...Cookie

Had same problem with my 97 Escort LX. Twice I took it to the dealer. They 'fixed' it, but the check engine light came back within a week or two. It passed state emissions test. Kept driving with the light on for 6 months without a problem. When I took in in for 60k mile checkup they replaced the oxygen sensor. The light hasn't come on since; 17 months / 15k miles. Apparently the first two attempts the dealer did a half ass job. From what I could research about Escorts the check engine light could be something serious, or as minor as a bad oxygen sensor.

Thanks alot...Maybe I should take it back to the mechanic and suggest that it might be the oxygen sensor....I hope that is it and not something more serious..Thanks for your time

Elsewhere in the Escort forum someone else with the same year and make as my Escort had the check engine light come on because of a bad gas cap (seal). Probably messing up the fuel/air mixture being read by the oxygen sensor.

It is probobly nothing serious, If there is a "AutoZone" in your erea they check codes for free.
More than likely you just have a bad sensor.
Same thing happend to me after I first got my Escort.

Hey you guys I really appreciate your help...I am going to auto zone right now to see what is wrong..It is running absolutely fine so I cant imagine that it is serious..I will let you know ok? Thanks again

Originally posted by cookie2cute
Hey you guys I really appreciate your help...I am going to auto zone right now to see what is wrong..It is running absolutely fine so I cant imagine that it is serious..I will let you know ok? Thanks again
OK , Good luck :bigthumb:

be forewarned, most autozone employees are idiots when it come sto diagnosing OBD-I ford cars and trucks.

its tricky, quite tricky to do right. since i work at AZ, and am a ford guy, im the one they always call to do the diagnostic checks.

out of 3 stores, im one of 2 people that know how to do it.