Check Engine Light

The check engine light on my car comes on intermittently. It typically comes on when I am runnin between 45-55 for an extended period of time (5-10 min) and it will stay on for a few min. then go off. I just recently had the alternator replaced but the light came on even before then. I haven't taken it to a dealership or mechanic yet because I really don't care to spend money for somethin i don't need.

You gotta get the car scanned to find what code is stored in the 'putor. That will give you a very good clue as to where the problem is. I suspect it is your oxygen sensor. Unattended, the vehicle will consume more gas than normal. Take it to autozone and get the codes pulled out.

Originally posted by pcv
You gotta get the car scanned to find what code is stored in the 'putor. That will give you a very good clue as to where the problem is. I suspect it is your oxygen sensor. Unattended, the vehicle will consume more gas than normal. Take it to autozone and get the codes pulled out. thats exactly wat i was gonna say, happend to my car and on my moms contour GL , both were caused by the oxygen sensor. for now to get it off dissconnect your battery for about 10 seconds to reset it, or have autozine do it for u.
jsoh

I've also had a whirring sort of noise when the car is runnin at about 45 or so. It sounds like it's coming from the driver's side. Could that have something to do with the oxygen sensor also?

Originally posted by patrickkdunn
I've also had a whirring sort of noise when the car is runnin at about 45 or so. It sounds like it's coming from the driver's side. Could that have something to do with the oxygen sensor also? wat engine do u haev the 2 liter or 2.5? and explain it a littl emore and i might be able to help.
josh

I've got the 2.5 L V6 engine. The noise only comes when the car is runnin about 45-55. And it sounds like a lot of air rushing through the engine. Hince the whirring sound that i get. And i'm curious if the check engine light might have something to do with that.

Originally posted by patrickkdunn
I've got the 2.5 L V6 engine. The noise only comes when the car is runnin about 45-55. And it sounds like a lot of air rushing through the engine. Hince the whirring sound that i get. And i'm curious if the check engine light might have something to do with that.

Could be the 'infamous moosing' problem from the IAC valve. If its the same problem, it usually occurs on cold start up's and the rpm's usually bounce up and down until it stops.

I haven't noticed any real changes in the RPMs... they run pretty steady idle around 900 or so. They peak at about 1200 when the car first starts but that is immediately after the start and settle down to 900. I didn't think of this before but I think it might be the Mass Airflow sensor. Because I noticed the noise after I changed the air filter. I had to remove the plug going to the mass airflow sensor to get the intake housing off and remove the air filter. My car has the circular SVT intake on it (cone filter). I'm wondering if the sensor may have got a short or is just going bad because it sounds like the car is either lettin too much air in or not enough air. And maybe that is what is doing it?

Contour ... bad news ....

I've had the check engine light illuminated for about 2 years now. I've had the oxygen sensors replaced twice on this car and now they need to be done again. I was considering NOT replacing them this time because it's expensive and irritating, yet I need to have my car smogged in order to renew my license plate tags. This was obviously a bad design and should be recalled or at least covered.

i dont know if this helps or not but my moms 96 was doing the same thing and we took it in and they said a sensor for the check engine light was bad and they replaced it and we didnt have any problem with it again. but now on my 98 im having the same problem again so i would say its definately a flawed design

i dont know if this helps or not but my moms 96 was doing the same thing and we took it in and they said a sensor for the check engine light was bad and they replaced it and we didnt have any problem with it again. but now on my 98 im having the same problem again so i would say its definately a flawed design

:iceslolan :iceslolan :iceslolan
Those damn check engine light sensors.

two words for Ford's and CEL's...


"Bulb amputation"

good to see that this is a 3 year old thread. :disappoin