check engine light

My g/f has a ford aspire and the check engine light keeps blinking and then coming on.The isnt any difference in the way it drives besides a little louder. I have done everything i can think of.Any suggestions on what to do and check?


thanx

get something besides a ford!!! other than that just get it scoped! so many problems with fords youll need a pro to figure it out!

lol.i agree.im a chevy guy but my g/f had to have this car.

If you get a manual like Haynes it should have a section on check engine light codes. You should be able to get the codes from the blinking check engine light.

On my Jeep Grand Cherokee, I turn the key off and on 3 times and then the light starts blinking. Count the number times it blinks and then look that number up in the manual.

I don't have much experience in Ford's but I'm sure they have a different, but similar, way of doing things. The manual should be able to explain it to you.

Now if the light blinks while you're driving that usually indicates a serious problem and engine damage is occuring.

Check engine lights are ALWAYS an emissions related issue. It can indicate a larger, more pressing issue. For instance it can indicate something as simple as an air pump failure (which does nothing for drivability, only tailpipe emissions) or it can indicate an O2 sensor parameter (which can be caused by one of a dozen things some of which can be harmful to everyday driving.)

Get a manual, check the codes, and if you don't live in smogville, leave it alone.

Check engine lights are ALWAYS an emissions related issue.

Get a manual, check the codes, and if you don't live in smogville, leave it alone.
I hate to be picky, but this is usually not the case.
The check engine light is a very simple indication of any number of problems in the vehicles electronic controls system.
Most problems affect vehicle fuel economy, driveability, and safety, not just emissions.
Ignoring the light IS NOT A GOOD IDEA.
An O 2 sensor problem can result in an overly rich mixture (too much fuel) which, at best will ruin your catalytic converter, (melting the ceramic structure inside) and, at worst, severely overheat it and set your car on fire.
Get the system scanned and diagnosed, then decide.

That change in fuel economy, driveability, and safety, as MagicRat mentioned, is directly caused by a fault in the emissions system. That's all the check engine light has to do with it.

The self diagnostic feature that blindside.AMG mentioned was included on some years and models of Daimler-Chrysler OBD-II vehicles. However, other than that, I do not believe it is a common feature with other manufacturers. Unless you are blessed with this feature, you will need to get the codes read by someone with the proper equipment to do so.