95 taurus check engine light

[crazyduetoiowa]

I recently bought a 95 taurus with 90k and a the 3.0 v-6. In the about two weeks ago on the way to work the check engine light came on for about 5-10 secs then turn back off. The owners man says that if it does that the problem has been sloved. So i just ignored it. Today it did the same thing twice, all three times it seems to be when im going around 45mph and coasting and not giving it gas..... Any Ideas?

Thanks Derek

[shorod]

Did the car do anything abnormal when the Check Engine Light (CEL) came on?

Since you mention the light came on for 5-10 seconds, a code was probably set. You local auto parts store MAY be able to pull the troublecodes from your OBD-I system. Otherwise you can jumper a couple of terminals in the EEC connector and have the CEL flash out the codes.

You will be looking for a code stored in the Key On, Engine Off (KOEO) memory.

I see you're also in Cedar Rapids. If you can't find someone to read the codes and don't want to attempt jumpering the EEC pins, private message me and we can throw my scan tool on it.

I'm currently on travel and will be on travel again mid next week, but could probably find some time between trips to hook the scan tool up.

-Rod

[crazyduetoiowa]

I did not notice any abnormal behavior. I work at the Toyota Dealership (detailing) and they said that i would have to take it to ford becuase it wasnt untill 96 that they did the universal code system. The only I can think of is last weekend i started it to go somewhere and it idled rough and died, it did that twice then ran fine. But the light had come on about a week prior to that. I just hate to drive it and cuase further damage. I know the basics about cars but am by no means a mechanic! Thanks Derek

[shorod]

The dealership is correct in the sense that 96 is when OBD-II was mandated in the US, but that does not mean that only the Ford dealer can read the codes. You can do it at home if you want. I'm sure if you search this forum, you can find the procedure to do so. If you don't have any luck finding it, let me know and I can dig it up when I'm home.

When's the last time you had the car tuned up? Do you use fuel injector cleaner regularly? Think you could talk one of the Toyota techs to check the EGR valve quickly with a vacuum pump?

-Rod

[crazyduetoiowa]

Ive only had it 3 months, but the elderly couple that owned it before had everything done when the manual said to. I just put fuel injector cleaner in this tank of gas after the rough idle. I get the oil changed here in about a week so ill be sure to ask about the EGR valve when that gets done. So far the light hasnt come on at all today. Thanks for all your help. Derek

[way2old]

See if you can open this site. It tells how to access the codes and what they pertain to.

[rc06]

Go to Advanced Auto, they will read and reset the code for free

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by rc06

Go to Advanced Auto, they will read and reset the code for free

Some can and some can not on OBD1 system.
But as with anything free.
Use Caution when getting the free code checks please.
Some parts places do offer free code checks. And also free repair advice. But beware. Just get the code no and post it back here and someone will help you.
They offer the free code checks in the hope of increasing there parts sales.
Almost all of them will also offer mechanical advice and some know what they are doing.
But just remember most of them are parts people pulling codes for free.
Not trained professional tech/mechanics. Even if they pull a 02-sensor code or another sensor related code it does always mean to replace that sensor and your problem will be fixed.
Please just get the code no and post it back here and we will help you.

[crazyduetoiowa]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

Some can and some can not on OBD1 system.
But as with anything free.
Use Caution when getting the free code checks please.
Some parts places do offer free code checks. And also free repair advice. But beware. Just get the code no and post it back here and someone will help you.
They offer the free code checks in the hope of increasing there parts sales.
Almost all of them will also offer mechanical advice and some know what they are doing.
But just remember most of them are parts people pulling codes for free.
Not trained professional tech/mechanics. Even if they pull a 02-sensor code or another sensor related code it does always mean to replace that sensor and your problem will be fixed.
Please just get the code no and post it back here and we will help you.

It stoped coming on so i didnt get it checked. Now last week it came on a few times. I am told that it being a 95 they wont have the proper tool at like auto zone to check it. It seems to come on with no real pattern. It comes on for only 5 secs and goes off, engine temp, speed, gas, no gas, coasting, cruise on and off. it has come on under each of these. Nothing changes either when it comes on, no slipping, loss of power or anything. Should i even really be concered?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by crazyduetoiowa

It stoped coming on so i didnt get it checked. Now last week it came on a few times. I am told that it being a 95 they wont have the proper tool at like auto zone to check it. It seems to come on with no real pattern. It comes on for only 5 secs and goes off, engine temp, speed, gas, no gas, coasting, cruise on and off. it has come on under each of these. Nothing changes either when it comes on, no slipping, loss of power or anything. Should i even really be concered?

Well if the light is coming on you have a problem.
That is the reason they put that light on there.
Coming on and going off is not as bad as staying on all of the time.
It should be checked to see what is up.
But as Way2old posted you can check it out your self.
If you want to get the code post it back and someone will help
Good Luck