Replaced air filter - now service engine light on

[zx2goon]

Hi all.

Recently replaced air filter in 1998 zx-2 - The first time I started her up afterword, she ran really, really rough - couldn't drive her. Shut her down, checked for messed up hoses, connections, nothing. Tried starting her again, and it got better - ran fairly well - Thought maybe the computer needed to get used to the clean filter (the one I replaced was stuffed full of dirt). After a couple more starts, she ran fine - has been running fine ever since, but the service engine soon light has been on since I replaced the filter. HELP!

[proceniram]

Maybe one of your sensors went bad and there for tripped your service engine light.

[zx2srdotnet]

maybe you got stuff on your MAF sensor, thats a comon problem, if you reset the computer (disconnected battery) it will run ruff for aobut 1 min or 2

[eyesonly54]

I've been having a similar problem and had a diagnostic ran. It showed that my throttle position sensor was bad and needed to be replaced.

Now, I just have to figure out how to replace it. LOL.

[Hodo]

What airfilter did you put on. If it is a incorect filter, or a oiled air filter, WILL ruin the mass air flow sensor (MAF). Trust me Fords are pretty bad about the MAF, it can be real twitchy over what kind of air filter you use.

[zx2srdotnet]

ummm if oiled correctly(most come pre-oiled) a oiled filter WILL NOT ruin the MAF, and its not twitchy at all as long as you know how to not over oil

[Hodo]

Zx2srdotnet, thats the key if you dont over oil them. Some can get over oiled prior to install, some could just have had a possible film or a junk on the inside of the filter that may blow off into the MAF. It could also be that something else ended up in the pipe while the filter was off. And yes the MAF on that car is that twichy, had some bad experiance with some oiled filters.