99 cougar engine light

[sewamania]

I have a 99 cougar. My engine light stays on all the time. It used to go out periodically but now stays on all the time. What is the problem with this? My car seems to be running fine but I don't want to damage it if it is something that needs my immediate attention. Any clues as to why it stays on? Thanks

[cougar_2000]

Originally Posted by sewamania

I have a 99 cougar. My engine light stays on all the time. It used to go out periodically but now stays on all the time. What is the problem with this? My car seems to be running fine but I don't want to damage it if it is something that needs my immediate attention. Any clues as to why it stays on? Thanks

I service book says that if youran out of fuel or was low on fuel or had bad fuel in your car it will stay on untill you fill it up and it also something could be wrong with your cal. converter

[beyondloadedSE]

02 sensor...go to autozone and check for sure.

[ShawVAuto]

Yeah, Beyond is right. It's probably your O2 sensors. The light comes on when something is causing problems with your emissions. The O2 sensors can be expensive. I believe the 99-02 Cougar needs 3-4. But have AutoZone or somewhere that will check your computer for free check it. If you need instructions on installation, let me know.

-Jamie D. Shaw
Shaw Vision Auto

[sewamania]

Originally Posted by ShawVAuto

Yeah, Beyond is right. It's probably your O2 sensors. The light comes on when something is causing problems with your emissions. The O2 sensors can be expensive. I believe the 99-02 Cougar needs 3-4. But have AutoZone or somewhere that will check your computer for free check it. If you need instructions on installation, let me know.

-Jamie D. Shaw
Shaw Vision Auto

Hi Jamie. I had my car checked and this is the code they gave me PO42O Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank1). I read one thread and said they had to replace the manifold. I guess a mechanis will have to explain it to me. Do you know anything about manifolds and are they expensive? Thanks

[ShawVAuto]

Hey,

About the manifold question, it depends. If you have to have the lower manifold, it could be expensive. The upper intake manifold is even more than that. Thing is, when they say Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold, this means that your catalytic converter isn't reading properly. This could be caused by your oxygen sensors not functioning properly. Can I ask you this? Have you felt a "power" difference when you hit the gas around 20-25mph? Your car will run fine as long as you don't drive like a mad person. Just have your sensors replaced. These are THE MOST common problems with 99 Cougars. If you need them replaced I can certainly have some shipped out. We can guarantee that they will be lower than any place you go to and they are brand new. If you are interested or would like a price quote, just email us at:

[email protected]

Thanks alot for your question, later.
-Jamie D. Shaw
Shaw Vision Automotive

[sewamania]

Thanks Jamie for answering so quickly. Yes my car has been sluggish when I try to accelerate. My husband didn't believe but I know my car. He does now. So these sensors (or is it just one) are under the manifold? Are they hard to get to? My car was manufactured 4/30/99, V6. The tag on my door is where I got the date from. Is this right? I understand that the sensors are different according to the month it was built. The cut off date is 5/2/99.
Thanks, Rosanne

[ShawVAuto]

Hey Rosanne,

It seems like you may be in luck? Why? Well simply put, most problems that occur with the oxygen sensors mean that all of them may have to be replaced. You may have to replace one or two! The 99 Cougar has three-four! It seems that the sensor located after your catalytic is the criminal. This sensor tells the car if the catalytic converter is working okay. But if the sensor is malfunctioning for any reason it will tell your car that the catalytic converter is performing below threshold (under what's allowed). Honestly, that particualr one/two isn't that hard to install. If you raise your car, you should be able to see the catalytic converter. If you look at the area around it, you should see at least one O2 sensor. You guys could possibly do it yourself and some some bucks. But please know that an O2 Sensor socket will be needed. You can get that at any autoparts store. We do have them for your production date.
Well thanks again Rosanne for the questions, if you have any more, keep'em coming. Later.

-Jamie D. Shaw
Shaw Vision Automotive

[sewamania]

Thanks ever so much Jamie for all the info. I plan on getting the sensors fixed this week. I am new about all this car stuff but I find it very interesting. This is a great source of information. You are very kind to have responded to my plea for help. If I need further assistance I will contact you again.
Have a great day!
Rosanne

[BiggC]

i also have the po402 code that shows in my codes...how much are the sensers. and can i just replace the sensers with out replacing the catalytic coveters.. or should i just replace all.

[sewamania]

I had to replace my catalytic converters. Fortunately I was under the manufacturer's warranty. I believe it was under 65,000 miles. They were replaced for free. It makes no difference where the car was purchased. My car was acting really bad because I let it go too long with the engine light on. My problem back then was the cat. con.
Actually my engine light stays on all the time now. No problems with car's performance though, so I pretty much ignore it now. If your car is not acting bad then perhaps you could replace the sensors only. It would be best to have the cat. con. checked. Good luck.