Blinking Check Engine when accelerating through 75

[andr3w]

Sorry to crosspost, but I really could do with an answer.

I drive a '96 ford aspire, manual trans. Sometimes (Not always) while on the freeway, when accelerating through 75mph, the check engine light starts blinking. So far every time this has happened I've slowed down to 65 or slower right away, and then it stops, and the light just remains solid.

I want to think my sparkplugs just need to be replaced, and it's misfiring a little because they can't keep up with the engine at this speed-- the car has 60,000 miles and they've never been replaced. When I got the clutch replaced, the mechanic said they could do with replacement "soonish"

After a little while of the Check Engine light being solid on, it goes out on its own, so I've not worried about it that much.

And I've checked the engine. It's in there.

It does, however, scare the crap out of me, can anyone offer any wisdom?

[timetowinarace]

More often than not it's an oxegen sensor. If you have good oil pressure, good water temp, and your altanator-battery is working properly your not in bad shape. The light means a sensor is not getting the proper reading. This could be an engine problem or simply a sensor problem as with the ox sensor. Natural deposits cause them to fail. Bad spark plugs should not cause the light to come on. Not even a miss would do this. Of course, your not saving money by waiting to change them-especially with todays gas prices and extra wear on the engine.

Your mechanic is the one that has the proper diagnostic equipment to find which sensor is sending bad information and why. If money is an issue, as with most of us, I would feel fairly confident in driving the car for some time as it is if the above mentioned items are okay.

Time

[andr3w]

thank you for your reply. Someone from another forum also suggested that it's probably the oxygen sensor. Since it's never been replaced, and the car is in otherwise good repair, that's probably it. The other person suggested that it could be an ignition problem... since neither the plugs nor the o2 sensor have ever been replaced, I may as well replace both just to cover all my bases.

Hopefully it's not a hard job, i'll visit the library for a copy of the repair manual and see.

thanks again!