90 thunder bird 5.0 NEED HELP PLEASE!!!

[Lost5.0tbird]

I am having problems out of my 1990 Thunderbird 5.0. When the car warms up it starts to sputter and the whole car shakes. It is throwing the check engine light on but im not too sure one where i need to jump the wire to read the codes.... If anyone could enlighten me that would be great!!!

[ctwright]

It is usually different for just about every vehicle how to do the self diagnostic. My advice would be if you don't already have one buy a Haynes manual for your vehicle(not very expensive manuals) and look in the chapter for Emissions and engine control systems and look for the section dealing with self diagnostics, or obtaining codes, etc, and you will see how to do it and also a long list of the codes and what they are for. Hope that helps.

[ctwright]

Just wanted to add however to me it sounds like you are losing compression, could be another explanation however though I'm not sure.

[97Bird]

Welcome to the forum Lost5.0tbird. Look here: http://www.thorssell.net/hbook/eectest.html and here: http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/eec-iv.shtml