Check Engine Light

Generally, if you unhook the negative cable on the battery for a few minutes,the light will go off(reset). However,if you have a existing problem with one of the sensors, etc., the light will go on again after a short time . I hope this helps you. Mark My 91 2D 4WD 1600 8V had a slide switch located behind the removable panel below the steering column. The computer sends a "check engine" code periodically on some of the older Trackers to get you to take it to the dealership when there's absolutely nothing wrong (no codes come up...). Sliding this switch to the -other- position with the key on and engine stopped will reset the "check engine" light. This experience cost me $10 from a friendly garage mechanic who actually had a reader for the 91 ECU. When he saw no codes, he figured it out, went looking for and found the silly switch. I was impressed and he now does maintenance on all my vehicles. Hope this also helps! Cass1959

No not always,But it will correct problem 99% of the time. Brett

Yes, as long as the engine is not in gear and a brake is enabled.


A "Parked" car is defined as: a setting in an automatic transmission in which the transmission is in neutral and the brake is engaged. (http:/dictionary.reference.com/browse/park)


Therefore it would suffice to say that a car is parked once the wheels are locked via some sort of brake and the engine is not in gear (park or neutral). The lights being on is irrelevant.



Concerning California law: It is illegal to leave your vehicle unattended on the highway without first turning off the engine and enabling a brake.
(http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22515.htm)

try going to ford and asking them if you have a computer probolem?

Best solution would be to replace the O2 or oxygen sensor first to see if this eliminates your problem. If not, replace your front catalytic converter and oxygen sensor.

Forgot to mention, this is done without your vehicle requiring a basic tuneup (spark plugs, oil change and maybe spark wires, etc.).

The Bill of Rights.

You should look through the users manual to find out how to do this. It can give you the step by step directions to do it correctly.

P0700 : EATX code present.

This code just means that the engine computer has been notified that the transmission computer has detected a problem and set a code. You will need to have the transmission computer checked for codes.

Connect an OBD2 scan tool which will retrieve the codes set by the ECU. If you mean how to check to see if the light is working just turn the key on without starting the engine. The check engine light will illuminate.

The OBD II scanner is an on-board diagnostic tool. It is a device that can read trouble codes when connected to a vehicle's computer. The OBD II scanner will only work on automobiles manufactured in 1996 and later.

take it to your mechanic so he can run a diagnostic.

to reset "check engine light"- (on '05 freestyle)

remove the negative cable from the battery for at least 20 min.

It worked for me

Trouble code P0171 means: Fuel System Too Lean - Bank 1

# Turn your car on -- make sure you are see the odometer -- not the "trip meter" but the actual mileage odometer. # Turn your car off. press the odometer button down, while you turn your car on. The numbers will turn into "--" one by one until all gone. Then it is reset.

Code 301 is cylinder # 1 misfire. You don't need to keep replacing coil packs until you find out why they are going bad. Now if you are buying these coils at a parts store that sells inferior foreign made parts, "can't say the name", then this may very well be the problem. If you know this is not the case, then take this to a technician that can see why they are going bad. The coils are going bad for a reason. Find that reason and problem solved.

There is no reason why you would want to disconnect your check engine light, it is there to warn you that there is a problem. All you need to do is have a free test run on it at your local auto parts store, they will tell you whats wrong and then you can fix it.

However, there are in fact plenty of reasons why you would want it disconnected. For example, when it lights up for no apparent reason frequently, and/or is aesthetically unappealing. Who wants to run to an "auto parts store" to have it serviced every time the light comes on, usually for no reason?

Have plugs and wires checked...if faulty (will cause one or more cylindars to not work) you can replace them yourself. Many internet pictoral tutorials. Dealer will charge $500+. Also, there is an automatic extended warranty on catalytic converter: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/recall/vw2.htm

The "not starting" and "hesitation" sounds like a tired fuel pump. Try getting a fuel pressure system test done. It's a simple gauge that is hooked up to the fuel rail and will tell you the car's running fuel pressure in BAR. If the fuel pressure, while the car is running, is sporadic or low (less than 3 BAR I think) then the fuel pump most likely needs to be replaced. As for the backfiring, sounds like a timing issue but I have input on that.

The " check engine light" is by far one of the most misunderstood technological advances It is a warning light that is illuminated when there is a problem affecting the EMISSIONS of the vehicle.. Don't let it bother you as it is a good thing once you understand it. One point that was brought up a recent meeting of technicians was that the amount of hydrocarbons is greater when the gas cap is left off than when the engine is running. Hydrocarbons are part of pollution emitted as gasoline evaporates. Going a step farther, one facet of the emission system is the "Evaporative" portion. This is when the fumes from the gasoline are leaking from the system into the outside air. This is one part of the emission system that can trigger a check engine light. I would say a small percentage of the vehicles that have a check engine light are the result of a loose or inadequate gas cap. But understand that many scenarios are possible with the "check engine light" The vehicle's powertrain computer (note that some vehicles have multiple computers aside from the powertain computer) will run a series of self-tests. They will only run under certain criteria. And they are different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some self-tests or

First, you have to find out why it's on, repair the problem, then the computer will often reset itself. If it doesn't, you may need to connect an onboard diagnostic scanner. Just unhook the battery for a few mins... and it will go off if the problem is fixed

Try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes. May reset the light--if problem persists light will come back on

That's the computer's way of saying "read my codes". You can borrow, rent or buy a code scanner from most auto parts retailers. Any time the light comes on like that it's indicating that the computer has detected a "fault code" meaning that something is wrong. The computer can tell you exactly what it means. There really is no way to guess and be anywhere near accurate, but probabilities are: oxygen sensor, EGR valve, map/maf sensor, misfire or any of a number of potential problems. The computer is trying to give you the best possible fuel economy and minimize emissions. If the computer has detected a fault it will be unable to be as effective.