Check Engine Light

Hi,

Check the decal pasted under the hood. I have a 1995 G20 and it is OBD II. Those cost a lot more than the I.

goto your local shop, or even better a quick lube (usually dont charge) and get them to run a scan.. it should be an OBD I sensor, not a II.. but any good shop will know that... they will tell you what set the light, and how to fix it, and they can turn the light off.... lataaaaaaaaaa

A lit Check Engine light indicates there is a malfunction that has been detected and a diagnosis needs to be done with an OBDII scanner to find the problem. If there is no problem, the Check Engine light can be reset either with the OBDII scanner or by disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes. Word of caution: when resetting by disconnecting the battery, the computer's Keep Alive Memory will be erased and the vehicle will run rough for several miles until the computer re-learns the settings.

My car had that come up and the guy showed me the thing the plugged in so I copied everything it said. It read "P0544: -Exhaust gas temp -Sensor ckt bank 1 -Sensor 1"

It means that the computer has detected a fault in the emissions system. There is no usual cause. The ECU willl need to be scanned with an OBD2 scan tool.

Have vehicle scanned to determine the problem usually in the emission control system

There are pages and pages and items that can cause a check engine light. You need to have it checked for codes with a scan tool. After repair light can be shut off with scan tool.

A 1998 Chevy S10 Blazer has a total of two oxygen sensors. One is used for the upstream and one for the downstream.

Sometimes when the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on, depending on the problem the computer will go into "Limp Mode" which are factory settings for different sensors. This also changes your shift settings. Limp Mode will allow the vehicle to continue on its way but will run bad enough to make you get it fixed. The trouble codes should be stored. When retrieved may lead you to the main problem. When problem is fixed clear all trouble codes. ______________________________________________________ Update 7/7/08: I'd also suggest getting your transmission looked at. Sometimes when the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on and you feel a difference in how the transmission is shifting it can mean that the computer is detecting slippage in the tranny. It will then crank up oil pressure in response to this. In doing so, the engine can sometimes shift "hard" (thats how my wife described it) which can cause problems in your transmission such as breaking the shell around the gears. If you do get it checked & cleared make sure you right down the codes in case you go you have to get work done later. An experienced mechanic will know if what he is fixing is the problem or the symptom based on error codes. If you don't you could end up fixing the same thing twice.

Not likely. But you know you have a hole in your muffler so unless you want to have an accident from carbon monoxide poisoning you should have it replaced ASAP. Then reset the light and if it does not come back on, you know that was the cause.

It means the Anti-Lock brake system or Traction Control has been deactivated due to a problem. Have this repaired immediately.

flash lights, table lamps, the sun, and the computer you are on right now mc

A bad map sensor can cause a computer code, that would trigger the light. Run a list of computer codes to see what shows as a problem.

Well if that is the code you are getting when using a scan tool , it means there is a leak somewhere in the fuel/evap system. To actually pinpoint the leak, you would have to do a "smoke test" to see where the actual leak is taking place. That type of test really needs to be done by a mechanic that has the equipment to do it.

A flashing check engine light is an indication of a misfire. See related question below for more information.

There is a failure in the oxygen sensor heater.

usually used when solving an equation or inequality. Checking one's answer is plugging the answer back in the beginning to make sure you got the correct solution.

The Check Engine Light (CEL) does not measure oil levels.

There will be a specific dash/instrument panel warning light for oil - refer to the Owners Manual for specifics for your year Taurus.

See "Related Questions" below for more

Switching out plugs and wires isn't going to do a whole lot if your losing power, it may stop an engine from misfiring or help it to be more efficient on fuel consumption but losing power, no. It could be the fuel filter if it loses power when you have over a 1/2 tank of gas. Otherwise, it could be your fuel pump, which is in the gas tank to keep it cool. Go to any of your local auto stores and have them hook up a diagnostic reader to your computer system--they will do it at no cost to you and see if it reads out a (bad throttle position sensor) or something else.

have you tryed to disconnect the battery cables it would be the positive one it reprograms the wireing.

try unhooking positive side of battery it works on my 96 tercel if it comes back on something really is wrong

Code 34 is MAP/EGR code. Take your EGR valve off and clean it VERY WELL with carb cleaner. Take battery cable off for 5min and depress brake pedal to kill power to the system. If the light comes back on within a few miles, then you need a new MAP sensor which is about $40.

remove neg. battery cable for 10 min. and reconnect. that should reset the light.

If it is a U.S. car then it is an OBDII compliant vehicle and the codes can be read with an OBDII scan tool.