Check engine light is on?

The "check engine" light is an indicator for a system that monitors many electronic functions in the system, also called the "malfunction indicator lamp" (MIL). It can come on for any of hundreds of different causes from any of the systems that the computer monitors. Some are very important and can lead to further component or engine damage and some are emissions related not as serious but still a problem and need to be repaired.

Your first step is to have the computer scanned to retrieve the trouble codes that were set when the check engine light came on. This guide will help us get the codes

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.

describe your problem...
this light came on shortly and went off. It has now come on again. Vehicle is 2004 Taurus SES. What is best way to proceed?

Get a free scan done at Autozone or other parts outlets to retrieve the trouble code and post it here and we can continue from there.

While driving my car from store to store I started smelling burning plastic, I had my air on max and decided to turn it off, but could smell it burning, so I parked the car for a few hours and the drove it with no air for about 10 minutes and the smell started again and now I am afraid to drive it at all and would like to know whats going on with it and if it has to do with my check engine light being on for a couple of weeks?

I doubt the burning smell has anything to do with check engine light. but check for coolant and oil leaks on to exhaust manifolds as that may be where the smell is coming from. If it smells more plastic then have a pro crawl under the dash and look around and even look under hood for something hitting exhaust manifold as that normally is where these smells come from.

Thank you, I feel better knowing its not something really major. I'll have my car checked as you suggested.

Check Engine Light keep coming had a tune up

Need to have it scanned for codes
codes will identify the troubled area
most local part store will scan it for free
check around
and let me know

Engine Performance problem
2004 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 175K miles

I have a 2003 Taurus.

I have been battling various emissions issues for the past two months. SO far the tally is FOUR oxygen sensors and several chewed vacuum lines (courtesy of warmth seeking rodents).

The dreaded "Check Engine" light still remains and the codes reported are P0401 & P0174.

According to my maintenance manual those are respectively 'EGR Insufficient Flow Detected' AND 'System Adaptive Fuel too lean (Bank 2)'.

Another symptom is that the car seems to run fine at high speed i.e. the highway but when idling it idles roughly and sometimes will stall.

According to my maintenance manual the EGR system shouldn't really be a factor at idling time.

Can anyone point me in a direction that could lead to my solving this issue without hemorrhaging more cash!?

Robert
Otter River, MA

Actually, I would remove the EGR and check it to make sure it is carbon free and working properly. As far as the lean mixture, are you sure you got all the vacuum leaks?

Well my mechanic did a smoke test and seems to be of the mind that he got all the leaks. There's only so many places the vac lines go.

As for the EGR valve I removed it myself and ran a brush over both orifices there was no huge build-up of carbon, AND while putting a vacuum on the vac port I could see the 'pintle' travel upwards which I took to mean that valve is doing its job. What I really can't see is the valve seat for all I know it could be completely fouled BUT I doubt that would cause an insufficient EGR flow indication. Logic suggests such a condition would a cause excessive EGR flow, No?

Did he check engine vacuum hoses? Usually a smoke test is for the EVAP system.