Check engine light

MICHAELMUELLER

MEMBER
2004 LINCOLN LS
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
87,500 MILES

This morning after I started my car the check engine light came on. Since it is winter the car idles rough for about 10 seconds and also my car has an alarm and a few days ago I had to get a jump to start the car but the battery is fine after I had it checked the reason the battery died is because the car was sitting for 3 weeks in the cold. Also could it be that I have air or water in my fuel line for the rough idle and the check engine light

3 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,757 POSTS

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. Those codes will give you specific information about what the computer saw and will get you pointed in the right direction to find your problem. With a 1996 or newer and some 95 cars and you have an AutoZone or Advanced auto parts in your area, they will read them for free. Once you have these code numbers, we can be a lot more specific about what your problem may be.