Check engine light

Tiny
POOTSCA
  • MEMBER
  • 1990 FORD FESTIVA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 38,900 MILES
My trusty Festiva is running perfectly, although the past week each time I start it and begin driving the check engine light comes on. There is no indication of overheating, and all fluid levels are good. We are wondering if it could be the oxygen sensor, or something to do with the spark plugs. It starts like a charm, and never runs rough. I don't have a tester to check the code, as I'm out of town and don't run into the city at all. Can you help?
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 6:47 AM

6 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
HI there,

You will have to try and get a scan done as the MIL is indication a fault code logged in the ECU, if all is working ok, i feel that it will not be a huge problem, but i would not put off trying to get a scan for very long.

This guide will show you how to get the codes

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/ford-lincoln-mercury-obd1-1995-and-earlier-diagnostic-trouble-code-definition-and-retrieval

mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 8:06 AM
Tiny
WEILLEY88
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 FORD FESTIVA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 13,500 MILES
After the car has warmed up, traveling at highway speeds, the car suddenly feels like it misses then the check engine light comes on, the car may run a little rough. If I take my foot off of the accelarator, the light resets only to come back on a couple minutes later.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

We need to know what the set fault code is that is indicated by the check light, go get a scan done and report the code here.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETTY1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • FORD FESTIVA
I renewed my catalytic convertor(ford fietsa zetec, 1400, 52 plate) with a non ford part. The dreaded light reappeared. I had it checked, all sensors were ok, emissions are ok, runs very well. Does about 38 miles to the gallon round town and recently 45 to 55 on holiday, (long journeys and driving under 70). Each time the light was turned off it would come back on but with no pattern of amount of mileage.(Range from 50 to over a 100). Fords say I need a genuine. Ford cat, others dependant machanics say this is not the case. Could this be an electrical fault? This all appeared to happen after the coil pack / leads needed replacing. Light came on, all was replaced light went out then after a time came bsck on again.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
You are leaving the most important piece of the puzzle in the box. The CODE! What was it?
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETTY1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Can't remember the code but it it indicated the lamba sensor, light came back on after a while so the other sensor was replaced and same again. The independent garage apparently checked the wiring but couldn't find a fault but didn't think it was the cat as it was firing ok, emissions are good, and good mhg etc.

I did orginally take it to a ford garage, first check it indicated a small sensor switch to do with the brakes, light came on again then they said it was indicating the cat. Didn't trust them after that so I went to the independent garages.
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Tuesday, April 14th, 2020 AT 12:15 PM (Merged)

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