Check engine soon light?

Tiny
BELAIRJER
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
I just changed the engine with a used one and used some of the parts that came with the used engine. Everything seem to work good but the check engine soon light comes on.I undid the battery cable and it will stay off for a little while then back on it goes.
Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 AT 9:11 AM

41 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Lets run down this guide to get the codes so we can know what we need to do to fix it.

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.
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Saturday, August 2nd, 2008 AT 5:52 PM
Tiny
BELAIRJER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Its too far from here. Any other thoughts
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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 4:27 AM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Man o man, without codes we are just guessing and when installing a used engine there are hundreds of possibilities, it will probably end up being something small but we need codes to atleast know the area to look. If there is any parts store around you they will usually use a small code reaDER and give you the codes or you will have to buy one, they cost about 50 bucks
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Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 AT 6:10 AM
Tiny
AUNTNEATS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 204,250 MILES
What are the symptoms of a bad alternator? Firist, the check engine light has been on since I bought this car 3 yrs ago. In the last 10 months the headlights/dashlights etc will sometimes "blink". That is they dim for a brief second but don't go out completely. Alternator has been replaced 3 times in last 2 yrs (2 junkyard, 1 remanufacatured). In the last couple days I've noticed the lights to be a little brighter & not so much "blinking". Also the check engine light is not on anymore, but neither is the "cruise" indicator. Have I had a run of bad alternators or might there be more going on here?
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Welcome to the forum, have trouble codes checked, anytime the lite comes on. Some of the national brand autostores will check codes for free. They will also check the charging system.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORABLE2
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I have a 98 Ford Taurus - 120,000 miles. The check engine light just went on. Does this happen automatically at 120,000 miles? Should this be checked out?

Thanks, Dora!
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
The check engine light comes on when there is a problem with the performance of the engine. Go by your local Auto Zone and have them pull codes, they do it free.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:17 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DEVILDOG1948
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100,758 MILES
What would be the most common problem that would make the check engine now light stay on, thank you.
Hank
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
A lot of reason for a check engine light to come on and stay on
check fuel filler cap for an example
have to have it scanned for codes
need to have the codes
to indicate troubled area
most locale auto shops car help you and a lot do it for free
check around in your area
and let me know what you have for codes
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LUMEUX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Mechanical problem
1998 Ford Taurus 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Service Engine Soon light comes on, code PO174.
"System Additive Fuel to lean, bank 2.
Bank 1 came on last week. What should I be checking? We've recently changed the plugs, water pump and PCV.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Clean MAF and also look for any vacuum leaks and exhaust leaks.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LUMEUX
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
When it says my fuel is too lean, does that mean not enough fuel or air?

Thank you
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Not enough fuel so MAF could lean and vacuum leak could lean or dirty injectors
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISG3838
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
The check engine light wont go off. It drives perfect just the light wont go off. It comes up with a cam seonsor code. I have replaced everything The sensor, the computer but it still stays on. So i'm thinking its electrical. Any ideas of what it might be.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Each code come with a check list
1st what was the code and I will try and check to see if I can help
check wiring and connector plugs
on sensor and PCM
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUTTEREYES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD TAURUS
Engine Performance problem
1998 Ford Taurus Front Wheel Drive Automatic 132k miles

Hello,

After a few second of rough idling yesterday, my check engine soon light began flashing. I put the car into reverse, and the light went off. I drove the car today, and the check engine light has not come on yet. Am I possibly doing any damage by continuing to drive my car until/unless the light comes on again, or do I need to get it checked immediately?

Thank you!
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
If you still have problem with rough idling, I would take the vehicle to your local Autozone and have them scan the computer for codes. They do this for free. If there are codes, post them here so we can help you prior to buying any unnecessary parts.

If the vehicle is running well, I highly doubt that you will ruin the engine, especially if the MIL turns off after driving. But plan on getting the car to your local Autozone soon.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHELLYON1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,446 MILES
I use the computer to scan my vehicle for the codes. The codes revealed came in a sequence of:
Obd2
Obd2
R
Re
Error about 3 times
I tried looking them up and fail to get the answers. Maybe you can help me. Does it matter that I'm a girl that's why I don't know the obvious.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

Those aren't codes. I'm not sure what is happening. However, here is a video that shows how to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes using an OBD2 scanner:

https://youtu.be/YV3TRZwer8k

Let me know if that is what you did.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GEEWHIZ105
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1997 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 138,854 MILES
I have a 1997 ford taurus the service engine light came on I found out the light came on due to the intake air temperature sensor I change the sensor and was told to drive 35 to 100miles I drove the 300miles the light remains on what should I do
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:20 PM (Merged)

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