1998 Lincoln Town Car check engine light

DEXRR

MEMBER
1998 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
144,000 MILES

Hi My car was "skipping" and the check engine light came on and stayed on. I took it to a repair shop and they diagnosed it. The problem was the third cylinder and it had either a bad injectoe or coil. I replaced both and the car is running very smooth now--- However, the check engine light remains on. I have driven it 15 miles since the fix. Does the check engine light stay on for a while after repairs? The car runs out nice now, but the light is still on. Thankl you.

1 Reply

RICKMAR

MECHANIC
170 POSTS

The check engine light comes on when the OBD-II (On board diagnostic monitirs) detect a fault.

In your case it probably was OBD-II code "P0303"

The light will not go off by itself.
They should have cleared the check engine light so it would be "off".
I would take it back to them and show them the check engine light still on and see what they say. Could have just been an oversight.

You can do it yourself if you want by taking the negative post off the battery, wait 10 seconds and put it back on (IT WILL THEN BE OUT) but that might void any work guarantee that was completed, it's up to you. Also, you will neeed to reset all you settings radio, etc. Etc.

There is a certain drive procedure that should be followed to clear the OBD-II (On board diagnostic) monitors. Here it is:

Generic OBD II "Drive Cycle"
Most OBD II ("On-Board Diagnostics II") diagnostic monitors will run at some time during normal operation of the vehicle.
However, to satisy all of the different Trip enable criteria and run all of the OBD II diagnostic monitors, the vehicle must be driven under a variety of conditions. The following drive cycle will (theoretically) allow all monitors to run on (?) Vehicle. (Note: Drive cycle specifics vary by vehicle!)

1. Ensure that the fuel tank is between 1/4 and 3/4 full.

2. Start cold (below 86 °F /30 °C) and warm up until engine coolant temperature is at least 160 ° F (typically requires at least one minute; up to 3 minutes).

3. Accelerate to 40-55 MPH at 25% throttle and maintain speed for five minutes.

4. Decelerate without using the brake (coast down) to 20 MPH or less, then stop the vehicle. Allow the engine to idle for 10 seconds, turn the key off, and wait one minute.

5. Restart and accelerate to 40-55 MPH at 25% throttle and maintain speed for two minutes.

6. Decelerate with using the brake [or the clutch!] By coasting down to 20 MPH or less, then stop the vehicle. Allow the engine to idle for 10 seconds, turn the key off, and wait one minute.
Start it up and it's done.
Good Luck;
Rick