The check engine light came on and started blinking

Most importantly, do not drive the car with a Check Engine light flashing. That has the potential to turn a relatively minor problem into an expensive one very quickly.

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

When the Engine Computer detects a problem, it sets a diagnostic fault code, and if that problem could adversely affect emissions, it will turn on the Check Engine light. You can get a general idea of the severity of the fault code by how the light acts. If the problem is intermittent and the light goes off while you're driving, that is the least serious type of problem. If the light only goes off after you stop and restart the engine, that's a little more serious. If the problem goes away temporarily but the light is always on anytime the engine is running, that's still more serious.

What is the code that you are getting. It could it the engine temp is off.

Good luck

THe check engine light will only come on if the computer recognizes a problem. What you need to do is have the computer scanned. Most nationally recognized parts stores will do it for free, but I don't know what is available where you are. When it is scanned, it will identify where the problem is coming from. They can reset the light with their scanner. However, if may come on again. NOTE: Something as simple as a loose fuel cap can set the light.

Let me know if you have other questions.

Joe

Sounds like you have a faulty oxygen sensor ( 02 sensor). This sensor controls the air to fuel ratio. It may also be a clogged or faulty catalytic converter. This will also cause poor air to fuel ratio, which in turn will cause poor fuel mileage. Cold weather is harsh on the catalytic system so if there is any fault such as the oxygen sensor starting to fail, the engine light will come on quicker then if it were more warmer weather.

Really, there is no need for alarm as far as the vehicle performing well, but the fuel mileage will be down and the engine light will remain on which is quiet an annoyance to most.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for using 2carpros. Com!

LEAN DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS: MAF SENSOR CONTAMINATION
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): 98-23-10, Date of Issue: November 23, 1998

Related Ref Number(s): 98-23-10
ARTICLE BEGINNING
MASS AIR FLOW (MAF) - SENSOR CONTAMINATION - SERVICE TIP
APPLICATION
Model(s): Ford: 1990-97 Thunderbird
1990-99 Mustang, Taurus SHO
1991-99 Crown Victoria, Escort,
Taurus
1992-94 Tempo
1993-97 Probe
1995-99 Contour
Lincoln-Mercury: 1990-97 Cougar
1991-99 Continental, Grand Marquis,
Sable, Town Car, Tracer
1992-94 Topaz
1993-98 Mark VIII
1995-99 Mystique
Light Truck: 1990 Bronco II
1990-97 Aerostar
1990-99 Ranger
1991-99 Explorer
1994-96 Bronco
1994-97 F Super Duty, F-250 HD
1994-99 Econoline, F-150. F-250 LD,
F-350
1995-99 Windstar
1997-99 Expedition, Mountaineer
1998-99 Navigator
1999 F-250 HD,
Super Duty F Series
Bulletin No: 98-23-10
Date: November 23, 1998
ISSUE
This TSB article is a diagnostic procedure to address vehicles that exhibit lean driveability symptoms and may or may not have any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) stored in memory.
ACTION
Follow the diagnostic procedures described in the following SERVICE TIP. The revised diagnostic procedure is a more accurate means of diagnosing the symptoms.
SERVICE TIP
MASS AIR FLOW (MAF) DISCUSSION
MAF sensors can get contaminated from a variety of sources: dirt, oil, silicon, spider webs, potting compound from the sensor itself, etc. When a MAF sensor gets contaminated, it skews the transfer function such that the sensor over-estimates air flow at idle (causes the fuel system to go rich) and under-estimates air flow at high air flows (causes fuel system to go lean). This means Long Term Fuel Trims will learn lean (negative) corrections at idle and learn rich (positive) corrections at higher air flows.
If vehicle is driven at Wide Open Throttle (WOT) or high loads, the fuel system normally goes open loop rich to provide maximum power. If the MAF sensor is contaminated, the fuel system will actually be lean because of under-estimated air flow. During open loop fuel operation, the vehicle applies Long Term Fuel Trim corrections that have been learned during closed loop operation. These corrections are often lean corrections learned at lower air flows. This combination of under-estimated air flow and lean fuel trim corrections can result in spark knock/detonation and lack of power concerns at WOT and high loads.
One of the indicators for diagnosing this condition is barometric pressure. Barometric pressure (BARO) is inferred by the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software at part throttle and WOT (there is no actual BARO sensor on MAF-equipped vehicles, except for the 3.8L Supercharged engine). At high air flows, a contaminated MAF sensor will under-estimate air flow coming into the engine, hence the PCM infers that the vehicle is operating at a higher altitude. The BARO reading is stored in Keep Alive Memory (KAM) after it is updated. Other indicators are Long Term Fuel Trim and MAF voltage at idle.
NOTE:The following procedure may also be used to diagnose vehicles that do not have fuel system/HO2S sensor DTCs.

Symptoms
Lack of Power
Spark Knock/Detonation
Buck/Jerk
Hesitation/Surge on Acceleration
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated DTCs P0171, P0172, P0174, P0175 may be stored in memory
OBDII DTCs
P0171, P0174 (Fuel system lean, Bank 1 or 2)
P0172, P0175 (Fuel system rich, Bank 1 or 2)
P1130, P1131, P1132, (HO2S11 lack of switching, Bank 1)
P1150, P1151, P1152, (HO2S21 lack of switching, Bank 2)

2000 dollar truck and he cant afford a $60 dollar code reader? If you cant decide and he wont take your offer just move on.

I would'nt buy 1 of these anyway even if it was cheap!

Hello,

Could be almost anything. You could have broke off a sensor, a vacuum line or any number of things. The best thing to do is to go by your local parts store and have them pull codes. Post codes here.

Could also be that some moisture got into a connection or your knocked a connection loose.

.