1996 Ford Escort check engine light

Tiny
MELOMESH
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 253,000 MILES
My boyfriend and I got this car a couple moths ago. We went to smog it and everything passed but the check engine light was on. So I took it to my friend who works on cars and it would go away but after 50 miles it would come back on. Finally after a few goes at this the light shut off. But now it comes on and goes off every once in a while and when we turn the car over its on and stays on. Or it doesnt come on at all after turn over. We just had it smoged and no engine light whatsoever. An hour later we checked it and the light came on but now won't shut off. What could be the problem? We need to get it smoged real soon and this is frustrating. Please help me
Monday, June 29th, 2009 AT 5:18 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Find out what the code is and we'll go from there
https://www.2carpros.com/dia/how_to_scan_trouble_codes.htm
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
MELOMESH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
No codes came up when we had it smoged, the check engine light wouldn't respond at the time. We thought it might be the bulb but it came on an hour after we had it tested and didn't shut off. And now it keeps going on or off everytime we turn it over and drive it. We are wondering if the computer could be bad.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 4:09 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Is checking for error codes a part of "smogging" a car in your area?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 4:42 PM
Tiny
MELOMESH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I don't believe so, but if any pop up while they smog it they show up on the paper, they did the first time I had taken it in. I had my friend check for the codes and he says none are coming up now. He also told me that the codes that came up prior were old codes and the problems had been fixed on them.
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
I find it difficult to believe that there are no codes stored in the computer after the check engine light as come on.

Who is checking the codes for you?
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Tuesday, June 30th, 2009 AT 10:58 PM

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