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1999 Ford Escort "service engine soon" light on

Tiny
FSARABIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD ESCORT
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Hi, I have owned my 1999 escort for almost 10 years and never had trouble with it. I started driving about 700 miles (round trip) since november, maybe twice a month. This last time almost at 160 miles in, my "Service Engine Soon" light came on. I continued driving until I got to a well lit gas station. I checked the engine oil and it read "empty" so I added a quart of oil, checked the transmission oil, which was changed about two weeks ago-it was fine, the only thing that was weird was the fan on the radiator was not on, but the thermostat reading was normal.I did check the gas cap to make sure it was on right too.I just (a)dont want my car to die on me on the freeway and (b) dont want to pay outrageous money to have it checked out and it being a silly thing, like the speed sensor-had a dodge neon that had that problem. Can someone help? I read the other answers to similar questions, so as soon as I leave work I will take it into autozone to have it checked, but in the meantime, are there any suggestions as to what it may be?
thanks!
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Monday, March 15th, 2010 AT 12:59 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Your right, its probably something very simple, scan it so we can get to the bottom of it coolant temp sensor is probably faulty, thats why the fan is not coming on and the temp gauge reads normal. But scan it and bring the codes back to me for further diagnosis
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Monday, March 15th, 2010 AT 1:09 PM
Tiny
FSARABIA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
On my way over to auto zone, the "service engine soon" light went away-i was happy! But I had it scanned and they scanner said it was the ERG Valve, the rep at auto zone said since the light went away, to wait and see if it came back on and then worry about it. But I dont know if I should. I googled it and it said that repairing/cleaning it would be best bc that valve is costly.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Your absolutely right, the recirculation of the gases is probably the problem which means its clogging up, I would go ahead and clean it, a little throttle body cleaner and some a rag, , disconnect the tube going to it, that is mostlikely clogging up, nevertheless the whole thing needs to be cleaned keep me posted
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Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 AT 7:32 AM
Tiny
FSARABIA
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I had to go ahead and get it done by a mechanic :( had the valve and the sensor replaced and it cost me $350-ouch! But I guess at least I have peace of mind. It may not seem like a lot of money, but to me it is. Like I said, at least I have peace of mind and I did not have to be carless for more than a few hours since the shop was across the freeway from where I work, I was able to just walk over there, drop it off during lunch and pick it up at end of day-i guess I paid for the convenience too-thanks for the input.
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Sorry you had to fork all that over, and three fifty is a lot of money. If you ever need us we are here, thanx
jody
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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010 AT 8:52 AM

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