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Check engine light on for 2 years?

Tiny
CATSRATZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
Hi, and in advance - Thanks!

From the time I test-drove this car, October 2004, it's always run great. But the SES light's been on since the test drive.

The automotive shop that sold it said they couldn't determine why, but it was no problem. At that time I didn't know it would not pass New York State Inspection for the next year with it on.

After quite a search, I found a shop that disabled the light long enough to pass inspection, and it passed easily. Unfortunately, I don't live in that area any more.

Just today I saw a local mechanic who says he is not able to pass it due to the SES light being on. My funds are very limited and the car drives great, too - lots of power, good start-up, etc.

This is now a headache of long-standing. I had the codes zapped off twice since purchase ("Oxygen sensor") but they always came back on within a few miles. I can't tell you enough what a GREAT running car this is otherwise!

My mileage is around 110,000 and I have a 6-cylinder Vulcan engine.

Thanks again.

Jenny
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Thursday, May 24th, 2007 AT 4:49 PM

30 Replies

Tiny
RUDPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 224 POSTS
You need to find a good mechanic who can hook up a scanner and analyze the live data while it's running. This guide can help you do it yourself

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

There should be more information than just oxygen sensor, like O2 sensor lean, O2 sensor rich. It could be the O2 sensor is bad, a vacuum leak, mass air flow sensor, leaky fuel injector that is making the code come up.
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Friday, May 25th, 2007 AT 2:28 AM
Tiny
CATSRATZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi, and thanks for replying!

This mechanic is good, but in order to keep the post brief I left out a lot.

What's bugging me to death is that the car has run so great for so long now - making the expensive diagnosis and work(?) Seem so unnecessary.

Though knowing almost zero about mechanics it seems to me that, since the car's run perfectly for 2 1/2 years, it'd be in rough shape by now if there really was a problem mechanically and not with just the light itself or something similar :(
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Friday, May 25th, 2007 AT 8:40 AM
Tiny
RUDPRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 224 POSTS
It's funny because the light can come on for something minor and the car can run fine. Other times, the light won't come on when there is a problem. Go figure.
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Friday, May 25th, 2007 AT 12:02 PM
Tiny
DW95326
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 119,000 MILES
I am getting ready to sell my ford taurus and after spending hours cleaning it up, my check engine soon light came on. Do you have any possible reasons for this. I hadn't driven the car for a couple of months but it seems to drive fine.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Make sure you hooked everything up right and didnt leave ne thing unplugged!

You can try removing the - battery cable foor an hour or so and see if that turns it off. If so drive it again, if light comes on then theres a problem.

You can take it to autozone for a freescan even some auto values or advanced autos will scan for you.

So with that said, have at it!
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+1
Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JENNIFER1273
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
1999 Ford Taurus

My 1999 Ford Taurus started overheating on me. It never reached fully hot on the temp gauge, but was warmer than normal. I drove it a couple miles home. It stalled on me once and didn't want to start back. It did, however, start back. Reluctantly. I drove it 1/2 a mile home. My husband checked the car and found it to have a cracked radiator. Now, the check engine light is flashing and it's idling rough. The car has not been driven since this occurred. I know the radiator needs replacing, but any ideas on the flashing service engine soon? Thanks alot.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,700 POSTS
Have the radiator repaired so it is safe to drive. Then take the car to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer for codes. If the light is on, there will be a trouble code stored in the computer and they will tell you what it is. Note: Most of these stores will do it for free, so there is no money out of pocket.

Let me know what you find.
Joe
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VJGULLI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 121,000 MILES
I have a question regarding may check engine light, I have had my check engine light on for a few months and just recently used a code reader to attempt to find out just what the problem was. I got a 02-heat sensor bank 1 sensor 2 code as well as an auxiliary manufacturer emissions code. I changed all 3 02 sensors and changed the fuel filter, air filter, cleaned fuel injectors (sea foam) and changed the oil. The light came back on after reset and codes remained the same. Very frustrating, can you offer any suggestions?
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
What do you have for code s
for us to further help you we need what you have for codes and engine size
not all o2 sensors related codes means sensors are bad
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KATIEK68
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,455 MILES
This afternoon my Service Engine Soon light came on as I was driving home. I just had the oil changed last week, and they checked my battery and fluids and said everything was fine. Lately (within the last 2 weeks), I've noticed, though, that when I'm idleing at a light or something, my RPM's get really low for a second, almost like it's going to die out and then it kicks back in. I thought it might be the spark plugs, but that was just a guess. I've heard that the light coming on could just be some sort of "routine maintenance" warning, as I was planning on having the transmission fluid changed next week. Could someone tell me what this could mean? I don't want to get stuck on the side of the road somewhere, as I commute 50 miles to school every day. I won't be able to take it in until next week, due to financial issues. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
The light coming due to a problem
the computer detected an issue where the car emission not to spec.

Best way to deal with this, is to get the car scanned for codes
codes will help ID the troubled area
and what is the cause

most part stores and repair shop car help u
check around some have this service for free

also u can check gas cap make sure its on and tight
open hood and check for vacuum leaks

good luck
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FORDSEL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Before u spend any money on new parts check all your vacume hoses fords are notorious for hose leaks. If you have to get a hose or big straw and put it up to yer ear and move it around all the hoses thats a pretty easy way to find leaks. There is also a curved or elbow shaped hose under the intake check that one its very common to melt and break.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:09 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OLBOO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
We ran out of gas and now it doesnt idel the same ( very low) and will die from time to time, and the service engine soon light is on now.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First thing you need to do is have the codes read, Autozone does it free, Post the results with the code number(s). Even if the service engine light is not on, there should be freeze frame data stored.
If it won't make it to Autozone, buy a cheap scanner, they can be had for 30-40 dollars, a good investment, since they cover all cars sold in the USA from 96 on.
If the light is blinking, it means possible damage to the converter. Service it right away!
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IDGROSS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 980,068 MILES
Changed PCV and hose and have driven 168 miles and the service engine light still is on.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good afternoon.

What is the code so I can help you narrow the area of failure?

Roy
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IDGROSS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I do not have the code number, but the tech said it shows a vacuum leak PCV or?
PCV and hose was replaced.
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Need the code as there are way too many possibilities. See if you can go to a parts store and have them read it for you.

Ask them to read the long term trims for.

This is free service.

Roy
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:10 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VERBOB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 FORD TAURUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
I was driving along approaching an intersection. BAMM. Engine shuts off. So I throw it in neutral and turn the key - then EVERY shuts off. Not even hazard lights!

Had someone come to give me a boost, popped the hood and connected the jumper cables - nothing. Looks like bad connection on the battery. Cleaned off the corrosion, tightened the connections. Finally boost works.

NOW there is a ticking (lifters?) And Oil light is on (and check engine light too). These were NOT on before it shut off. Checked the Oil - ITS FULL.

Its been suggested that perhaps the Oil pump driveshaft is worn (as well as the bad connection on the battery).

Any ideas?
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
If it were mine,

No more crankin' till I had a Mechanical Oil Gauge screwed into the spot where the "electric" sending unit is now. Must have some presure to run it

Like was suggested, maybe the oil pump is not working for some reason. Must have pressure while running. Things do break sometimes.

Investigate check engine light by "coding" it---Find someone who will stop by and check it (I've always kept a good relationship with the fellers at Autozone and Advance Auto, They have in the past came to my house, after work and coded something that I was scared to drive). If you can get it there, CODING IS FREE!

I hope this helps you

I hope its not real serious

The Medic
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Saturday, October 24th, 2020 AT 12:11 PM (Merged)

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