Check engine light is on?

Tiny
DASHA86
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,850 MILES
About a month and half ago, my engine light came on. I took it to a store and had them diagnose it by checking for the code, and an oxygen sensor code came up. When I took it to the mechanic to have it checked out, they said nothing was wrong with my oxygen sensor, and that nothing was wrong with my car at all. They turned off the engine light and sent me home. A week later, my car started idling high, between 1500-2000 RPM. It was very difficult to get the car to stop while braking, it was stuttering and lurching forward. I called a different mechanic to have it towed. They came to tow it, fiddled under the hood, said some plug was loose and it should be fine to drive now, and once again I was sent home. Four days later, the exact same stuttering problem came back. I took it to the third mechanic, they checked my car, couldn’t find a problem, but cleaned the throttle. Car ran fine for about a week, when the stuttering problem came back. Tried a fourth mechanic, who said the idle air control motor was sticking. They cleaned it, and the stuttering problem came back a few days later. I took it back to the same fourth mechanic, and they completely replaced the IAC motor this time. My car ran fine for a couple of weeks, then my engine light came back on. I took it to a mechanic, and they kept my car in overnight, looking for the problem. They seemed to have a lot of trouble diagnosing it based on the code that came up. The mechanics checked for a vacuum leak and were unable to find one. They claimed I needed to replace the plastic intake manifold. I was hesitant to do this considering what they said it would cost at this place, and my symptoms didn’t seem to match up. My car is still sometimes stuttering and idling high, I’ve smelled gas a few times when driving, and this morning while I was driving I was in idle and my car started to shake, which it has never done before.
Saturday, September 25th, 2010 AT 8:16 AM

24 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Without the benefit of the actual codes, if you have a vacuum leak, the PCM(computer) can't regulate the air fuel ratio, and the symptoms you describe will be present, the plastic intake manifold is suspect when this occurs. Lets fid the codes by using this guide so we know where to look

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, September 25th, 2010 AT 11:24 AM
Tiny
BOOWALDO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 MERCURY SABLE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 78 MILES
Hi I bought a 2003 Mercury Sable 77.000 miles after driving it the first Day the check engine light came on and I brought it to the sop down the street the guy put this hand held device plugged it in and the thing read Bank 1 and 2 and said that the car was running to rich we had found a couple of rubber ends that were attached to a couple of like tubing replaced them as well as this one hose that looked like it collapsed in the middle so he told me to drive the car after he shut off the check engine light so I drove a good 200 miles came back to get a inspection sticker because in Mass you have to have the emissions checked so I went back and he plugged the device back in and two codes came up the Catalyst and the Evap he said drive the car some more I drove 90 miles went back it still would not pass so he sai drive it more which has been driving me nuts and then the check engine light came on again today and the mechanic said drop it off on Saturday for like 6 hrs and he will see if he can fix it this is driving me insane can you help or recommend anything or should I just call it quits
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
I need to know what hoses were replaced. Also, what code was on the computer the first time and has the same code returned? Also, if there are new codes now, I need to know what they are to determine where the problem may be coming from.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOOWALDO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Thanks I only replaced two L shaped ends That were on the end of these two plastic like tubing one was on the front top of the engine And the other end that I put on ran on the back of the Motor besides where the Dist Cap was
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BOOWALDO
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Oh ya the codes that first came on when the Check Engine light was on were Bank 1 and Bank 2 and then after he shut the Check eng Light the and I drove it for like over 400 miles the evap and Catlyst codes came on those codes now that the check eng Light is back on are bank 1 and 2 again.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
The codes you mentioned are missing info. Was it banks 1 and 2 lean mixture, rich mixture. Can you get the actual codes?
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-1
Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POGO824
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
  • 72 MILES
Over past 2 months, have replaced fuel filter, all plugs, coil pack. Overall performance is ok; the accel seems fine, but at idle, engine acts like it's missing. Mechanic wants $220 to perform work. He sprayed brake cleaner looking for vacuum leak(s). Is this the next best thing to do? Do you think the check engine light will stay off? Thanks.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
What are the exact code numbers you have? this guide will help us get the codes.

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POGO824
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I (mechanic) did not write them down, so I'll go by Auto Zone.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Alright let me know have a safe and happy new year.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POGO824
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Happy New Year!
Here are the codes from Auto zone.
P0171
definition: fuel trim bank one condition
explanation: the power train control module uses the oxygen sensor to calculate the air/fuel ratio of the engine. The computer has recognized a rich or lean condition on one engine bank only.
P0174
definition: fuel trim bank two condition
explanation: the ECM has detected a rich or lean air/fuel ratio condition on engine bank two.

What do you think?
Thanks, paul
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yes a vacuum leak will cause those codes I would just make sure the intake is leaking vacuum before replacing the gaskets. If it is leaking I would straight edge the manifolds to make sure there not warped while replacing the gaskets.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POGO824
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok, thanks. Another question - given I've already removed the plenum to change the rear plugs, is putting on new gaskets a big job? Also, is there any harm in driving the vehicle, like 2 weeks until we have the $$?
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Its not a bad job to do as far as waiting a couple of weeks I dont see the harm in that.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POGO824
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
We now have moved to an urgent mode. The engine is cutting off when you come to a stop. It will hiccup and then cut off; does re-start, so dropped off vehicle at the mechanic's garage last night. UGH!
Do you have any comments or possible solution(s)?
Thanks, paul
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Need more details did we get any new codes?Also why doesnt it start did we loose spark fuel presure injector pluse?Let me know.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
POGO824
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
SOLVED by the mechanic! Under the plenum he found a hole (more like a slot for a quarter) in the emissions/vacuum hose and pipe - replaced it. Think we are now good to go.
Thanks for your assist, Paul
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome glad it wasnt the manifold like the other guy said it was.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DONA BOWRY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 81,000 MILES
On Saturday our engine light came on. The yellow/amber color. What does that possibly mean? We are also experiencing trouble with it feeling like the gas isn't flowing well. It is like it is choking. That is actually better since we put a fuel injector cleaner in it.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
That light is telling you the computer(PCM) has a stored DTC(Diagnostic trouble code), and if you have the codes read, it will tell you what is stored in memory. Autozone reads them free. Post all codes found here, and we can go more in depth.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 10:28 AM (Merged)

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