What are common problems for Ford vehicles that cause the "Check Engine Light" to light up?
I have a Ford Escort ZX2 which has given me no problems, but there are some common maintenance issues I need to address. One is I need to get a new fuel filter and the other is I need a transmission flush. Have been tight on funds, but wanted to get them done soon.
Today I drove about 100 miles. After about 75 miles, the "Check Engine Light" came on, which has never happened before. It also seemed to suddenly be a little less responsive. I felt like I had to push harder on the gas pedal to get it up to speed. But once the light came on, I could have been babying it more.
What are common reasons for a "Check Engine Light" to come on at around 100,000 miles? Could the transmission flush and fuel filter needs be a possible reasons the light came on?
I will probably get a diagnostic run on it, if I can find someone who offers free tests. But most of the auto places in Minnesota are closed on Sundays. I'm just freaking out that this is going to cost me a lot of money and hoping someone out there might know some of the reasons these lights come on so I might get a better idea in my head of what this cost might be.
BEA2010-05-22T21:39:37Z
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Could be the fuel filter,
avoid autozone, go to a real shop.
example: if it is the fuel filter autozone isn't going to pull up a code for "change fuel filter" they'll get something like "o2 sensor bank1 sensor1 lean condition" they'll sell you a new o2 sensor when the problem could very well be the fuel filter.
Take it to a real shop and pay for the diagnostic time. it could be a number of things.
Most common would probably be emission related.
Could just be an occasional misfire that can be fixed by a simple tune up.
Could be an oxygen sensor worn out. they tend to last about 100-150K miles.
could be something with the evap system- gas cap, hoses, valve.
take it to a shop, make sure they give you an estimate and don't approve the work unless they've explained what is wrong, why it went bad, and why it needs to be fixed.
There are any number of causes for it -- a bad oxygen sensor is common, but it's foolish to ignore it, as one reader suggests. You can cause emissions problems with your car even if it still drives fine. The light comes on when the computer in the engine records that there is a problem registered by one of the many sensors in the car. The first thing the dealer will do is connect a code-reading device to the engine computer and find out what the engine computer is recording. They'll use that as the first step to diagnose the problem. If you don't want to wait a week, find a mechanic and ask if they can read the code for your car. If the mechanic can diagnose it, he/she can probably fix it, and probably will charge less than a dealer (I assume you don't still have a warranty on a 2001). Is it dangerous? Not for you (unless there are other warning lights on that you haven't mentioned), and probably not for the car, but the mechanic can tell you for sure. You can find customer testimonials about mechanics near you at the Car Talk web site.
Chances are that the light came on from a different problem altogether than trans or fuel filter. THe check engine light does not connect to these, I don't think. These engines, since they were designed by Porsche for Ford, require the finest oils to keep the camshaft adjustming mechaism working as it should. It is your best interest to loate, remove, and clean your IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. Also clean the throttle body and check for continuity in your PCV valve and hose. If this were MY car, it would only see Mobil One 0W-30 oil, EVER. Perhaps the newer Pennzoil Ultra, or ELF from France. If you should happen to have your engine codes read, and it says camhaft sensor, realize that improper oil use is the REAL cause, and not a failing sensor that requires replacement. Power wash your engine, keep it clean, do a mild sludge removal treatment, and switch over to Mobil One, like I recommend above.
if your ford is 1996 and newer auto zone and checker can pull the codes and give you a decripion why the light came on. there are over 3000 reasons the check engine light will come on. once that light comes on the coputer goes into a LIMP HOME program. were it is doing just that its limping home thats why it was a little less responsive.
The fuel filter would be more the culprit. It's possible it is so plugged up that it's causing a low fuel pressure condition in the system causing a lean-miss in the motor. Autozone or many other chain auto parts stores will scan the car for free and tell you what's up.