2000 Lincoln Town Car "Service Engine Soon" light?

NO. It means there is a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) stored in your vehicle's PCM (powertrain control module). It means that it has detected something operating "outside" of the parameters that it's supposed to. It's true that by disconnecting the battery will RESET the PCM, but if there is a problem, that light will only come back on eventually. Don't ignore it. Have it scanned for the code, and fix the problem.

well if you've got the 4.6L, and i'm pretty sure you do. You've probably have code #'s like P0172 or P0174. If this is the case, you've got fuel injectors leaking down and flooding the exhaust with raw gas and it will contaminate the oxygen sensors and damage the catalictic converter.

This is not and I repeat not a regular maintance light. This light comes on in the event that the computer detects a problem.

I would have this checked at a ford dealer, mainly b/c most independent shops don't know about this problem and often misdiagnosis the problem. I don't want to scare you, it could easily be something else, the engine light can come on for over a couple hundred reasons.

I just have seen this problem on all 4.6L engines and I figure yours in no different. I hope this helps!

200 Lincoln Town Car

Service engine soon is usually triggered by an error somewhere in the engine management system.

I know BMW uses a system that triggers based on mileage and nothing else just to get you to go to the dealer and have it serviced.

disconnecting the battery will erase its memory and should turn off the light.

However if there is still a problem present it will come back on.

Autozone will scan your ECM for free here where i live and often they can reset the codes without disconnecting the battery.

then if it comes back on right away you know the code is legit.

Your Service Engine Soon light will come on and stay on steadily when your vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer detects a problem with your vehicle. It means you need to take your vehicle to a reputable mechanic at your first available opportunity. Your Service Engine Soon light comes on and blinks when your vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer detects a problem with your vehicle that could cause damage your vehicle if you continue to drive it. In other words - stop driving immediately and have your car towed to a shop! The most common cause of a blinking Service Engine Soon light is that your vehicle's ignition system is misfiring. Spark plugs are only part of your ignition system. Depending on your year, make, and model - you could also have spark plug wires, distributor cap, rotor button, ignition coil(s), etc. Your vehicle can also misfire due to other reasons like a malfunctioning fuel injector(s), intake leaks, bad mass air flow sensor, etc. You need to take your vehicle to a reputable mechanic and have the Service Engine Soon light diagnosed. Continuing to drive your vehicle may result in severe engine damage or damage to your catalytic converter(s)...both of which are far more expensive than a diagnostic bill at your local shop. Good luck.

The SES light comes on when something's wrong and stays on for a certain number of key-ons. It's odd you didn't still see a code if the light was still on.

Keep an eye on it and test again if the SES light comes back. That light goes on for lots of things, sometimes it's as simple as not tightening the gas cap.

Codes P0301

It can be a bad oxygen sensor or any other sensor in the vehicle.

You should take it to the dealer and have it checked properly.

Most of the time it is one of the oxygen sensor has died, catalytic converter or sometimes transmission is having a problem.

they are programmed to come on at certain times so that the car is seen by a mechanic who can then reset it again