if i start my car and let it sit, the check engie light wont come on. but if i drive around for a while, it will come on. then if i kill it and start it it goes away. any ideas? i was told when i bought the car i needed a new map sensor, could this be the problem?
Your best bet would be to hook a code reader up to the EEC and check what code it is actually pulling instead of trying to guess. AutoZone will check your codes for free if you do not have a tester.
Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…
Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.
IF your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.
Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.
Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.
For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Walmart.
It's amazing how one day they are famous, next day they are at rock bottom. Dude, get checked out, she was with Dennis Rodman. Kind of funny how after that everything went downhill. I'd still do her, but I'd wear protection.