Help me out here

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

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Jul 7, 2004

#1

• Jul 7, 2004

• #1

Well here it is. Everyday on the way to work my CHECK ENGINE light comes on while I am coasting downhill on the freeway. Then when I give the car gas the light will turn off. Then once I start coasting again it will turn back on. Its on the same part of the highway everyday. It used to only do this when I would really get on my car and then let off the gas. Well now it does it alot. What can I do or try? Should I take it to the shop and have them run codes?

 

stangbear427

Active Member

Nov 11, 2002

2,401

1

49

New England

Jul 7, 2004

#2

• Jul 7, 2004

• #2

Yes. Or, run the codes yourself with the "Jrichker paper clip method".

 

stang976

New Member

Apr 13, 2004

853

0

0

Westchester, NY

Jul 7, 2004

#3

• Jul 7, 2004

• #3

stangbear427 said:

Yes. Or, run the codes yourself with the "Jrichker paper clip method".

Click to expand...

sounds interesting. do explain

 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000

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Dublin GA

Jul 7, 2004

#4

• Jul 7, 2004

• #4

As requested...

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.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html for more descriptive help
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html

IF your car is an 88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

 

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

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Jul 7, 2004

#5

• Jul 7, 2004

• #5

I guess the only way I could do this is to use the check engine light but I dont feel comfortable doing it myself. I might just have to take it to the shop and see what codes they pull.

 

jrichker

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Mar 10, 2000

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Jul 7, 2004

#6

• Jul 7, 2004

• #6

If the possibility of miss-connecting something makes you nervous, spend $25 or so at Wal-Mart or the auto parts store and get a code scanner. They are Murphy-proof as far as connecting them up. That way you can dump the codes and save $$$ from not going to the shop. Use it once & fix something and it has paid for itself.

 

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

813

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Jul 7, 2004

#7

• Jul 7, 2004

• #7

So if I go to say Autozone and buy one, it will hook right up? Then just go from there?

 

jrichker

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Jul 7, 2004

#8

• Jul 7, 2004

• #8

92greenlx said:

So if I go to say Autozone and buy one, it will hook right up? Then just go from there?

Click to expand...

Plug it in and watch the single flashing LED. The $25 model does not come with a nice LCD display that spells out the codes numerically. Follow the instructions on how to count the flashes and you are good to go.

 

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

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Jul 7, 2004

#9

• Jul 7, 2004

• #9

Thanks!

 

S

streetfiveo

New Member

Jul 4, 2004

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Jul 7, 2004

#10

• Jul 7, 2004

• #10

Had similar problems with "check engine" lights under various conditions. Went to Kragen auto, picked up cheap (under $40.) code reader, easy to use, has 2 & 3 digit codes listed, how to etc. Does test with engine off or running and can clear old codes to see if you've fixed the problem.

 

rsw007

New Member

Jul 7, 2004

469

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Lexington,SC

Jul 7, 2004

#11

• Jul 7, 2004

• #11

mine has done that in past had to clean egr valve with some carb cleaner ford likes there cars to run rich "safe mix"

 

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

813

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Jul 8, 2004

#12

• Jul 8, 2004

• #12

So you just disconnected the egr valve then cleaned it with the carb cleaner? I went to kragen yesterday and they didnt have a code scanner for a 92 ford 8cyl mustang. Need to go to autozone next.

 

rsw007

New Member

Jul 7, 2004

469

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Lexington,SC

Jul 8, 2004

#13

• Jul 8, 2004

• #13

Two bolts hold it on the side of your egr spacer. take it off and clean it. you will see the valve part that gets stuck. spray down in the two holes and let sit for few minutes then pour it out and wipe it out then reinstall.

 

R

red-

New Member

Sep 12, 2003

65

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wilbraham, ma

Jul 8, 2004

#14

• Jul 8, 2004

• #14

just so u guys know (if u didn't already), autozone will pull codes for free. i had them pulled on mine several times.

 

rsw007

New Member

Jul 7, 2004

469

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Lexington,SC

Jul 8, 2004

#15

• Jul 8, 2004

• #15

yeah, but most of the people there dont know how to change a tire much less run a scanner.

 

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

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Jul 9, 2004

#16

• Jul 9, 2004

• #16

RSW,
Thanks for the info!

 

rsw007

New Member

Jul 7, 2004

469

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0

Lexington,SC

Jul 9, 2004

#17

• Jul 9, 2004

• #17

92greenlx said:

RSW,
Thanks for the info!

Click to expand...

So did you clean it and did that fix your engine light?

 

9

92greenlx

Founding Member

Mar 27, 2002

813

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Ca

Jul 20, 2004

#18

• Jul 20, 2004

• #18

I went to autozone and they said they cant pull codes on my car. Only 97 and newer. I found 2 vaccum leaks. I also set my idle as best as I could and advanced my timing to 12 deg. I now Just need to clean out my IAC and my EGR valve. But my car is acting better now and drives better as well. So hopefully once I clean out my IAC and EGR my cold start problem will go away.