This is topic Check Engine !!!!! in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by 98snaketool (Member # 1294) on :
 
I have a 98 cobra with only 30k on the motor and the check engine light came on today. The car seems to be running fine. It had a tune-up (Sparks etc.)last december. Oil is fine. Should I be worried and take it in right away or is there any home remedies you guys might know of. Does it just need another tune-up??? Its nagging at me, any insight/ideas would be appreciated.
- Brian
 

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Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
The codes need to be pulled to see why it threw the check engine light on.
 

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Posted by 98snaketool (Member # 1294) on :
 
How much should that run me. And can you explain what you mean be "the codes". Thanx
 

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Posted by Gear Head (Member # 779) on :
 
When something isn't running right the computer will throw out a "code" or message and in turn will turn the check engine light on, it's the engines way of telling you something isn't working right. If you dont have a code puller then you need to take it down somewhere to have it done and I have no idea how much they would charge you for that because I never take my car anywhere to have it worked on.
 

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Posted by Norgs (Member # 649) on :
 
shops charge a min of 1 hour to pull the codes...so it can be anywhere between 90-130 $ at least to tell what is wrong with the car
 

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Posted by the50ho (Member # 73) on :
 
I usually just pull codes at work, (another perk of working at a car dealership in the shop)....many times, I've been told you can go to autozone, and they'll do it for you for free with thier scanner.

I'd head to autozone if I was you, bring a piece of paper, and write everything down they tell you. Untill then, we really can not be of ANY assistance.
 

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Posted by white1990stang (Member # 2307) on :
 
or you can run a jumper wire to your eec and start the car and the check engine light will flash.
 

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Posted by 94gt (Member # 3060) on :
 
yeah, ive used the jumper wire method, and it worked ok.
Kragen sells a $40 deal that will display what codes are being output on a LCD
 

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Posted by zpyro35 (Member # 3745) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by white1990stang:
or you can run a jumper wire to your eec and start the car and the check engine light will flash.

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this is generally the way to go. you have to know what the codes mean though; I'm sure you can find somewhere on the internet (or probably a Hayne's manual) that tells you what the codes are and how to interpret them.

I've heard that AutoZone was sued for checking the codes for free cuz the dealerships and tune-up shops complained it was taking away from their business. but
 

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Posted by J's DDLY SNK (Member # 2016) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by zpyro35:

quote:

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Originally posted by white1990stang:
or you can run a jumper wire to your eec and start the car and the check engine light will flash.

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this is generally the way to go. you have to know what the codes mean though; I'm sure you can find somewhere on the internet (or probably a Hayne's manual) that tells you what the codes are and how to interpret them.

I've heard that AutoZone was sued for checking the codes for free cuz the dealerships and tune-up shops complained it was taking away from their business. but

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