Check engine lite

[Rondor]

Yesterday mine came on, so I went to friends shop who has a code reader. It showed nothing wrong. I am thinking another COP going bad as it missed a little when first started but ran fine on the road. Friend said maybe not bad enough for car info system to spot but enough for warning lite. It is still on and no blinking. Any ideas?

[vagent]

Re: Check engine lite

Drive normally (probably need 1 or more trips of 5 miles) and see if light stays on. I've noticed a tendency for that light to come on then extinguish with normal driving. Specifically, when I changed the air filter, the next time I drove the car, the check engine light came on. I had an Autozone check the code--O2 sensor 1, bank 1 or something like that. Suspecting I had "bumped" something when doing the airfilter change, I checked under the hood but found nothing out of place. After two more trips on the car, the next time I started it, the light was out . . . .

I believe in an attempt to provide diagnostic feedback, the system may be a little too sensitive in pointing out problems.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

I too have had it come on and go off. The last 2 drives were over 5 miles and on. I still got a hunch it's a COP Any body run the new COP'S yet

[texasbird]

Re: Check engine lite

During one of my oil changes the O2 Sensor on the Ait Intake was left unplugged after the filter was blown out. Of course the light came on until I found the problem. Since the oil change was so recent, I suspected what the culprit might be. 2 or 3 short trips after reconnection and the light went out.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

Wouldn't a code reader pick that up ?

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

OK I checked on availabiliity of COP's and NAPA has them for $44.00 a piece. Has any one here used a non Ford COP other than the new hi-performance ones discussed here?

[Ediron]

Re: Check engine lite

Some are recommending the Borg-Warner cops life time warranty.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

Today the engine lite is off and the car is skipping really bad, at idle. I understand rhat Fords computer won't show each cylinder fire so it's a trial and error thing. Dealer may can tell but I will replace this weekend.

[Ediron]

Re: Check engine lite

I had one COPS go bad ,the engine light blinked once and L/M found the bad one.All the others the engine light stayed on for 2-5 mins. usually would go out after shutting down and restart. Never went to the dealer with the light on. 7 out of 8 replaced and one a second time.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

I had one COPS go bad ,the engine light blinked once and L/M found the bad one.All the others the engine light stayed on for 2-5 mins. usually would go out after shutting down and restart. Never went to the dealer with the light on. 7 out of 8 replaced and one a second time.

Same #'s here. Service history on mine shows seven replaced and 1 twice. I am curious which one now.

[E'sBird]

Re: Check engine lite

With the '02 Bird, had trouble with COPs. Went out and romped on it hard. Got a check engine light with the trouble code for the COP and cylinder number. Only a couple of week until Weapon X will be ready to ship their offering for the retrobird.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

I am anxious to hear the results of the weapon X coils.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

OK Update....... I have a new COP but have not installed. The check engine lite has been off for 3 days and no noticeable miss at idle. I figure it will be hard to loacate a bad COP when it's working so I will wait it out, but I am ready.

[E'sBird]

Re: Check engine lite

OK Update....... I have a new COP but have not installed. The check engine lite has been off for 3 days and no noticeable miss at idle. I figure it will be hard to loacate a bad COP when it's working so I will wait it out, but I am ready.

I have battled hard with a "check engine" light that comes on when at idle after fully warming up. Trying all kinds of remedy s including changing air filter, gas filter, checking EGR valve, nothing seemed to keep it from coming on. The codes were P0174-P0171, or lean mixture both banks. The other day I needed gas and got some off brand. The light came on several times that day. Then it dawned on me....too much oxygen will set off an oxygen sensor I think. One of the byproducts of ethanol combustion...oxygen. Changed brands of gas from Phillips 66 to British Petroleum, no check engine light. Interesting. Sensitive to too much ethanol in gas. Gas companies do not have to disclose the amount of ethanol in gasoline unless it goes over a certain percentage. Apparently, Phillips 66/Conoco uses more ethanol than BP.

[Rondor]

Re: Check engine lite

Very interesting thought E's bird. I think the inconsistancy of todays fuel is a major issue. I filled up about the time my lite went off and it was a different brand Also would a little poorer quality shop up more on a weak COP. Interesting concept for sure. Didn't BP hitest used to be AMOCO white. I ran that in all my musvcle cars in the sixties. Maybe I need to go back.