check engine light unknown?????

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jan 27, 2007 | 01:36 PM

itswrongway

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 42

Likes: 0

From: nepa

check engine light unknown?????

I would like to know if anyone else has this problem ? My check engine light will come on for a day or sometimes a week and than go out. it will stay out sometimes for a few days and even a few weeks then come back on. My local ford dealer had me stop by the shop the last time it came on without turnning off the engine in case the computer would clear itself of any misc. minor codes. well there was no codes but the light was still on. I am talking aboub 2001 ford windstar van with only 35000 miles on it. so far no one has been able to tell me what is causing this .the van runs fine light on or off. was or is there any kind of recall or service bulltin out about this ? thanks

Jan 27, 2007 | 02:50 PM

Bear River

Former ******

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 4,901

Likes: 2

From: Salt Lake City, Utah

Take it to the auto parts store and have the codes pulled there. The dealer may be giving you the hint that they don't want to bother. If the light is on, there must be a code in memory.

Jan 28, 2007 | 08:08 AM

itswrongway

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 42

Likes: 0

From: nepa

I'm sorry I put in the wrong year of the van with the check engine light problem it's a 2003 windstar.

Jan 30, 2007 | 06:48 PM

Aeroman59

Elder User

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 830

Likes: 0

From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada

Check engine light

Quote:

Originally Posted by itswrongway

I'm sorry I put in the wrong year of the van with the check engine light problem it's a 2003 windstar.

The check engine light comes on because you have a malfunction detected by the ECU (engine/electronic control unit) most fault are usually related to emission control systems. The fact that the light goes on & off means that the problem is intermittent & the ECU can reset on certain codes if the problem is cleared for a specific amount of drive time or engine restart cycles. If you know someone with an OBD2 code reader (PWN version) ,you can get any pending or malfunction codes revealed. Most code readers will also give you the short hand version of what the code means; although there is usually some diagnostic work required if you want to fix it yourself !
Sometimes a simple problem like a leaking gas cap or a leaking vacuum line will put on the CEL. My sons car had a CEL on & I found the breather hose to the air cleaner had come off, creating a vacuum leak, replacing the hose made the light go off, honestly it can be that simple! Other times you could get a code which will cost a lot of money to put the light out.

Hope that helps, Aeroman59.