I purchased my 97 exp XLT 4.6 several weeks ago and the dealership was going to fix the check engine light, but attempt on three different visits but the light just came back on.

I later realized that I had not receive my state tag and the dealership told me they had a problem getting it and I would had to go and get it. Well weeks later, I still do not have my tag and the temporary one has over expired, the dealership will not help, it is not covered under warranty they say since I have no electrical coverage or something like that. NOW I CAN NOT GET A STATE TAG until I can pass emissions.

My county is arresting folks for expired tags and I took the truck to auto zone and got the same code the emissions people gave me P0140. I have gotten estimates and very high quotes and I can not afford it, especially if they are taking me for a ride. The quotes are so different. Can anyone tell me what that code means and what steps I need to take in speaking with people to repair it. I am a single mother and I can not afford all these quotes and I do not understand what I am being told and the dealership has completely cut me off. I tried to let the GA Emissions folks know about this but was told the county I purchased my truck in does not have to have the car in emissions standards. I just want to get my truck fix, before any policemen stop me with my child and arrest me. PLEASE HELP ANYONE!

 

That code indicates a bad oxygen sensor. There are 4 on the vehicle, and the one indicated by that code is bank1, downstream, or HO2S #12. This would be the aft-most sensor on the passenger side of the vehicle.

They are fairley easy to change, provided you don't mind climbing under the car. If you follow the exhaust pipe from the engine area, you will see one sensor near the engine, and another near the transmission. The sensor looks like a spark plug sticking out the side of the exhaust pipe with a couple of wires running to it.

To replace it, you unplug the connector, unscrew the sensor, screw the new sensor in, plug in the wire connector. Disconnect the battery for 10 minutes or more, then when you reconnect it, everything should work fine, provided the computer correctly diagnosed the problem.

Autozone part number 15717 ($46.99) or 15718 ($49.99) are the correct parts.

 

This is an obd II vehicle, which means the light should not go out by disconnecting the battery. Usually a scan tool has to be used. I would not use an aftermarket sensor. Get the # of the old one and match it up at ford. They are very sensitive to application.

 

I'm a parts manager for auto zone. Since the truck is OBDII, take to to autozone once the o2 sensor has been replaced and they can use the scan tool to erase the error code from the computer.

-Da Cigar Man