The "Service Engine Soon" light came on in my car today on my way home from work. What is the worse case scenario as to what it could mean? It's due to go to the mechanics on Monday, and he had said that the light usually comes on due to an emissions problem. Any other input? Could it be anything else? And if so, what? I HATE THIS CAR (1999 Ford Taurus)!!!
2006-12-15 12:41:43 · 8 answers · asked by pdiluigi 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Unless there is a reason to think that something serious is wrong with your can, don't be alarmed. The check engine light will come on for many minor problems. I've had it to come on and not be able to find a single thing wrong. If something is very wrong, you'll hear or smell it and anyway it would probable be a little late to do something about it without paying out a lot of money.
2006-12-15 12:49:56 · answer #1 · answered by notadeadbeat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be anything. No way to know until you get the code from the computer. You can take it to a store like Autozone and they will give you the code for free but that's just a starting point. For example if the code says 'O2 sensor', that doesn't mean the Oxygen sensor is actually bad. It may mean there is something else causing the O2 sensor to give a bad reading so no you can't really rely on just what the parts store guy tells you. Also, just clearing the code and turning off the light does not fix the problem. It will just come on again later. Chances are that if the car is running OK it's nothing major. If it were serious, you would probably notice the car running bad. There are about a zillion things that will cause the light to come on and most of them are minor. Even a loose gas cap will cause it (that's a real common one).
2006-12-15 13:00:32 · answer #2 · answered by Carman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first, check the gas cap, if its not on right, the service engine light will come on in a ford.
Your car is not old, however, at a certain mileage the SES will come on because your catalytic converter needs replacing. If this is the case, you are facing a good bill, probably 500-1000 dollars.
Worst case scenario is you are going to be wasting fuel, if it was a catastrophic engine failure coming up, you should see on your gauges that the oil temperature is high, the oil pressure might be low, the water temperature is high and you might see lots of smoke out of the exhaust.
If the SES is on, you can unplug your battery for 30 minutes, and while the battery is unplugged, turn on the lights, this will drain the power stored in the electrical system, then plug it back in, the SES will be off, and wait to see if it comes back on.
The SES is a general light that says something is up, but it could be simple. At the mechanic they can read the engine codes that will specify what the cause of the light coming on is.
2006-12-15 12:49:53 · answer #3 · answered by Old ReliK 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pdiluigi;.....The four most feared words that you ever hear from a mechanic....IT COULD BE ANYTHING............The engine light usually indicates an EMISSION problem..But....Sometimes it can be as little a problem as a bad gasket on the GAS CAP...If you know somebody who has a similar car try his...Youll need someone who has CODE READER to shut the light off......You can try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes and that may also shut the light off. In Mass. you could bring cap to an INSPECTION STATION and they can test just the cap for you..Any kind of guy should test it for you for nothing. Takes about 2 minutes..Hope thats it!!!
2006-12-15 12:55:38 · answer #4 · answered by buzzwaltz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Worst case scenario? Your engine block could crack.
If you go to a local auto parts store, many of them will hook a code checking computer to your diagnostic port and tell you what the car thinks is wrong with it. They can also clear the code for you. Best of all, it's free. I don't know of any mechanics doing anything free.
Since the parts store employees aren't going to be the ones crawling around under/in your car to fix it, you can trust that what they have to say is true.
2006-12-15 12:46:00 · answer #5 · answered by DA 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well if the car is not acting diffrent then it will be fine til monday if it is acting funny it could be anything but its nothing tht would hurt the motor cause it could be as simple as the gas cap or an o2 sensor or it could be a fluke and be nothing i have ran in to it a few times and each time it came up the gas cap cause where i fill up they dont put it on tight so it culd have sucked air in i hope this help you out some and i hope you have a marry x mas
2006-12-15 15:09:29 · answer #6 · answered by lucylue52005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be a number of things i have a 2001 caviler it would jerk Little on the freeway my check en gin light came on i took it to a parts store they checked the code for free the code said en gin miss fire i changed the plugs and wires and the light went out
2006-12-15 15:06:10 · answer #7 · answered by wildchild342000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this isnt gonna help but it could mean "anything". its just up to the mechanics to find out what it is.
2006-12-15 12:47:51 · answer #8 · answered by Sammie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋