How do I turn off the "service engine soon" light on a 2000 ford escort zx2?

Question

The light went on when the gas cap was not put back on properly and I cant turn it off. The rest of the engine components were checked and all else is fine

Answer 1

Auto parts places can check to see what else the computer is trying to tell you and delete the stored code. As an alternative you can always pull your negative battery cable for about 10 seconds and reconnect, but your car will run like poop while it relearns its own fuel curves and such.

Answer 2

If you are sure it was the gas cap, which is very common, just have the light cleared at autozone or whoever checked it out before, but it should have already been cleared when everything checked out ok the first time.

The alternative is to wait until the light goes away, which it will if it was caused by the gas cap. Once you have tightened the cap it may take awhile but it will go away on it's own after it has performed all it's tests and has not found the problem.
If not, or if it comes back on, maybe you just need a new gas cap.

Answer 3

There are many components that work together in the engine to maintain optimal engine performance and economy.
A service engine soon, or check engine light indicates that there is a sensor that is reading a condition that is "out of range".
Simply resetting the light does not solve the initial cause of the problem.
Replacing a number of parts trying to troubleshoot the problem in the hopes of getting the light to stay off is a tremendous waste of time and money.
The simplest, and most economical way to alleviate your issue, is to have the computer codes checked by a reputable shop to determine what caused the computer to signal you to begin with.

That being said, if per-chance you feel the need to reset the light in the hopes that it was a "glitch" of some kind, you could disconnect the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes to clear the check engine light.

Answer 4

That happens more often when people fill vehicles while running. You can disconnect the battery for a few hours and your computer will reset when you restart the car. I have see Ford windstars, for example, take up to 3 hours for the computer to "loose" its memory from lack of power. If it comes back on then you will have to have some one check it out. Many auto parts stores will scan your vehicle free and give you the codes. You can then usually look up the codes on the net.

Answer 5

Disconnect the battery, depress brake pedal for 30 seconds, reconnect battery, 9 times out of 10 that will eliminate the code. If not go to autozone or advanced auto and tell them your story and ask them to reset the diagnostic trouble codes for you.

Answer 6

take it to advanced auto parts or autozone both of them will scan it for free and give u a code then take it to the ford dealership and they will interperate the code for u and tell u what the problem is..if it is the gascap like u think then take it back to autozone or advanced and have them turn it off

Answer 7

i also have one of those, and the best way to get the light to shut off is to push it off into a river and watch your problems float away. stupid car

Answer 8

have it scanned, by then you will know wahts the problem. Fix if any, the technician will reset the ecm.

Answer 9

a

Answer 10

someone has to figure out the code and fix it.