Yesterday my wife and I had parked our Ford Mondeo car at a car park, everything was alright with the car, but when we got back to the car, and and turned the key, all the dashboard lights came on and on turning the key to start the engine the lights normally go off, but an orange light stayed on. On checking with our handbook, it said that there was an engine malfunction, can anyone tell me what this could be, we are worried that it could be something serious and expensive.
The RAC said to only do local journeys and they could not doing anything to help us.
Any help and advice you give me will be very much appreciated as we are very concerned.
2007-06-24 04:24:29 · 22 answers · asked by Rob 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
This is what we refer to in the US as a "check engine" light. What it means is that a trouble code has been set in the computer system. It could be something simple as a sensor that gave a "ghost" reading, or it could be a component failure!
The best thing to do is take the car to a qualified mechanic, and have the computer scanned for codes. If the car is under warranty, the dealer should do this for free. Once you know the cause of the problem, you can determine the cost of repair. Without the code scan, we are all just guessing at the cause!!
2007-06-24 05:04:41 · answer #1 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Changing the starter on a Zetec engine is meant to be a pain in the back side.
Maybe you should take it to a Ford dealer, but what I would try first is unplugging the battery for about 15 minutes. This resets the ECU and ereases all errors. If you never see the light again, it was probably a glitch. If the error comes back, it needs attention.
Ignore the American car comment - British Fords are better than American Fords. In fact, the new Mondeo is apparantly a better car the the new 5 series BMW!
2007-06-25 11:25:25 · answer #2 · answered by puggtiracer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The malfunction light shows that you have a problem with an emissions related system and the engine is now running in "get you home mode".
This is usually caused because your engine ECU has detected an anomalous reading from one or more of a myriad of engine sensors, at least on 3 consecutive engine run up cycles and has now registered this anomaly as a non transient fault.
Your local Ford dealer or diagnostic centre will be able to download the fault code and test the component it points to. It really is the cheapest option, rather than someone playing at a shot in the dark.
Typical fault code would be (made up example from top of my head).
P0104 - oxy sensor left bank low range.
This could mean a duff lambda sensor, a problem with an injector, problems with other sensors on the intake side, a problem with the ECU, or a mechanical problem. You could take a shot in the dark and wind up replacing every sensor, or a good diagnostic technician can test each component in turn, until he finds the bad one.
2007-06-24 05:34:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sensible advice has been given. Take it to your Ford dealer and have them run a diagnostic check to determine the problem. If there was nothing wrong the light would not have come on.
In most cases the car will continue to run, although at reduced power (limp home mode) that will enable you to get it to the garage.
Disconnecting the battery to put out the light will not cure the problem. The fault code will still be held in the CPU memory even if you manage to get the light to go out.
There is a myth that getting the light to go out will get rid of the problem. It will not. All modern cars have monitoring systems built in to ensure that they run correct and to indicate when there is a fault.
It is for your benefit. Without this then what often is a minor problem quickly develops into a major and expensive one.
If the car is within the warranty period then failure to have it checked could invalidate the warranty should a major problem occur and you have decided not to bother. Manufacturers require the dealer to submit the fault codes when making a warranty claim. This will show how long the code has been there and mileage driven before seeking help.
Dependent on the fault even if a vehicle is outside the warranty the manufacturer may, as a gesture of goodwill, contribute towards the cost of repair dependant upon the circumstances.
2007-06-24 05:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by fwh 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If the orange light comes on and you have looked in the handbook and you still don't know the problem then i suggest you take it to be serviced.
It could be a number of things, Brake fluid,oil,fuses,fan belt take your pick.
To have your piece of mind see a qualified mechanic and put your mind at rest.
If the car still drives OK then its nothing major so book a service straight away.
Good luck
2007-06-24 04:39:22 · answer #5 · answered by scottie322 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No dude...it just sounds like you need a new starter. There in the $100 price range. It shouldnt be much work to get a new one on. You could actually probably do it yourself. If your lights are coming on then your battery is perfectly fine. So yea its just your starter. If you get a new starter and the engine light is still on then bring it to a Ford dealership and get it checked. (Starter source listed below. Or just go to your local AutoZone or Advanced Auto Parts Store)
2007-06-24 05:36:13 · answer #6 · answered by kennedym15 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My wife had a Mercury Mystique and it had the same problem it was a cam sensor and we just traded it in for a Sable instead of fixing it. The engine was the 4CYL. Not the 6 CYL. and the car can be driven like that just wont get the most out of the engine.
2007-06-24 04:38:09 · answer #7 · answered by done with this sorry codessuck 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
if its under warranty, dealer, if not, is it still on, if it is get it checked somewhere else, disconnecting the battery for 15 secs will erase the code and reset the computer if it reapperars you have a problem could be bad fuel you didnt put E-85 in , I hope , people are doing it
2007-06-24 04:39:41 · answer #8 · answered by vincent c 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU SHOULD GET THE VEHICLES COMPUTER SCANNED AND CHECK FOR ANY PROBLEMS AS WELL AS CODES AND THEN YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD IDEA ON WHAT THE PROBLEM TRULY IS.
TRY FINDING AN INDEPENDENT SHOP INSTEAD OF THE DEALER OR A CHAIN STORE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE OVERALL MORE PLEASED WITH THE FINDINGS AND THE SERVICE.
2007-06-27 09:50:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not possible to say whether it is serious or not, unless you take it to your Ford dealer, and have them plug it in to their diagnostic equipment.
It may just be a sensor fault, but it would be wise to get it checked out quickly.
2007-06-24 04:35:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋