Check engine light?

Question

Seems that about 2 days ago, my check engine light comes on and stays on after I have driven for a couple of min. I went to autozone and they said that since it is a 95 that it wont have odb 2 on it and their machines wont read it (they said this after asking the yr of my vehicle, they never took the time to actually look at it). The light is solid on and is not blinking. I am wondering if it if ok to drive the car until thursday or friday because that is when I am off of work, and the next two days I need a car to get me ten miles each way to work and back. And it is a 95 ford contour lx, 4 cyl, 2.0L zetec.

yes, I have checked the oil, steering fluid, antifreeze and the gas cap, all are good.

Answer 1

A check engine light is most likely tied to your emissions system on your car. If you have emissions testing in your state, you may or may not experience problems getting your inspection sticker/registration renewed.
You will be able to drive your car with the check engine light on. The light is just saying that their is a malfunction somewhere. Nothing too serious. However, you shouldn't wait too long to get your engine serviced.

Answer 2

my light has been on for 6 months. Auto zone checked it (its a 97 Taurus) and said the oxygen sensor is bad. I didn't have the $100 at the time to get one but the car is still going and it doesn't seem to run bad. As long as the car seems to run OK it should be fine to drive until your day off. Those check engine lights sometimes come on cause a sensor is bad and nothing major. Don't go to a Ford dealer. Try a local repair shop. The Ford dealer will be way more expensive!

Answer 3

have you purchased gas elsewhere before the problem started? if the light is not blinking it is more of a emission problem, where if it where blinking it would be something that would require immediate attention. sometimes if you buy gas from a place like citco 87 octane gas really is a little less than 87 octane. try filling up at a place like bp or shell, they have the cleanest gas that will be the octane that is claimed. most cars are fine to drive on the cheaper quality gas where others can be a little more touchy, A good way to test it is to buy a octane booster put it in your tank and if it is the gas that is the problem than your check engine light should come off after driving for a couple of miles, If not than the gas is to not to blame and it may be a faulty O2 sensor or any other sensor relating to emissions. The Octane boosters can be purchased for a couple of bucks at a convienence store or a big box store and should let you know if gas is to blame. your car should be fine to drive unless it starts blinking.

Answer 4

95 should be OBD-2..Call the Ford dealer and ask them if the car is the newer system. If it's one of those mid-year situations, and the old EEC-IV system, go to your main library and ask to see a Mitchell's repair manual for your car. There's a way to read the old system codes with an analog voltmeter ($10 @ radio shack/wal-mart). Read the codes and take it from there. Usually, when the computer encounters sensor readings way out of whack, it will substitute in a predetermined value so you can keep running. Altho, some people can argue that the catalytic converter will get ruined in some cases, us poor folk just have to get by however way we can, I've seen people pay off the smog guy under the table and drive their cars with the light on for years...What can I say?; we don't live in a perfect world.

Answer 5

'95 was a transition year, some cars were obd1, while others were obd2. i agree that he should have come out to the vehicle and just looked at the connection. perhaps you can go back and ask him for a confirmation on which system you have, or get some one else to take a look at the vehicle. if it is an obd2 system, and the light is not flashing, you should be ok to drive for a bit, but you may feel some performance changes in the vehicle . well best of luck to you.

Answer 6

Auto Zone does not have mechanics. At least not any where I have seen. Only counter people that can read codes from OBDII cars and check batteries.
If your car is still driving OK and you do not drive vary far, then it is OK to wait till Thursday.
Being an OBDI car, there is NOT a code for a loose gas cap. That is on OBDII cars only.

Find a high quality shop to help you. They will find out quickly and correctly.

Answer 7

My car is a 95 Chevy and my check engine light has been coming on everyday for the last year and a half and it's fine. I say drive to work the remainder of the week then get your car checked out a.s.a.p.

Answer 8

Have you tried a ford dealer yet?

While autozone might only have equipment that monitors newer vehicles, a ford dealer might have a machine that will work with older cars since they specialize in fords rather than having to have a machine that reads ALL types of cars.

Answer 9

I have had my check engine light come on befor and turns out it was a faulty gas cap. When I called the dealer they stated I was ok to drive for quite a few days untill I had time to bring the car in.
PS, this was thanks to my teenager not tightening the gas cap all the way!!

Answer 10

The most common reason for a the check engine light for just about any vehicle is the O2 sensor.

Simple part to replace, but usually around $100.00

If it IS your O2 sensor, it is fine to drive your car for several weeks. The O2 sensor is instrumentation affecting your emissions. No real harm will come to the engine by continued driving.