CEL help.. just came on after some maintenence

[srvblues00]

Last weekend I did some maintenence on the X.. replaced plugs on tranny with metal freeze plugs (5pd manual), Amsoil tranny fluid, Valvoline syn blend oil, and I cleaned the engine. I drove it around a day or so after i did this work, and kept a close eye out for leaks. Everything looked fine, drove fine, etc etc. So, I started out on my road trip to IA to pick up my Mustang.. 7 miles into my 1050 mile trip, the CE light came on! I wasn't too happy about that. When the light was, I couldn't feel any changes in the X. Still had the same power, etc as before. It was fine on the round trip from NC to IA and back. Only thing is that I only got about 21mph instead of the usual 23 on the highway. Now, today I was coming back from a friend's house, and I was taking a right turn.. slowed down, dropped it into 2nd, turned, and gave it about 3/4 throttle. It bogged big time! I let of the gas a little, and it was fine. I have tried to make it do that again, but it won't. Any ideas on what this is? I have ruled out anything major since it's run fine like that.. I am suspecting some sensor somewhere, but I'm not sure. Also, sometimes it will go off, but it will come back on almost always when I let off the gas or go down a hill. What kind of code reader do I need to get for my 94, and about how much are they? Is there anywhere online where I can get a good deal on one? Sorry this is so long, but I had to give all the information I had.. Thanks, any help will be appreciated. I just don't want to damage something and make it a lot worse since I am still driving it with this light on.

 

[jimmiecakes]

Without knowing the DTC that the CEL is indicating, it is difficult to make any kind of guess that would mean anything. Find out what code(s) are stored and let us know.

 

[MrShorty]

for a '94, all you "need" is a jumper wire. When you ground the right terminals on the connector, the computer will cause the error codes to come up as flashes of the CEL light. Or you can plug an analog voltmeter into the connector and get the codes as needle sweeps. Here's a web site that describes the procedure: www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html

 

[srvblues00]

MrShorty - thanks, that should really help me out.

I have a code reader that worked on my 93 Mustang. The connectors look the same. Will it work on the 94 X?

 

[TPLYNCH]

I believe it should.... Neither was OBD-II yet (that I know of).

My '91 escort does the same thing. Light comes on if I'm driving at steady speed (60+), but if I take foot off the gas and coast, the light goes off. Been doing it for years. Probably the 02 sensor, since I have 175K and never changed it (them?).

 

[srvblues00]

Originally posted by TPLYNCH
I believe it should.... Neither was OBD-II yet (that I know of).

My '91 escort does the same thing. Light comes on if I'm driving at steady speed (60+), but if I take foot off the gas and coast, the light goes off. Been doing it for years. Probably the 02 sensor, since I have 175K and never changed it (them?).

Awesome.. I'm pretty sure it'll work, I'll have to dig it out and mess with it as soon as I get some time. I wouldn't be surprised if it is the O2 sensors, but we'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for the info.

 

[towdriverb]

obd 2 came into effect in 96 your obd 1 should work just fine

 

[srvblues00]

Ok, I finally got some codes.. check out the new story Dead Link Removed.