"Check Engine" light on SOHC...

[SplashMan]

My check engine light came on half way home last night and I was wondering what to check before I take it into the shop...

Little history from this weekend. I went wheeling and the engine got pretty dirty... I sprayed it off lightly, but there is still quite a bit of dirt and sand on it. I also switch to synthedic oil this weekend. The X runs fine and actually the rattling I had at startup is almost gone now... and ideas? I am hoping it is a sensor or something.

 

[Jim F]

The first thing Ford will do is check to make sure your gas cap is on correctly. The last time I brought mine in for a recall something-or-other, during the write-up process the guy went directly to the gas lid and took the cap off and then put it back on. Curious, I ask him why, and he told me that sometimes this gives a check engine light. I stratched my head and told him, I didn't have a check engine light problem. He said, sorry just routine.

Just a thought.

 

[SplashMan]

Ya, that was the first thing I checked... found out about that when my wife didn't tighten the gas cap on my 98 Sport. I am going to spray off the engine compartment a little tonight and then disconnect the battery for an hour and see if that helps. I REALLY don't want to have to take it into the dealer.

 

[rockymntnhi]

SPLASH ,

How many miles do you have ? Check engine light will come on if : The gas lid isn't on correctly , or if a miss fire occurrs . I'd check plugs and wires , also it is real common for the oxygen censors (2) to go bad after 50K miles , I'm havin the same problem , I'm changin' the Plugs/Wires first($40) , then the O2 censors ($125) if needed . I use to pump gas w/ the engine on and that caused the light to turn on also , it took me months to figure that one out . Hope this helps , good luck , RAND .

 

[SplashMan]

Well, I went home yesterday and sprayed the engine compartment out real good. There must have been about 5 pounds of muddy sand in there. Basically the entire engine was covered with a layer of it. I just took the garden hose on a wide spray patern and started rinseing. On the way to work this morning the light went out.
I have 52,000 on it so I am going to take it into the shop anyway, but I'm glad the light went out.

 

[Robert]

With the light out they won't be able to pull any codes. The light went out when the PCM determined that what ever fault caused the light to come on had corrected itself.