Help, I'm panicing, my 'check engine' light is on!

[Dian]

My new (to me) '03 Ranger feels like its 'struggling'. She hesitates and slips, on deep acceleration (I couldn't 'race' anybody, if I even wanted to), especially on an incline. I have a long commute, and today the check engine light started flashing. I checked all dash gauges, all good, all fluid levels....good. I'm freaking out as my last vehicle did this right before it died on the 405! All mechanics just see my blonde hair and then talk to my chest, so I need someone to please tell me what could it be, so I don't get ripped off!

 

[Mirge]

Take it to a parts store (O'Reilly, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, etc) to have the codes read for free... write them down, and post the codes here.

 

[Maniak]

You will need to read the codes yourself nowadays. Autozone/Checker/Kragen/Oriely's won't read the code "for you" anymore. They will rent you the tool to get the codes yourself.

Come back here with the codes and we should be able to point you in the right direction.

~Mark

 

[Mirge]

You will need to read the codes yourself nowadays. Autozone/Checker/Kragen/Oriely's won't read the code "for you" anymore. They will rent you the tool to get the codes yourself.

Come back here with the codes and we should be able to point you in the right direction.

~Mark

They still do here in Tulsa lol... sometimes they'll just hand me the scanner & let me read the codes myself if that's what you mean.. but I've never had to pay a deposit like the "Loan a tool" programs they have. That'd be pretty lame if they started requiring deposits lol.

 

[Maniak]

Here is the long thread about the reading of codes (not doing it anymore).. It seems it may have started in CA.. I know it has reached Az but I don't know how far its has reached.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236419&highlight=autozone+scanner

~Mark

 

[Mirge]

Here is the long thread about the reading of codes (not doing it anymore).. It seems it may have started in CA.. I know it has reached Az but I don't know how far its has reached.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236419&highlight=autozone+scanner

~Mark

Yikes, that stinks. Oh well... when it happens here, I'll hafta spend the < $30 I guess lol... http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MaxiSca..._1?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1265827093&sr=8-1

 

[rwenzing]

I have a long commute, and today the check engine light started flashing.

A flashing CEL means that the PCM is detecting significant misfire in real time. A solid CEL means that a trouble code has been stored in the PCM. However, a pending trouble code may be stored there even if the CEL has not yet gone solid.

So, the short story is that you really should get the codes pulled. The code number will probably be some variation of P03xx and it will tell you whether the PCM is flagging a misfire on a specific cylinder (or cylinders) OR if it is a random misfire problem on all cylinders. Specific cylinder problems are most likely caused by the spark plug or ignition wire or injector associated with that cylinder. Random misfire could be problems with fuel delivery, excessive EGR, MAF sensor errors, ignition problems on all cylinders or it could be several other things.

Assuming that I had to guess ...
If your truck has some miles on it and/or hasn't had stellar maintenance, a set of spark plugs and ignition wires and a dose of injector cleaner would probably do wonders for it. A new air filter element and fuel filter would be a good idea, too. That's just guesswork but it would be good preventative maintenance regardless (unless these items have been recently replaced, of course).

All mechanics just see my blonde hair and then talk to my chest ...

LOL!

I apologize for men everywhere. We don't do it on purpose - in fact, it often takes all of our limited concentration to NOT do that.

 

[edog]

A flashing CEL means that the PCM is detecting significant misfire in real time.


I apologize for men everywhere. We don't do it on purpose - in fact, it often takes all of our limited concentration to NOT do that.

The flashing light is letting the driver know that the converter could be damaged if the vehicle continues to be operated in that condition. Get the code checked and vehicle repaired before converter damage happens.

And men don't do it on puporse (most of the time).

 

[Dian]

Thanks so much for all your replies! My mechanic says, he cannot check it unless the light is on when I bring it to him. Well, of course, the light only goes on when I'm no where near him! My commute is 40m one way. It started flashing again this morning, on an incline as she is positively choking and some midget truck (4 cyl) easily passed me! I do believe it has something to do with the 'wire' as the mechanic (not 'my' mechanic) that I had the car checked out at, before I bought it, said it needed 'wires' and that I should do a tune-up! I did'nt believe him, 'cause he also said I needed front brakes (for $400) and 'my' mechanic told me I don't need the brakes. I don't want to take her to 'Tune-up Masters' or some other rip-off place. I did pour in the STP gas treatment. I also have purchased some kind of pour-in gumout bs.

 

[ericautopart]

That's exactly what it sounds like. I don't know the mileage, etc. Get a tune up.

 

[Dian]

Sorry, thanks (she's '03 with 115k)

 

[edog]

That's exactly what it sounds like. I don't know the mileage, etc. Get a tune up.

I agree with ericautopart, if the orignal wires and spark plugs are still in the vehicle, then a tune up is in order.