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Bob Burkett

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Since: Jul 06, 2007
Posts: 1



(Msg. 1) Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:55 pm
Post subject: Check Engine Light
Archived from groups: alt>autos>ford (more info?)
I have a 1999 Ford Ranger. The check engine light came and stays on.

The ABS light comes on sometimes and stays on for an hour or two. Yet, the
Sears car repair people checked it and found nothing wrong.

All the panel meters read normal.

What are the general items that can cause this condition? What inputs to the
computer?

Can a person buy a "OBD 1 & 2 code reader scanner" to exercise some enhanced
troubleshooting techniques. What do these testers cost?

Bob

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Happy Traveler1

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Since: Aug 21, 2004
Posts: 143



(Msg. 2) Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 11:55 pm
Post subject: Re: Check Engine Light [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
It teaches you something about Sears auto service, does it not? I have seen
them install a battery and change oil with reasonable skill, but that's
probably where it ends. Didn't even know that they claim to service brakes
or engine electronics.

There are easily 500 reasons for the CEL to turn on; nobody will even offer
a guess without at least reading the stored trouble codes. You can have a
place like AutoZone do that for free or buy an OBD2 code reader at auto
supply stores for $100 or so, but neither will do much more than satisfy
your curiosity about what tripped the CEL. To perform diagnostics you will
need a scanner; two-three times that expensive, at least. Still, those won't
access anything beyond the power train (engine and transmission) management
computer, so don't count on diagnosing your ABS with them. One vendor,
'AutoEnginuity' (sp?) claims that their inexpensive scanners can do much
more. If anyone has experience with that brand, I'd love to know.


"Bob Burkett" wrote in message

>I have a 1999 Ford Ranger. The check engine light came and stays on.
>
> The ABS light comes on sometimes and stays on for an hour or two. Yet,
> the Sears car repair people checked it and found nothing wrong.
>
> All the panel meters read normal.
>
> What are the general items that can cause this condition? What inputs to
> the computer?
>
> Can a person buy a "OBD 1 & 2 code reader scanner" to exercise some
> enhanced troubleshooting techniques. What do these testers cost?
>
> Bob
>

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Tim J.

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Since: Jan 13, 2007
Posts: 71



(Msg. 3) Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 12:32 am
Post subject: Re: Check Engine Light [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
On Fri, 06 Jul 2007 02:32:48 GMT, "Bob Burkett"
wrote:

>I have a 1999 Ford Ranger. The check engine light came and stays on.
>
>The ABS light comes on sometimes and stays on for an hour or two. Yet, the
>Sears car repair people checked it and found nothing wrong.

It's Sears. 'Nuff said.

>All the panel meters read normal.
>
>What are the general items that can cause this condition? What inputs to the
>computer?
>
>Can a person buy a "OBD 1 & 2 code reader scanner" to exercise some enhanced
>troubleshooting techniques. What do these testers cost?

You can get a cheap-o one that will only tell you the codes for less
than $100. If you have an Advance Auto or AutoZone around, they will
generally read the codes for you at no cost. BTW, for a 1999, you'll
only need an OBD II.
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Mike Hunter

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Since: Sep 16, 2005
Posts: 1536



(Msg. 4) Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:37 am
Post subject: Re: Check Engine Light [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
The 'Check Engine' light is illuminated any time the vehicles microprocessor
is operating outside of it design parameters and thus polluting.

It has nothing to do with fluid levels or pressures. Take the vehicle to a
competent tech, who has the proper test equipment, to have the fault
analyzed and corrected, WBMA.

The ABS light has nothing to do with the 'Check engine' light. It too
requires the proper test equipment, like found at you local FLM dealer, to
analyze the fault.

mike

"Bob Burkett" wrote in message

>I have a 1999 Ford Ranger. The check engine light came and stays on.
>
> The ABS light comes on sometimes and stays on for an hour or two. Yet,
> the Sears car repair people checked it and found nothing wrong.
>
> All the panel meters read normal.
>
> What are the general items that can cause this condition? What inputs to
> the computer?
>
> Can a person buy a "OBD 1 & 2 code reader scanner" to exercise some
> enhanced troubleshooting techniques. What do these testers cost?
>
> Bob
>
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Bob Urz

External


Since: Aug 22, 2007
Posts: 66



(Msg. 5) Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:37 am
Post subject: Re: Check Engine Light [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)
Mike Hunter wrote:
> The 'Check Engine' light is illuminated any time the vehicles microprocessor
> is operating outside of it design parameters and thus polluting.
>

It has nothing to do with the "microprocessor" operating out of design
parameters. The micro is probably fine. Its the program in masked rom
that the micro is running that is finding fault with some system or
sensor on the cars electrical systems at some point in its operation
that is outside of its tables of acceptable values.

Of course that is what you meant to say.


> It has nothing to do with fluid levels or pressures. Take the vehicle to a
> competent tech, who has the proper test equipment, to have the fault
> analyzed and corrected, WBMA.

You got that right. Sometimes you can get free scans at some autoparts
stores that might give you a hint of the problem. Sometimes you have to
pay the piper and go to the dealer.

Bob

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