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check engine light flashed 3 times and came on

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Old 11-08-2009, 09:18 AM
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Default check engine light flashed 3 times and came on



As soon as i thought she was fixed. so last night im driving home down the highway i went to pass a car , It was a ford Taurus probly 1999-2003. I go to pass him, He decides im not aloud to pass him after im about 3/4 to a full car length in front of him in the passing lane , I see him creeping back up beside me , so me beeing a really really stupid dumb kid, I get on the go pedal and the guy in the Taurus apparently wants to race so i take him up to 90 mph he lets off i win rkr then my service engine soon light flashes 3 times and then stays on . i notice no loss of power no slowing down in fact car kept going faster i let off at around 100mph .

When the engine light came on the car was smooth no performance loss at all nothing really happened other than my engine light flashed and came on.

Any ideas?

My car is a 1998 SE

thanks
Old 11-08-2009, 09:27 AM
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Sounds like a misfire but get your DTC'* pulled. You might not have noticed a couple of random misfires when you were kicking it.
Old 11-08-2009, 09:41 AM
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Need it read to be sure, but I'm sure it'* a misfire. Inspect the plugs. You will likely have a P030x code with the x being the cylinder the misfire was on. Look at that plug real close. If it'* a single code, the problem could be plug, wire, or injector. If it'* a pair of codes and those codes match a coil, the coil could be bad. If it'* a P0300 code that'* random and could a other issues.
Old 11-08-2009, 07:24 PM
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Is there a way to clear the code, ( just get the light to shut off) So i can see if it comes back on, i hope to get new plugs and wires next weekend , i tested my wires today with a _________ ( cant remember the name ) you touch the wire with it and it indicates the spark with a flashing light. i had some wires weaker than the others .
Old 11-08-2009, 07:29 PM
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The code should be stored, so just need a scan.
Old 11-08-2009, 07:42 PM
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oops! sorry i was unclear i meant can i get the light to shut off with out a scan tool , like if i pull the negative wire on the battery ?
Old 11-08-2009, 07:45 PM
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The light will shut off on it'* own if the conditions that cause the light are no longer there for a certain number of start ups. but I don't recall how many starts that takes.
Old 11-08-2009, 09:42 PM
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just take off both battery cables and touch them togeather and it will clear the code
Old 11-08-2009, 10:16 PM
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Usually, for most codes, it takes three clean runs to clear them.
Old 11-09-2009, 07:33 AM
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A flashing engine light indicates a potential catalyst damaging condition. Which usually comes down to a misfire. Your car would like to tell you what is wrong with it and a free scan at the local Autozone/Advance/Checker etc would be a good idea.

Some codes clear with 3 consecuative drive cycles where the item does not fail, others with 50 and others won't clear. You can clear the light by unplugging the pcm for about 30 minutes.


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