"Check/service engine soon" light came on

[KillerCharlie]

Where can I go to get just the diagnostic done? I've heard auto stores have the reader, but do they do it for you? I called a couple garages and they all want me to setup appointments.

I need to know if it's okay to drive. It happened on my commute to work (35 minutes each way). I made it there and back and I didn't notice anything different, but the car is old and starting to fall apart (transmission is already bad around 1st-2nd gear). I really need to do errands this weekend and make the commute Monday, but I could take it in Tuesday. Should I be okay doing this?

 

[Vette73]

FIRST RULE...

Year, Make, Model, and any special type like engine/trans/etc...


But AZ/Advance will usually read it for free.

 

[KillerCharlie]

99 Ford Taurus

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
But AZ/Advance will usually read it for free.

Will they do it for me, or just give me the reader to use?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
99 Ford Taurus

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
But AZ/Advance will usually read it for free.

Will they do it for me, or just give me the reader to use?

Unless it has changed they will do it for you. But coem back with the full code like "P0477" and such. As the code is just there to help, it should not be used as a answer to all.

 

[Kaervak]

A SES light can be a number of things. A loose gas cap or a slowly responding O2 sensor can trip a code as can a cylinder misfire. Without getting the code pulled, you'll never know. As far as it being safe to drive, I'd say so since you didn't notice any unusual behavior from the car after it tripped.

Another point of interest, a SES light will only come on after a code has been logged enough times in the car's computer. What has caused your SES light to come on now has happened at least a couple times before. If you can get a code scanner instead of a reader it will show pending codes as well as the current tripped codes.

 

[MovingTarget]

Just take it to Advane Auto Parts or Autozone or something. They will give you the ODB2 readout free of charge with no appointment. Many other such stores will as well.

 

[amdhunter]

It should be safe to drive. The Check Engine Light (CEL) usually comes on at some sign of emissions problem. Probably your o2 sensor or some dumb crap like that.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Yeah, so I took it to autozone and it was a "transmission slippage" error. I had notice the transmission going from bad to even more bad before the light came on (this car is old and has had transmission problems for years). The error indicated either low tranny fluid or damaged transmission. I checked the transmission fluid and much to my horror it was nearly empty. I filled it up and the shifting got a lot better. Hopefully it'll hold out on me a few more months until I get a new car.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Do you have any puddles in the morning under the car after you park it? You could have a leaking seal....the fluid has to be going somewhere.

 

[KillerCharlie]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
Do you have any puddles in the morning under the car after you park it? You could have a leaking seal....the fluid has to be going somewhere.

Not that I've seen. About a year and a half ago I hit a rock and it gashed the transmission fluid pan. When I came back to my car all the fluid was on the ground. Luckily I noticed it and had it towed right away to a good transmission mechanic to get it fixed.

 

[LTC8K6]

Have the tranny fluid and filter changed.

 

[Q]

Yup Advance Auto Parts does it for you for free, I had mine done a few months ago

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Have the tranny fluid and filter changed.

Agreed with this. Check your transmission dipstick and see what color the oil on it is. It should be a deep red color. If it is black or brown, it's burnt and needs to be changed immediately. This should remedy your trans problems. There's no reason a 10 year old Ford Taurus should be "falling apart" unless you're not caring for it at all.