Help!

LanceD · January 31st, 2009, 01:01 AM

Ok, problem.

Driving home tonight I felt some kind of "shift" in the engine. No loud noise, just suddenly I was idling rough and I lost some horsepower. About a minute later I smelled what I thought were gas fumes coming through the AC vents. My Service Engine Soon light starts flashing, goes away, and flashes again. After checking things out under the hood when I get home things look ok (no obvious problems), but I'm no mechanic.

Sooo...

Any ideas?

Youngin · January 31st, 2009, 02:26 AM

yeah if you have a tuner .. check the code.

dgt_mustang · January 31st, 2009, 10:56 AM

Check codes.

PacificMustang01 · January 31st, 2009, 12:13 PM

^^^^ +1 check codes. Getting an inexpensive code reader was one of the best purchases I've ever made. Great investment, and should be in the tool box of every modern home mechanic.

Question for you guys though: Aside from California, does Autozone (or similar) still read codes for you in other parts of the country?

The reason I purchased my code reader is because Autozone no longer reads codes in CA. They said it was because of a state law (or ordinance or something) and no auto parts store in CA can read codes for you. I don't even remember hearing about this going into effect. My guess is it may have to do with a conflict of interest....someone sued and/or complained to someone and now they can't do it here.

Got Ford · January 31st, 2009, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by PacificMustang01

^^^^ +1 check codes. Getting an inexpensive code reader was one of the best purchases I've ever made. Great investment, and should be in the tool box of every modern home mechanic.

Question for you guys though: Aside from California, does Autozone (or similar) still read codes for you in other parts of the country?

The reason I purchased my code reader is because Autozone no longer reads codes in CA. They said it was because of a state law (or ordinance or something) and no auto parts store in CA can read codes for you. I don't even remember hearing about this going into effect. My guess is it may have to do with a conflict of interest....someone sued and/or complained to someone and now they can't do it here.

here in IL you can take your car to autozone or napa or really any parts store and they will read the codes for you.

dgt_mustang · January 31st, 2009, 12:25 PM

Im a manager at my autozone and very slowly they are not offering them anymore, we just go to the first stage of it where we are not aloud to "try to diagnose what your problem is" nor can we erase the codes anymore.

stephen · February 1st, 2009, 10:00 AM

I have an actron PocketScan Plus code reader that I got from Sears for about $80. It works fine to read the code and erase it. The manual has a list of the generic codes.

97fordsixer · February 1st, 2009, 03:14 PM

when the light flashes either dont drive it @ all or its missing. just had a problem like this and it was the plug wires. old and rotten will make it not ark...

poindexter18 · February 2nd, 2009, 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by dgt_mustang

Im a manager at my autozone and very slowly they are not offering them anymore, we just go to the first stage of it where we are not aloud to "try to diagnose what your problem is" nor can we erase the codes anymore.

That makes me a sad panda. Cuz my girlfriend's car seems to blow a new code once a week and if I can't tell her to go to Autozone she's going to be calling me a lot more to do shit that takes up my beer and tv time. -.-

winnie51189 · February 2nd, 2009, 12:39 PM

All our parts stores will read codes for free. But we are slow catchin on down her in the South

04mustang232 · February 2nd, 2009, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by poindexter18

That makes me a sad panda. Cuz my girlfriend's car seems to blow a new code once a week and if I can't tell her to go to Autozone she's going to be calling me a lot more to do shit that takes up my beer and tv time. -.-

Come to Advance Auto then, because we still got em' and don't plan on getting rid of them.

mooses · February 2nd, 2009, 03:22 PM

Definitely get the code read so we can figure out what it is. Sounds like a misfire to me.

04mustang232 · February 2nd, 2009, 07:49 PM

sounds like you either blew a plug out or a wire fell off

JASonic · February 2nd, 2009, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by 97fordsixer

when the light flashes either dont drive it @ all or its missing. just had a problem like this and it was the plug wires. old and rotten will make it not ark...

+1!
Flashing CEL means dont drive it. If it flashed and/or is flashing, use another car to get a reader. I would say dont drive it anywhere. Dont even start it. Find out what the code is. Flashing CEL means Satin is under your hood. Never take a flashing CEL lightly. Better to be over cautious than to lose your engine.

Solid CEL's are generally not as severe and sometimes mean nothing at all.

JASonic · February 2nd, 2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by dgt_mustang

Im a manager at my autozone and very slowly they are not offering them anymore, we just go to the first stage of it where we are not aloud to "try to diagnose what your problem is" nor can we erase the codes anymore.

AZ is the shit. The guys at my store are awesome. I always try to buy there first.

boblongtv · February 2nd, 2009, 08:26 PM

My check engine light is always on and the car is fine. I flashed it and it just said o2 sensor something or other.

boblongtv · February 2nd, 2009, 08:28 PM

Also could be a fuel injector. It sounds like the same thing that happened to this dude I no. But I no mechanic

dgt_mustang · February 3rd, 2009, 06:30 PM

Originally Posted by JASonic

AZ is the shit. The guys at my store are awesome. I always try to buy there first.

i cut people alot of deals at my store,

GreenFaleen · February 3rd, 2009, 07:11 PM

you have a misfire, that was the buck in the engine you felt. the gas you smelled was the unburnt gas from the cylinder that missed. Get some ew plugs and plug wires do a hard rest and you'll be fine

January 31st, 2009, 01:01 AM	#1
LanceD Regular 2001 Mustang V6 Slow Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 156 iTrader: 0 reviews	Help! Ok, problem. Driving home tonight I felt some kind of "shift" in the engine. No loud noise, just suddenly I was idling rough and I lost some horsepower. About a minute later I smelled what I thought were gas fumes coming through the AC vents. My Service Engine Soon light starts flashing, goes away, and flashes again. After checking things out under the hood when I get home things look ok (no obvious problems), but I'm no mechanic. Sooo... Any ideas? __________________ Just another middle class white guy.

January 31st, 2009, 02:26 AM	#2
Youngin Hip Hop Artist Byebye V6~ Welcome Home New Pony :P Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Californ-i-A Posts: 6,508 Blog Entries: 1 iTrader: 1 reviews	yeah if you have a tuner .. check the code. __________________ ItaliStang Made.. Maybe Red But Makes One Hell Of A Sig http://www.myspace.com/moddedmustangz Modded Mustang's Song

February 1st, 2009, 03:14 PM	#8
97fordsixer Regular 97 single port w/bolt ons n/a Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: iowa Posts: 218 iTrader: 0 reviews	when the light flashes either dont drive it @ all or its missing. just had a problem like this and it was the plug wires. old and rotten will make it not ark... __________________ bolt ons for now..... split port swap very soon....

February 3rd, 2009, 07:11 PM	#19
GreenFaleen MM's Resident Ricer 2006 Scion tC 13.001@113 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Raleigh/Lenoir, NC Posts: 9,880 Blog Entries: 2 iTrader: 1 reviews	you have a misfire, that was the buck in the engine you felt. the gas you smelled was the unburnt gas from the cylinder that missed. Get some ew plugs and plug wires do a hard rest and you'll be fine __________________ Scion Tc Turbo - 9psi 297whp 287wtq 2500lbs :p MM 4 Banger club: Senior Ricer NCMM #9 "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races." -Carroll Shelby

January 31st, 2009, 12:13 PM	#4
PacificMustang01 Regular 2001 Mustang 3.8L Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 171 iTrader: 0 reviews	^^^^ +1 check codes. Getting an inexpensive code reader was one of the best purchases I've ever made. Great investment, and should be in the tool box of every modern home mechanic. Question for you guys though: Aside from California, does Autozone (or similar) still read codes for you in other parts of the country? The reason I purchased my code reader is because Autozone no longer reads codes in CA. They said it was because of a state law (or ordinance or something) and no auto parts store in CA can read codes for you. I don't even remember hearing about this going into effect. My guess is it may have to do with a conflict of interest....someone sued and/or complained to someone and now they can't do it here.

February 1st, 2009, 10:00 AM	#7
stephen Hardcore Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 1,262 iTrader: 0 reviews	I have an actron PocketScan Plus code reader that I got from Sears for about $80. It works fine to read the code and erase it. The manual has a list of the generic codes.

February 2nd, 2009, 12:39 PM	#10
winnie51189 Hardcore Enthusiast 2000 Mustang v6 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Evansville, Indiana Posts: 1,294 iTrader: 3 reviews	All our parts stores will read codes for free. But we are slow catchin on down her in the South

February 2nd, 2009, 03:22 PM	#12
mooses Regular Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 391 iTrader: 0 reviews	Definitely get the code read so we can figure out what it is. Sounds like a misfire to me.

February 2nd, 2009, 08:26 PM	#16
boblongtv Regular 1999 V-6, 1998 gt Hey she looks fast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Easton, Maryland Posts: 275 iTrader: 0 reviews	My check engine light is always on and the car is fine. I flashed it and it just said o2 sensor something or other.

February 2nd, 2009, 08:28 PM	#17
boblongtv Regular 1999 V-6, 1998 gt Hey she looks fast Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Easton, Maryland Posts: 275 iTrader: 0 reviews	Also could be a fuel injector. It sounds like the same thing that happened to this dude I no. But I no mechanic

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