Author Topic: Too Lean Chk Engine Light??? (Read 810 times)

Hawklore · « **on:** November 22, 2006, 04:54:44 PM »

Mazda B4000 1998 77k miles (1k from oil change, needs it soon though it's allready brown/rust colored)

I've been having a problem with my check engine light, took it in it was for the IAC. (Idle Air Control) Replaced it, etc.

The day after they replaced it my engine refused to start, and I applied some gas,

I was alone, and needed the damn thing to start, it back fired (As I expected it to),

and within 4-5 starts after that a check engine light comes on.

Take it back in, tell them to figure out what it is, (Allready went to Advance Autoparts and had them give me some ideas, and read the Chck Eng Light)

They said they can't figure it out and that I'm gonna have to take it to the Ford dealership if it comes back on.

I can't find any loose or cracked hoses.

One thing I DID notice though was that my airfilter compartment was slightly open, wasn't closed all the way, and have since then closed it and cleaned the airfilter (was only dusty from dirt road travel).

Any other ideas before I take it to Ford?

Please explain any acronyms, not the sharpest car nut.

Also, anyone used one of these?

http://www.softopper.com/index.html

Thinking of using it instead of my hard top..(Possibly selling the hardtop, for $$)

Only thing I use my hard top for is camping and storing items inside the bed so they don't get wet.

Debonair · « **Reply #1 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:03:16 PM »

"check engine" light should be renamed to "empty your wallet"

WhiteHawk · « **Reply #2 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:11:16 PM »

If you havnt given it a tuneup latley and its past due, tune it up. Plugs wires, points and cap if applicable. This probably wont fix the problem, but it might, especially if your car has been running worse and worse for a few months and finally wont start. Change the Air filter if it is over due. About 10000 miles for that. Change the fuel filter if it is overdue or you dont know when it has been changed. These are the easy inexpensive things. Outside of those, you will be needing a half gallon of vaseline for your trip to the dealer. Good luck.

Flit · « **Reply #3 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:13:03 PM »

Don't forget to reset the ECU
Unplug the battery for a while, just make sure you have your radio code!

eskimo2 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:15:49 PM »

Stick a bit of this over the light; problem solved

john9001 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:27:25 PM »

buy a 1956 chevy 6 cyl, 3 speed manual tranny, we don neeed no stenkn computers.

Debonair · « **Reply #6 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:59:13 PM »

last time my check engine light went on, i checked the engine.
a clip had fallen off of the air box & i put it back on, light went off.

Hawklore · « **Reply #7 on:** November 22, 2006, 05:59:31 PM »

The problem is the Chk Eng. Light says too lean on both sides..

It only wouldn't start that one time..

BTW, everything was coverd under warranty, and it's CarMax i'm having to deal with..

Great buying experience, but repair and servicing, about the same as anywhere else, maybe nicer, but no smarter..

VVV · « **Reply #8 on:** November 22, 2006, 06:23:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by eskimo2

Stick a bit of this over the light; problem solved

dmf · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2006, 06:24:07 PM »

Believe it or not check your gas cap, make sure its all the way screwed in all the way, a girl at work had a check eng light on and took it everywhere in town, nobody could figure out what was wrong till an old man at NAPA tightened the gas cap.

Hawklore · « **Reply #10 on:** November 22, 2006, 07:14:52 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by dmf
Believe it or not check your gas cap, make sure its all the way screwed in all the way, a girl at work had a check eng light on and took it everywhere in town, nobody could figure out what was wrong till an old man at NAPA tightened the gas cap.

Nah, it's not that, is says too lean..

And I've changed the gas since then...

But I will try it..

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #11 on:** November 22, 2006, 07:19:49 PM »

From what my mechanic told me. If the Ceck engine light is amber its something to do with emissions

If its red. Your screwed LOL

Hawklore · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2006, 07:28:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
From what my mechanic told me. If the Ceck engine light is amber its something to do with emissions

If its red. Your screwed LOL

Mines yellow..

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2006, 07:30:51 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hawklore
Mines yellow..

Ok well he said if its amber is has somethign to do with the emissions
If its yellow it has something to do with the stuff comming out of the exhaust

Hawklore · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2006, 08:15:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by DREDIOCK
Ok well he said if its amber is has somethign to do with the emissions
If its yellow it has something to do with the stuff comming out of the exhaust

Gotcha..

I'll tell the mechanic when I get a chance..