Well I'm trying to help a friend who has a 97 escort reset his check engine light. Now I don't know a thing about Fords so I need a little help. Now on fords does this light come on only when something is wrong or does it come on when you hit a certain amount of miles? I don't want to just reset it if he actually needs to take it in for service. Thanks in advance.

if the check engine is on means he has a problem if he plans on getting his car fixed dont disconnect the battery because that will clear the code

might want to try checking 02 sensor too...when i first got my '94 auto the light was on..brought it to the shop and they said they fixed it but it came right back on shortly there after...took it back to the shop and they figured it was the 02 sensor just messed up so they replaced it..but said it was a fairly common problem with fords...or escorts...one of the two

my 94 escort is having the same problem @ 80K. the check engine lights comes and goes and the idle will drop below 800 rpm and rough into a stall. the engine starts right back up. changed all the plugs the other day and none were black and all looked the same.

should i change the oxygen sensor or is this an idle control valve problem?

Sounds like IAC is causing the problem , I would try cleaning it first , should make a world of diff. in the way it starts an idles. An at 80K, Yea I would change the 02 sensor, probaly help kick up your fuel mileage a bit too , There probaly like $40.oo bucks

Oh yea , Forgot-- you need to find out what the codes are!!!! , even if the lite is out now it would still have recorded a code or 3 , maybe more , sometimes you can play lotto off them .

thanks for the info. what is IAC and where do you read the codes? do i need to plug in a computer?

Yea , to pull codes u need a puther , the plug in , Is usually under the steering coloum, There kinda pricey , But theres all kinda options now for you to explore , You can get programs that interface with your home puther , you can buy hand held reader for like $ 400.00 now. The IAC , Idle Air Control Valve , Heres a web site for you lots of info for u read on , Good luck

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/13/c0/3c/0900823d8013c03c.jsp

Thanks for the help. I followed autozone diagnostics and found the IAC to be in good shape. While looking for the oxygen sensor, I discovered the PVC elbow connecting to the throttle body had a large hole causing a severe vacuum leak. I changed it and the idle/stall problems went away. I will have to put some miles on to see if the check engine light still comes on. Can a vacuum leak trigger the check engine light?

Yep it will trip lite , Wont allways tell you thats the problem ,