My son has a 1997 Ford Taurus. We cannot get the check engine light to turn on when the key is first turned on, therefore he cannot get it to pass inspection. Every year we think it will stay on durin

Asked by Richardthe3rd May 01, 2012 at 10:50 PM about the 1997 Ford Taurus G

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

We cannot get the check engine light to turn on when the key is first turned on, therefore he cannot get it to pass inspection. Every year we think it will stay on during start up, but it stays off.  Even when the mechanic hooks a cable up to the connector under the dash and reads codes, the "check engine soon" light is off.

Two years ago, we removed the entire dash board to replace the bulb, but when we touched it to remove it, it turned on.  It worked for a few months, but then at the next inspection it would not light up again.  The mechanic could not get it on.  Then a mechanic who know '97 Taurus cars well, did a simple thing under the dash and the light came on.  This year we have the problem again.

4 Answers

24,415

Sounds like the bulb simply has a bad connection and the mechanics are just moving the bulb around until it makes connection for a while. Try to get the bub in a position that it makes contact and use some silicone to hold it in place. Silicone stays pliable and will hold bulb in place. Make sure to strategically place the silicone on base of bulb and board.

295

Replace the bulb. The wire in the bulb has gone bad. If that doesnt fix it its probably a wire issue.

495

get a new Ford gas cap from a Ford dealer. No not a generic brand --the Ford gas cap.

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