All my engine light came on, and an trying to decide if I should take it into a dealer or find a private mechanic. I live in Hawaii, and there are not a ton of private mechanics around. I guess my question what are some common reasons for the engine light? What can I expect to pay? I did notice there was also a red light blinking in my hood near the passenger side.

Thanks for your help in advance,

j

 

What year car you have?? Still have factory warranty?? if so, then yes dealership, heck dealership regardless. Private mechanic, unless you know if, may gouge your eyes out. Your call, but imo, the dealer. You have a tuner??? if you have one, check the codes yourself and see what you got

 

If you have an Advanced auto or Auto Zone or similiar, they will check it for free and tell you what the code relates to.

 

Take it to the dealership. I've never heard of any blinking lights under the hood.

 

Run, don't walk away from it. The red light may be a bomb. (see Casino Royale) Take it to a dealer for bomb disposal.

 

Most common cause for CEL - loose gas cap.

 

I've had the CEL x 3.
One after deployment, they didn't know what the code was, they had never seen it, they called Ford, and they didn't know. They reset it, and I didn't get that code again. (I think it was a code for WTF, you bought me, and put me away for 6 months? DRIVE ME DAMNIT!!!!)
Next one was for loose gas cap.
and the last one I got is for a faulty CAT. They asked if I wanted to order a replacement, I said NOPE, I have new headers that will be getting installed here soon...

 

What codes is it throwing again?

 

Blinking red light under the hood?[sm=bling.gif]

 

It may be something from the emmissions. Those are covered for 8 years, 80,000 miles per Fed Law. So if you need a new CAT or O2 sensor, no cost to you. Take it in to a dealer if you don't have a tuner or Autozone need you.