my 2000 mustang 5spd has a touch over 62,000 miles on it...and tonight on a random drive the service engine soon light came on..i know in some nissans..at 75k it comes on to remind for a tune...but i was wondering what in the computer would have triggered this..at a random mileage..and how would i get it to go out? anything would be appreciated..thank you

 

You should get (or borrow) an OBD scan tool. There's no substitute for letting the computer tell you why the light is lit. AFAIK, there are no 'preprogrammed' service intervals that automagically trigger the service light. When I purchased my '99, the "service engine' light was lit (and the seller tried to sell me sum bull**** about 'service intervals') and a quick scan from an OBD scan tool informed me that the O2 sensors reported a 'lean' condition. After poking around, I discovered there were leaks around the airbox, allowing air to enter after/around the MAF (thus the occasional 'lean' condition). The scan tool also allowed me to 'reset' the system, and after installing a CAI, I've never had another 'service' light event. I borrowed a scan tool from a friend, if you must purchase look online (or one of the site sponsors). Knowledge is power ... don't try to outguess a computer.

 

Take it to autozone. They will scan the computer for free and tell you whats wrong.

 

+1. Also if they can't tell you get the code post it up here and we will give you some direction as to what the problem might be.

 

Autozone sucks, I tried to take my car to one here in California and they said they wouldn't check the code for me, but that I could pay a $200 deposit and check it myself in the parking lot and then they'd refund the money if the machine was ok. Seemed like a scam. Perhaps it's California that sucks though, I know they used to do it for free in GA, but I don't know if they are changing policies.

Anyway, now that I'm done with my rant, there is a way to check some codes using the dash. I can't remember exactly how, but I'm sure someone does. I think you hold the trip button and put the key in the "On" position, then when you hear the beep let go and it should pop up some wierd message. You can keep hitting the trip button and cycle through all the features like digital tach and what not, but eventually there is one that shows error codes. That's how I found my faulty oil pressure sensor code. I read somewhere that this doesn't work with all codes so it is best to just get it scanned if you can. But if you have a couple minutes it's worth just checking out. Good luck.

 

HEC Instrument cluster diagnostics

 

http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/dtcodes.htm(if the above link doesn't work) ... this applies to 99/00, and isn't as comprehensive as OBDII codes. I guess it's better than nothing.