check engine and idle question

I just bought my first tc last week and havent really driven it that much yet but when i do it runs alright but the check engine light comes one and goes off every couple of seconds. I looked and saw the egr was cracked so i replaced it and the light still comes on? I dont have a code scanner but is there anything i could look for to solve the problem? how do i find a vac leak.

Also the car idles smooth but at 1000-1100 rpms? is this normal.
thanks in advance for any help

You are to clear the EEC after each repair to the emission system to clear the memory.

There is no way to exactly tell why your check engine light is on without pulling the codes. It would simply be guessing and likely lead to replacement of good parts (read = waste of money).

You don't need a code reader to read the stored trouble codes. But it's nice.

i seem to recall an article or two in the Tech Articles on how to run the tests without a scanner.

Since it must be an '88 judging by your username, is it the A4LD auto version or the T-5 manual?

Does it come on while idling and then shuts of while driving?

JT

Idle in the 1000 range is good. Since you have a check engine light see the article on pulling codes from inside the car in the Technical Articles. Let us know what you get

You can use carb apray and spray around things to look for a vac leak. If the engine stumbles you found a leak

------------------
NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

how would i clear the EEC? i will pull the codes tommorrow and see what i get? The check engine light does not come on when idleing but when i am accelerating. Its a 5sp. manual trans. thanks for the help

Originally posted by turbocoupe88:
how would i clear the EEC? i will pull the codes tommorrow and see what i get? The check engine light does not come on when idleing but when i am accelerating. Its a 5sp. manual trans. thanks for the help

Ok since it's the 5 speed, i'll scratch off one possibility.

Just go ahead and pull the trouble codes and let us know what the results are.

JT

Read the tech articles... they tell how to clear the memory.

------------------
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 00 Windstar (wifes vehicle)

well i tried running the codes from in the car and i dont think i did it right! i plugged the wires into a harness on the drivers side by where you would put power steering fluid into and when i turned the switch on the car reved up to 2000rpms and the check engine light flashed several times? i unhooked the battery and kept it disconnected overnight to clear the memory. did i put the wires in the wrong place, the harness closely resembled the one in the tech articles.

Originally posted by turbocoupe88:
well i tried running the codes from in the car and i dont think i did it right! i plugged the wires into a harness on the drivers side by where you would put power steering fluid into and when i turned the switch on the car reved up to 2000rpms and the check engine light flashed several times? i unhooked the battery and kept it disconnected overnight to clear the memory. did i put the wires in the wrong place, the harness closely resembled the one in the tech articles.

Yes it is normal to idle high at first since the EEC is moving the ISC into a few duty cycles to look for an RPM change in addition to making the air/fuel ratio rich and lean.

It should back off to normal idle after several seconds. You'll also need to count the check engine light flashes.

It's part of the EEC test.

Have fun.

JT