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Jim
Grant has been working in the automotive industry for over twenty
years. In addition, Jim is an ASE Master Technician with advanced
L/1 certification. He works as manager and technician in his
family's automotive business in New Hampshire. He writes weekly
automotive consumer columns and is editor of an automotive newsletter
that is circulated throughout North America. |
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Jim Grant's Tech Tips
'98 Ford Windstar, Stalling Problems
Q:
We bought this ‘98 Ford Windstar van six months ago; for the past
three it has been stalling at low RPM, that is at stop lights, especially
when maneuvering in parking lots. It shivers a little and stops. The Check
Engine light hasn't come on and the shop says without the light on, no
error code shows.
A:
The
Check Engine Light does not have to come on for a code to be stored in
the vehicle’s computer memory. In fact there are many codes that
will not turn the Check Engine Light on at all. But, these type of codes
are rarely a cause for a driveability problem. Also you should realize
that the Check Engine Light will not come on for every driveability problem
either. Your vehicle’s engine could drop dead at every stop light
and still not set a computer code. From your description it sounds as
if there is a basic system problem that the computer cannot/does not control.
If the shop is relying on computer codes as the only diagnostic tool in
solving your driveability problems, then it is time to find a new shop.
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