Questions and Answers

Ford Tempo SES Light On Q. 1992 Ford Tempo 3.2 litre engine. Was driving and temperature gauge went sky high. • Changed thermostat, temperature now okay.

• Since changed my Service Engine Soon light comes on intermittently more so when cold or after driving around for about ten minutes.
• Also stumbles and stalls when coming to a stop, still in drive.
• Did spark plug test on my coil, okay.
• Wires changed just under two years ago, look in good condition.
• Changed spark plugs, old ones seemed worn out.
• Inspected distributor cap looks okay.

After doing all this still no change.

Changed the PCV valve and symptoms disappeared, drove all day fine. (however in doing the above things I had disconnected my battery cable and forgotten to tighten it back up, after driving it with no problem I found this out when I stopped somewhere and it wouldn't start, tightened it up and drove home.)

Next day got in and drove away and service engine soon light came back on and car starts to stumble and stall when I come to a stop.

I thinks that's all, can you help?
Mike C.

A. This is one of the most confusing e-mails I have ever gotten. I have no clear cut idea of what the problem is.

Well, whatever it is, the first thing you have to do is pull the codes from the computer and see what they are. The MIL is telling you the computer has detected a malfunction and stored a DTC. Once we know what that code is we will be well on our way to fixing the problem.

I think the stumble and stall when coming to a stop is the TCC solenoid not releasing.

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