How to Turn the Check Engine Light Off in a '92 Ford Escort

The check engine light in a 1992 Ford Escort is designed to notify the driver of potential problems with the vehicle. The engine control module, or ECM, actively monitors a number of sensors within the vehicle to ensure that all of the systems are operating properly. When the ECM senses a problem with any of the vehicles systems, it stores one or more trouble codes in its internal memory and illuminates the check engine light. When the trouble codes are cleared from the ECMs memory, the check engine light turns off automatically. An automotive scan tool is the only tool capable of properly clearing the codes from the ECMs memory.

Instructions

1

Stop the vehicle on a flat surface and shift the transmission into park (or first gear for a manual transmission). Apply the parking brake and turn off the engine. Rotate the ignition back to the ON position.

2

Connect the scan tools data cable to the Escorts diagnostic data port, located underneath the dashboard on the drivers side of the vehicle, just above the pedal area.

3

Power on the scan tool and select ECM from the tools main menu. Choose Trouble Codes from the ECM menu. Select Clear All Current and Stored Trouble Codes from the Trouble Codes Menu.

4

Wait a moment while the scan tool clears the codes. Depending upon the speed of your scan tool, this can take anywhere from five to 60 seconds.

5

Turn off the scan tool and disconnect it from the vehicle. Start the engine and make sure that the check engine light is no longer turned on.