Why is my check engine light on? Why wont my truck hold break fluid?

215

Asked by cherikaw Mar 03, 2013 at 08:39 AM about the 1988 Ford Ranger

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have an 88 ranger 4X4 6 cylinder automatic trans. I got side swiped a couple weeks ago. only seemed to be cosmetic but im starting to wonder. Master cylinder is dry. doesnt leave puddles when parked. While driving down the road when my truck shifts it will idle down really low. Only when te check engine light is on. It sounds awful and like its not shifting at the right time.

10 Answers

177,415

To find out why your check engine light is on, go to the parts store and get the codes read. Write down the numbers and start a new question. --- Your brake fluid is either leaking out of the rusted lines or is getting sucked into the engine from the booster. Pull the hose off the booster to see if it is wet inside.

2 people found this helpful.
215

Parts store told me they wasnt sure how to check it. I will go check the booster thank you

Tom got it. If whoever you took it to does not know how to read codes then you went to the wrong place and got, well I won't do name calling and be derogatory about the guy, but let's just say uninformed

345

i doubt autozone can read an obd I system. if you don't see any brake fluid, then there's a good possibility that the rear wheel cylinders are leaking. take it to a reliable shop and have it checked out, and repaired. my philosophy is, if you don't know what you're doin, then don't mess with it.

1 people found this helpful.

Sure they can. IF you get the right guy. I agree gitonwitit that some of the parts store people are not educated by Autozone on how to do it, but some of them do know how. It's all about getting the one that does. The OBDI code readers they sell and use are car specific, they come with a different set of wires to plug in to different kinds of ports going as far back as 1982, until OBDII became standard in 1996, and they came out from under the hood to the cabin. Can't we post pictures anymore? I have an image but there is no more "add a photo" thing

The question about posting images was not aimed at you, git, kinda thinking out loud, but maybe you do know? Anybody?

177,415

Bacon Bob mentioned that we can't post pictures in replies anymore. Must have been costing too much money or something.

Thanks tenspeed I was wondering if it was just me, I have posted copyrighted pictures, unknowingly and thought admin pulled my option

Check all fluids. Top em off if it needs. definitely check trans fluid.brake line prolly has a pin hole in line somewhere. Get under look shouldn't be hard to find

Your Answer:

Ranger

Looking for a Used Ranger in your area?

CarGurus has 1,451 nationwide Ranger listings starting at $2,888.

Postal Code:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    4,420
  • #2
    Bob Beaman
    Reputation
    3,010
  • #3
    Jennifer Gorham
    Reputation
    2,620
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
296 Great Deals out of 15,534 listings starting at $1,712
Used GMC Sierra 1500
126 Great Deals out of 6,796 listings starting at $3,975
Used Jeep Wrangler
144 Great Deals out of 5,075 listings starting at $6,995
Used Toyota 4Runner
15 Great Deals out of 341 listings starting at $9,900
Used Ford Bronco
14 Great Deals out of 1,398 listings starting at $31,499
Used Ford Mustang
51 Great Deals out of 1,253 listings starting at $4,995

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.