The On Board Diagnostics system in your Ford Taurus is a complicated computer system that governs your Ford’s health. It communicates through a port located under your dash, and can inform you when there’s a problem with your Taurus. It notifies you through a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) or Check engine light.
When the Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon light turns on in your Ford Taurus dash, your OBDII system has detected a problem. There are many different types of errors your Ford diagnostic system can detect, and can put your engine into limp mode if it feels as though the error or problem is serious.
Limp mode can cause your vehicle to run very roughly, and is intended for you to literally limp the vehicle to your nearest service station. Problems with your check engine light can range from small problems, like not having enough fuel or a loose gas cap, to bigger problems, like a bad crank position sensor, or mass air flow meter.
Today we’ll be showing you how to reset your Ford Taurus Check Engine Light, and giving you a few methods in which to clear your code. Before you erase or clear your trouble code, you should first read your check engine light and OBDII DTC code to see where the problem lies.
Your OBDII system requires three separate driving cycles in order to illuminate your check engine light. If your problem or condition is not present for three consecutive driving cycles, your MIL may be intermittent.
Ford outlines the parameters of a driving cycle as starting your engine from a completely cold condition and driving your vehicle for about 10-15 minutes. If your problem is repaired or taken care of, you can attempt to clear your Ford Taurus code by driving and completing three seperate driving cycles.
If you can’t wait and want your Ford Taurus check engine light taken care of sooner, you can always rent a scanner or OBD scan tool. When you use a scan tool or scanner to connect to your Ford Taurus computer, you can read or pull the codes from the vehicle. This can give you a good start or a good idea as to what the problem with your vehicle is.
You can also clear or reset your MIL status to clear your Taurus check engine light. Be sure to note all of your available trouble codes before clearing your ECU.
If you are having problems smogging your Ford Taurus, you will want a real resolution to your check engine light problem. Clearing your code by using our how to reset Your Ford Taurus Check Engine Light will not help you if you need to smog your Taurus. Because our method of knowing how to reset Your Ford Taurus Check Engine Light is from primarily draining the ECU power, your IM tests will not set in time for smog.
Following this How To on resetting your Ford Taurus Check Engine Light will not only reset your ECU but also your I/M tests as well. If your IM tests are not set, you won’t be passing smog or any emissions tests with your Ford Taurus. Make sure you take the proper steps as to not waste your trip to your local smog facility.
How to Reset your Ford Taurus Check Engine Light
Removing your EFI relay in your Ford Taurus –
There’s a few different ways to tackle the job of resetting your Ford Taurus check engine light by way of your EFI fuses or relays. Open your hood and locate your fusebox in your engine bay. Depending on the year range of your Ford Taurus, this may differ from vehicle to vehicle.
For the first generation of OBDII Ford Taurus vehicles from the years 1996–1999, this fusebox is found in the engine bay near the firewall. For all 2000–2007 year range of Ford Taurus, the fusebox is located near the front of your engine, on the passenger side.
Remove the fuse block labeled Engine Control or EFI 1 or 2, for earlier models between 1996-1999 this fuse can also be labeled EFI. Remove the fuse and head back into the cabin, and turn on your headlights to completely drain your car. Wait 5 minutes and then reset your vehicle’s ECU by re-installing your fuse. Turn the vehicle back on and complete a driving cycle to see if your trouble code returns.
Removing your Battery –
If you want to take a more direct approach to learning how to reset your Ford Taurus check engine light, disconnect the negative terminal to your battery. Repeat the step above of stepping back into your car and turning on your headlights. Wait between 5-10 minutes before reconnecting your battery and starting your vehicle back up.
If your check engine light returns, this represents a more serious issue that you must address. Head over to our DTC Doctor section to learn more about OBDII trouble codes, and how to fix them as well as clear them. Have a question about our DIY How To? Leave us a message below!