...and now it stays on. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

My 2000 is at 56K miles. I decided to swap out the plugs today(I used platinum 2's), re-up on the anti-freeze, aaand replace the PCV valve. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

One of the (for want of the correct term) long rubber sleeves on top of the plugs wouldn't come out at first, but after much twisting and gentle persuasion, I managed...

The clamp on the lower end of the radiator hose broke as I was attempting to get the sucker off...I managed to clip it with a needlenose sheet metal snip and got that done...

The PCV must've been good and clogged because the new one sounded like a babies rattle when shook- the old one barely made any sound at all...In the nick of time??? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

She drove fine for a 40 minute ride. Then this evening the check engine light started in. When I let off the gas the light stayed off...When I accelerated a little it started it's on-off thing. Let off the gas and the light went out entirely. At idle- same thing...OFF.

Then it stayed on.

I'll be running by AutoZone for a free diagnostic in the A.M. Before I do that, anyone here care to give this a shot, please do! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Could be the plugs, you probably would have been better off with some NGKs. Did you replace the wires too? You might have damaged the wire that might have set off the light. Or could be an O2 sensor or intake gasket. But more than likely the issue is the plugs.

Dan

Blinking is bad. I wouldn't recomment driving it if it is blinking cause that means it is really unhappy about something.

This should help you diagnose your check engine light code translations

Wellll...Took another little ride and the blinking started...and stopped again...with the light...ON. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Edited to add- she appears to be running grrreat!

What brand of plugs did you use?

If you used Bosch that is your problem

I just went through the same thing last weak. I changed (by I, I mean the garage) the plugs(NGK), air and fuel filter and cleaned the ERG and throtle body. Also replaced O2 sensor. These all helped, but the main culprit was the intake manifold gasket(big chunk of the gasket was busted off). Check that as well, it took me 3 trips to the shop to get it fixed right.

Good luck,
marc

When my intake manifold gasket went months ago, the light went on- solid! -aaand there were very real performance symptoms.

The plugs I used were Autolight Double Platinum 2's. Anyone know if these could be contributing factors?? They're good plugs, no??

Autolite doesnt make a double platinum 2. Bosch makes a platinum +2, which has 2 electrodes. Autolite double platinum has platinum on the electrode and tip. You may want to try and track down a set of NGKs or Densos.

Dan

My bad...They ARE Bosch Double Platinum 2's... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Checking the codes for the "check engine" light is a wise idea. With the introduction of OBDll in 1996, it should be fairly easy to retrieve the codes and find the problem. As far as I know a light that comes on and goes off will store a code...but pplotz is right...blinking on/off is an indication that the truck is definitely not happy about you continuing to run her without fixing the problem. You're lucky you have a 2000 and can use OBDll scanning to diagnose. Us first genners have to rely on other less reliable means of diagnosing and sometimes it can nickle & dime us to an empty pocket and a whole lot of frustration.

Good luck...

dawn...