Understanding the check engine light in your 2000 Mercury Cougar can save you from unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. Modern vehicles like the 2000 Mercury Cougar are equipped with an On-Board Diagnostics system, specifically OBDII (On-Board Diagnostics II), which monitors various systems in your car. When something goes wrong, the system illuminates the check engine light and stores diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). These codes can be accessed using an OBDII scanner, providing valuable insights into potential issues.
Ignoring a check engine light can sometimes lead to more serious problems. As a cautionary example, consider a situation where a seemingly minor issue, indicated by a check engine light, masked a critical problem. In one instance, a vehicle with a persistent check engine light (initially for an ABS sensor) was driven for an extended period without proper inspection. Tragically, the oil pressure dropped unnoticed, leading to severe engine damage. This highlights the importance of regularly checking and addressing OBDII codes. A cheap OBDII code reader, readily available online, can be an invaluable tool for any 2000 Mercury Cougar owner.
Below is a list of potential OBDII codes that your 2000 Mercury Cougar might display. This is not an exhaustive list, but it covers many common codes that could arise. Understanding these codes is the first step towards diagnosing and resolving issues in your vehicle.
- P1000 OBD-II Monitor Testing Incomplete
- P1001 KOER Test Cannot Be Completed
- P1039 Vehicle Speed Signal Missing or Improper
- P1051 Brake Switch Signal Missing or Improper
- P1100 Mass Air Flow Sensor Intermittent
- P1101 Mass Air Flow Sensor out of Self-Test Range
- P1112 Intake Air Temperature Sensor Intermittent
- P1116 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor is out of Self-Test Range
- P1117 Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor Intermittent
- P1120 Throttle Position Sensor out of range
- P1121 Throttle Position Sensor Inconsistent with Mass Air Flow Sensor
- P1124 Throttle Position Sensor out of Self-Test Range
- P1125 Throttle Position Sensor Intermittent
- P1127 Heated Oxygen Sensor Heater not on During KOER Test
- P1128 Heated Oxygen Sensor Signals reversed
- P1129 Heated Oxygen Sensor Signals reversed
- P1130 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Adaptive Fuel Limit – Bank No. 1
- P1131 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Lean – Bank No. 1
- P1132 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Rich – Bank No. 1
- P1135 Ignition Switch Signal Missing or Improper
- P1137 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Lean – Bank No. 1
- P1138 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Rich – Bank No. 1
- P1150 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Adaptive Fuel Limit – Bank No. 2
- P1151 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Lean – Bank No. 2
- P1152 Lack of Upstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Rich – Bank No. 2
- P1157 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Lean – Bank No. 2
- P1158 Lack of Downstream Heated Oxygen Sensor Switch – Sensor Indicates Rich – Bank No. 2
- P1220 Series Throttle Control fault
- P1224 Throttle Position Sensor B out of Self-Test Range
- P1230 Open Power to Fuel Pump circuit
- P1231 High Speed Fuel Pump Relay activated
- P1232 Low Speed Fuel Pump Primary circuit failure
- P1233 Fuel Pump Driver Module off-line
- P1234 Fuel Pump Driver Module off-line
- P1235 Fuel Pump Control out of range
- P1236 Fuel Pump Control out of range
- P1237 Fuel Pump Secondary circuit fault
- P1238 Fuel Pump Secondary circuit fault
- P1250 Lack of Power to FPRC Solenoid
- P1260 Theft Detected – Engine Disabled
- P1270 Engine RPM or Vehicle Speed Limiter Reached
- P1288 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor out of Self-Test Range
- P1289 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Signal Greater Than Self-Test Range
- P1290 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Signal Less Than Self-Test Range
- P1299 Cylinder Head Temperature Sensor Detected Engine Overheating Condition
- P1309 Misfire Detection Monitor not enabled
- P1351 Ignition Diagnostic Monitor circuit Input fault
- P1352 Ignition Coil A – Primary circuit fault
- P1353 Ignition Coil B – Primary circuit fault
- P1354 Ignition Coil C – Primary circuit fault
- P1355 Ignition Coil D – Primary circuit fault
- P1356 Loss of Ignition Diagnostic Module Input to PCM
- P1358 Ignition Diagnostic Monitor Signal out of Self-Test Range
- P1359 Spark Output circuit fault
- P1364 Ignition Coil Primary circuit fault
- P1380 VCT Solenoid Valve circuit Short or Open
- P1381 Cam Timing Advance is excessive
- P1383 Cam Timing Advance is excessive
- P1390 Octane Adjust out of Self-Test Range
- P1400 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit Low Voltage
- P1401 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit High Voltage
- P1403 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor Hoses Reversed
- P1405 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit Upstream Hose
- P1406 Differential Pressure Feedback Electronic Sensor circuit Downstream Hose
- P1407 EGR No Flow Detected
- P1408 EGR Flow out of Self-Test Range
- P1409? EGR Vacuum Regulator circuit malfunction
- P1409? Electronic Vacuum Regulator Control circuit fault
- P1410 EGR Barometric Pressure Sensor VREF Voltage
- P1411 Secondary Air is not being diverted
- P1413 Secondary Air Injection System Monitor circuit Low Voltage
- P1414 Secondary Air Injection System Monitor circuit High Voltage
- P1442 Secondary Air Injection System Monitor circuit High Voltage
- P1443 Evaporative Emission Control System – Vacuum System – Purge Control Solenoid or Purge Control Valve fault
- P1444 Purge Flow Sensor circuit Input Low
- P1445 Purge Flow Sensor circuit Input High
- P1450 Inability of Evaporative Emission Control System to Bleed Fuel Tank
- P1451 EVAP Control System Canister Vent Solenoid Circuit Malfunction
- P1452 Inability of Evaporative Emission Control System to Bleed Fuel Tank
- P1455 Substantial Leak or Blockage in Evaporative Emission Control System
- P1460 Wide Open Throttle Air Conditioning Cutoff circuit malfunction
- P1461 Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor circuit Low Input
- P1462 Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor circuit high Input
- P1463 Air Conditioning Pressure Sensor Insufficient Pressure change
- P1464 ACCS to PCM High During Self-Test
- P1469 Low Air Conditioning Cycling Period
- P1473 Fan Secondary High with Fans Off
- P1474 Low Fan Control Primary circuit
- P1479 High Fan Control Primary circuit
- P1480 Fan Secondary Low with Low Fans On
- P1481 Fan Secondary Low with High Fans On
- P1483 Power to Cooling Fan Exceeded Normal Draw
- P1484 Variable Load Control Module Pin 1 Open
- P1500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent
- P1501 Programmable Speedometer & Odometer Module/Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent circuit-failure
- P1502 Invalid or Missing Vehicle Speed Message or Brake Data
- P1504 Intake Air Control circuit malfunction
- P1505 Idle Air Control System at Adaptive Clip
- P1506 Idle Air Control Over Speed Error
- P1507 Idle Air Control Under Speed Error
- P1512 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Closed
- P1513 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Closed
- P1516 Intake Manifold Runner Control Input Error
- P1517 Intake Manifold Runner Control Input Error
- P1518 Intake Manifold Runner Control fault – Stuck Open
- P1519? Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open
- P1520? Intake Manifold Runner Control circuit fault
- P1519? Intake Manifold Runner Control fault – Stuck Closed
- P1520? Intake Manifold Runner Control fault
- P1530 Open or Short to A/C Compressor Clutch circuit
- P1537 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open
- P1538 Intake Manifold Runner Control Stuck Open
- P1539 Power to A/C Compressor Clutch circuit Exceeded Normal Current Draw
- P1549 Intake M
This list provides a starting point for understanding potential issues with your 2000 Mercury Cougar. When you encounter a check engine light and retrieve an OBDII code, it is crucial to consult a reliable repair manual or a professional mechanic for accurate diagnosis and repair procedures. Remember, while an OBDII scanner provides a code, it points to a system or area, not always the exact faulty component. Proper diagnosis often requires further investigation and expertise.
Regularly checking your 2000 Mercury Cougar’s OBDII system is a proactive step in maintaining your vehicle’s health and ensuring its longevity. Don’t ignore the check engine light – it’s your car’s way of communicating potential problems before they escalate into major repairs.
