Bad 02 sensor?

[mustangramair]

I was driving the car last night and everything was fine until i stopped at a stop sign. The car started to have very bad idle surge, 500 rpm to about 2500 rpm. The car was hard to start back up after it stalled out. It drove badly and died out at idle when i was pulling into the garage, i could smell alot of fuel. Then i started it the next day and it fired right up, quicker than usual and idled fine for about a minute then started to smoke (white) and there was alot of smoke. It also wreaked of fuel again. Do you guys have any ideas, i was thinking a bad sensor of some sort because of how quickly the problem came about. maybe an O2 sensor? Thanks guys, Nick

 

[90_Red_LX]

Did the CEL light come on? When was the last time the o2's were replaced?

 

[HISSIN50]

And the codes were?

 

[jrichker]

Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…Codes may be present in the computer even if the Check Engine light isn’t on.

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html

IF your car is an 86-88 stang, you'll have to use the test lamp or voltmeter method. There is no functional check engine light on the 86-88's except possibly the Cali Mass Air cars.

Codes have different answers if the engine is running from the answers that it has when the engine isn't running. It helps a lot to know if you had the engine running when you ran the test.

Trouble codes are either 2 digit or 3 digit, there are no cars that use both 2 digit codes and 3 digit codes.

For those who are intimidated by all the wires & connections, see http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16153 for what a typical hand scanner looks like. Normal retail price is about $30 or so at AutoZone or Wal-Mart.

Or for a nicer scanner see http://www.midwayautosupply.com/detailedproductdescription.asp?3829 – It has a 3 digit LCD display so that you don’t have to count flashes or beeps.. Cost is $35.

Wal-Mart may now have the LCD display scanner for less than $35

 

[mustangramair]

I did not have time to scan the car, i had to go back to college so i didn't have time to mess with anything. I have had the car for about 6 years now and i haven't change the O2 sesnors... The car does have alot of miles. Thanks for all the info jrichker i think i just may buy a scanner, it would be a nice tool to have around. Thanks for all the input guys.