1/8 tank of gas, rough idle "on & off", then service engine light comes on!!!!

[my1stLS]

1/8 tank of gas, rough idle "on & off", then service engine light comes on!!!!

2000 Lincoln LS V6 -Anyone have any ideas what would kick on my "Service Engine" light?

I had drove about 5 miles on the 1/8th tank of gas and filled it up to Full. Then go to take off and then it has a hesitant rough idle; as well as an on/off again hesitant. I stopped and bought some fuel injector cleaner. The hesitation stopped, but the light hasn't shut off for 2 days now.

I'm just a little worried and somewhat afraid something more is going on with it, any help would be greatly appreciated.

I just bought the car in January of 2013, it was owned by an older couple who took great care of it. Both Ford retiree's and very proud of their purchase.

 

[LithiumCobalt]

Hi my1st,

Unhook the negative battery cable for a few minutes and re-attach. That will clear the engine light, at least temporarily. If it comes back on, take it to your local Advance Auto or AutoZone and they will read the codes for you for free. My bet is on a bad ignition coil or two.

 

[Town]

The check engine light is a diagnostic tool (not an enemy) that says you have or had a powertrain problem. Sometimes the light goes out when the problem is gone, and sometimes not. You should get the code read as LithiumCobalt says before deleting it. Post the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC i.e. P0303) that Advance tells you here and you may get some help in determining what is likely going on. You may get more than one code, and some may be old and not relevant to this instance.

Good luck.