Check engine light on 2001 Chevy Prizm came on while driving down the road?

Answer 1

I have a 2001 Chevy Prizm and the reason the engine light turns on while driving is because you could have an emmisions* problem. It is not bad at all and can not harm your car. If you would like to fix this don't waste your time. It is basicly like paying around $200 to turn off a light on your dash board that does not harm your car or the envierment*.

AnswerNothing new. I read from the internet, somebody said that simply disconnect the battery for couple of minites, then re-connect it. It should work. I just did it, and it stayed off so far. Answertry filling your washer fluid, if that is empty it will turn the light on also. you might also want to check your fluids just in case. I had problems with my check engine light on my 2001 though and it has been my rear main seal, my cat.converter, my PCV,my ac condensor, my rank posistion sensor, and my washer fluid. put a peice of electrical tape on it and sell your car while it still runs... ) AnswerRecently had Check Engine light problem. Took it to the dealer two times, they couldn't figure it out. The Check Engine light would come and go. Tried disconnecting the battery cables to "reset" the computer. It cleared it up for a while, but still came back. Seems to come back after driving at highway speeds. Dealer replaced spark plug, fuel filter. I replaced PVC valve and Air Filter. Also tried "RXP" gas treatments. None of those fixed the problem. Last time the light came on again, I tried filling my tank with 93 Octane gasoline...light turned off 5 minutes later. Next tank I filled it up with regular gasoline, and the engine light remained off. I replaced the gas cap but the Check Engine light would come back eventually. I took car to Autozone and had them read the computer code it pointed to the Mass Airflow Sensor. I bought a spray can of Electronic Contact Cleaner (make sure you buy one that is safe for use on plastics). I removed the MAS and sprayed the inside, and let it dry. The engine light has not come on since, and the car does not run rough or hesitate like it did before.

Answer

Did you mess with the air filter? Make sure you sealed the Air Filter Assembly cover properly. I got the check engine on while driving and had done two things the day before. Refuelled with 87 octane. Checked if the air filter was dirty. I checked the fuel cap. I checked the air filter assembly and realized i hadent sealed it properly. I sealed it and after 30 mins of driving, the light turned itself off. Mine is a Chevy Prizm 2000. Done 105K.

ANSWER:

I had this problem for about 5 years and finally a Toyota dealership recommended cleaning the mass air flow sensor. After they did this the light never came back on and the car actually ran much better. It's been about 1 year now and the problem has not come back.