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Check Engine Light
The check engine light comes on in a car when the engine is experiencing a problem. Ask questions here about your car's check engine light.
7,238 Questions
Yes, very common. Replace solenoid pack.
The volt (V) is the SI derived unit of electric potential difference or electromotive force. It is named in honor of the Lombard physicist Alessandro Volta (1745-1827), who invented the voltaic pile, the first modern chemical battery. Scroll down to related links and look for "Volt".
Can you pull the code from your 1996 tbird with out a scanner?
Many auto parts retailers will let you use a scanner, in the hopes that you'll be buying parts from them. Depending on how busy they are, you might even find a clerk who is curious/helpful enough to offer assistance connecting and reading the code. Check the big "chain" auto parts retailers such as Checker, Kragen and Auto Zone. Even if they won't help, they usually have a "loaner" that they'll let you use in the parking lot.
Why does the check engine light go on in a 2000 Pontiac SunFire?
The on board diagnostic computer has detected a problem and has stored a trouble code. Take it to the shop or buy a code reader (Warning, they cost around $200) to find out what is wrong. There's probably 50 different reasons why the check engine light comes on. Normally, the car will run fine but it may get poor fuel mileage or something similar to that depending on what sensor is malfunctioning. I had the same problem and it was only that the gas cap was not tightened when my son put gas in the car last. All I did was tighten the gas cap 5 or 6 clicks and the engine light went out, TRY IT ! It sure saved me a pile of $$$$ At first I thought it was the fuel pressure regulator or EGR sensor (Valve?) If all else fails take it to have the codes read at local dealer, but check the gas cap first to ensure it is tightly on. GOOD LUCK... Mary This is not an uncommon problem with Sunfires or Cavaliers. The engine light is controled by several sensors. These sensors can be set off by just about anything, even just changing the oil. Before you take it anywhere to get the computer read, you may be able to save yourself some money by just unhooking the battery. If it is just a wonky sensor you should be able to unhook the battery and let the memory of the computer reset itself. The best way of doing this is unhooking the battery when you park your car for the night, and leave it unhooked for the entire night. The next morning, hook it back up and go about your business. If the light comes back on again, then you should take your car to a garage to have it checked out. If you haven't heard any noise or noticed any difference in the performance of your car, 9 out of 10 times, it's a wonky sensor. Csn't say I 've come accross a wonky sensor, but anyways: Pull the codes from the computer, match the code to the troubleshooting procedure, follow the procedure to find the source. Repair the source, light will go out if that was the only problem. There are "monitors" or self tests the computer runs the car through a drive cycle, if a problem occurs, it may not run all of the self tests until that problem is taken care. Therefore, another problem may exist. It is emission related. OR hook up a scanner that is capable of clearing codes, and hope that none are still active. The " check engine light" is by far one of the most misunderstood technological advances by the public. I am sure I will revise this as time goes on, as it is an in-depth understanding for the public. It is a warning light that is illuminated when there is a problem with the EMISSION SYSTEM only. Emission system being the pollution control system. Don't get a hard on against it as it is a good thing once you understand it. One point that was brought up a a recent meeting of technicians was that the amount of hydrocarbons is greater when the gas cap is left off than when the engine is running. Hydrocarbons are part of pollution emitted as gasoline evaporates. Going a step farther, one facet of the emission system is the "Evaporative" portion. This is when the fumes from the gasoline are leaking from the system into the outside air. This is one part of the emission system that can trigger a check engine light. I would say that about 7% of the vehicles that have a check engine light are the result of a loose or inadequate gas cap. But understand that many scenarios are possible with the "check engine light" The vehicle's powertrain computer (note that some vehicles have 17 different computers) will run a series of self-tests. They will only run under certain criteria. And they can be vastly different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some self-tests are not run until preceding ones have run successfully. So if there is a problem in one particular area that is preventing another self test from running, you can have a situation where one problem is fixed, but another still exists. If you fix a problem and drive the car through a drive cycle that sets the monitor (or self test) the light will go off as it passes that criteria that triggered it in the first place. After 1996, the auto industry went to a idea called OBD II (on board diagnostics). This was to get all the manufacturers onto a similar plane for troubleshooting and powertrain control. While they still differ vastly, many corrections and adaptations were made for technicians to better fix the check engine light problems. Prior to this there were so many different and poor troubleshooting data from a check engine light problem that resolving the problem was much more difficult. Many early warning light of this nature were set to illuminate based on mileage. An Oxygen sensor was one of the things that were meant to be replaced when that mileage was hit. This is much like many current "Change oil lights
What do the engine warning light symbols mean on an Infiniti?
have an engine diagnostic check at an auto shop to find out what the problem may be.
You have a vacuum leak. Check all vacuum lines and replace as necessary. Due to the fact that the car stalls when the brakes are applied, this may indicate a busted diaphragm in the brake booster. Replace all vacuum lines that are suspect, and take a close look at the large vacuum line going to the brake booster. If after replacing all defective vacuum lines the problem persists, look closely at the booster. A vacuum gauge will verify if it is indeed defective. Be sure and replace all vacuum lines one at a time to avoid getting confused. One other possibility is a bad intake manifold gasket. Good luck.
HI, I've looked at this thing all which ways and the only thing I can come up with is an occurance at the same time. The back up light switch either went bad or moved.is a logical solution or a wire came off or has been broken. If one of those things has happened then your backup lights will fail. To check the switch you only need to remove the shift console and rear console to get to the switch. I don't see any way that the loss of backup lights wil cause the "Check Engine Light" to come on unless by losing a ground it will cause the circut to see a fault but I can't find a connection. I hope if someone ses a way or knows more, I surte hope they'll chime in. Good luck. Steve H.
Ding>
97, tracker (sport?)
the switch is on the tranny side casing called PRN switch. and is NOT in the console.
and is not related to the ECU CEL lamp at all.
unless you blow a fuse. which you didnt.
the back up lamps simply wire to the PRN tranny switch (AT only ,you didnt say tranny type , and there are 3)
and this switch has power from the ignition,
the switch closes and 12vdc is feed to the back up lamps. they then glow.
the wire can be open or grounded out, and many trailer wirings schemes go wrong.
the wire can be cut at the tranny or inside the left rear tail light housing.
this cavity has the trailer conn. look for hack jobs here.
if tranny switch closes and you get power to the wire then the switch is good and it is very expensive.
use a test light or cheap voltmeter. to find the problem.
How do you turn the check engine light off 1997 infinity I 30?
Have vehicle scanned to determine problem
Reset check engine light on 2000 Acura TL?
Disconnect the negative terminal to the battery for 3 min.. It worked for me :)
What does it mean by my Ford Taurus - Mercury Sable engine is running lean?
Starting at the beginning...
The engine burns a combination of fuel and air - in fact, gasoline will not even burn all by itself, it requires the presence of some air.
The engine computer controls the mixture / ratio of how much air and how much gas is perfect at any given time.
All those sensors that you find all over today's car are feeding information to the computer - things like the temperature of the air, the barometric pressure, the temperature of the engine coolant, how much oxygen is in the exhaust, and so on.
Based on all this information, the computer will adjust the mixture to more fuel, or less fuel, more air or less air.
Sometimes the computer gets it wrong based on something is starting to go wrong with some part of the system.
Another situation that is very common that results in the mix being wrong is when air is sneaking into the system, bypassing the sensors in a way the computer doesn't know the extra air is even there.
When you hear the term "vacuum leak", that's a reference to air sneaking in through a broken rubber hose, a seal that has hardened and shrunk, or a dozen other situations.
When there is too much fuel in the mix = "rich condition".
Not enough fuel, or conversely, too much air = "lean condition".
- Lean condition is more common than rich
- Lean condition trouble codes:
- 171 - Bank 1 (backside row of engine cylinders - by the windshield)
- 174 - Bank 2 (front row of engine cylinders)
This concludes the first lesson in Air/Fuel Mixtures 101
See "Related Questions" below for more...
"Check Engine" light comes on when you turn ignition switch on and should go off when engine cranks.
What to do if check engine light comes on and oil level is good?
The oil level will not cause the check engine light to come on.
See related question below.
The oil level will not cause the check engine light to come on.
See related question below.
What is the fuel pressure on 2001 Chevy Suburban?
THE FUEL PRESSURE ON ALL CHEVY'S 95 AND UP IS 60 TO 65 PSI
You also need to clean the "passages". EGR valve puts exhaust gas back into the engine intake under less than full power situations. When that happens exhaust deposits build up on the walls of the passages. Replacing the EGR valve was only half the repair, you also need to clean it out.
There is a tube from under the EGR valve to the exhaust manifold. That is probably blocked.
Why does the check engine light keep coming on in the 2002 Ford Focus?
I had this same problem, the check engine light came on as well as the fuel light with ample fuel still in the tank, turned out that the VM value was bad, or vapor managment value, so it doesn't just have to be the engine can also be fuel system problems.
AnswerGO TO AUTO PARTS STORE ASK FOR OBD 2 READING ON YOUR CAR. THAT WILL TELL YOU WHAT IS WRONG.How do you reset the service engine light on a 2003 Buick Century?
The check engine light on all newer vehicles can only be reset when number 1 the problem causing the warning is corrected, then the light can be reset using a code reader. Pull the codes from the computer, match the code to the troubleshooting procedure, follow the procedure to find the source. Repair the source, light will go out if that was the only problem. There are "monitors" or self tests the computer runs the car through a drive cycle, if a problem occurs, it may not run all of the self tests until that problem is taken care. Therefore, another problem may exist. It is emission related. OR hook up a scanner that is capable of clearing codes, and hope that none are still active. Disconnecting the battery can create other headaches and will not likely solve your dilemma. Best bet is to contact the local snap-on dealer and have him refer you to a known good shop that specializes in this technology-he will know. The " check engine light" is by far one of the most misunderstood technological advances by the public. This is an needed in-depth understanding for the public. It is a warning light that is illuminated when there is a problem affecting the EMISSION SYSTEM only. Emission system being the pollution control system. Don't get a hard on against it as it is a good thing once you understand it. One point that was brought up a a recent meeting of technicians was that the amount of hydrocarbons is greater when the gas cap is left off than when the engine is running. Hydrocarbons are part of pollution emitted as gasoline evaporates. Going a step farther, one facet of the emission system is the "Evaporative" portion. This is when the fumes from the gasoline are leaking from the system into the outside air. This is one part of the emission system that can trigger a check engine light. I would say that about 7% of the vehicles that have a check engine light are the result of a loose or inadequate gas cap. But understand that many scenarios are possible with the "check engine light" The vehicle's powertrain computer (note that some vehicles have 17 different computers) will run a series of self-tests. They will only run under certain criteria. And they can be vastly different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some self-tests are not run until preceding ones have run successfully. So if there is a problem in one particular area that is preventing another self test from running, you can have a situation where one problem is fixed, but another still exists. If you fix a problem and drive the car through a drive cycle that sets the monitor (or self test) the light will go off as it passes that criteria that triggered it in the first place. After 1996, the auto industry went to a idea called OBD II (on board diagnostics). This was to get all the manufacturers onto a similar plane for troubleshooting and powertrain control. While they still differ vastly, many corrections and adaptations were made for technicians to better fix the check engine light problems. Prior to this there were so many different and poor troubleshooting data from a check engine light problem that resolving the problem was much more difficult. Many early warning light of this nature were set to illuminate based on mileage. An Oxygen sensor was one of the things that were meant to be replaced when that mileage was hit. This is much like many current "Change oil lights
How do you turn of the change oil and service engine soon sensors?
It's different for every manufacturer. Look in the owners manual. There should be a section describing the process. If I understand you correctly, you're meaning reset the "Change Oil" light that comes on? I have a 2000 Grand AM SE. What I have to do is, turn the ignition to the "ON" position. Pump the gas pedal 3 times & that should do it! Hope this helps
You reset it with an OBD2 scan tool. First of all... how do you know its a false code? Second an OBD2 scanner can be purchsed for about 75 bucks and is a nice tool to have... it does have a function to clear all codes. However, If you are sure the code is false, disconnecting the negative termianl on the battery for 15 seconds will clear the "freeze frame" codes from the computer's memory. If the service engine light comes back on when you reconnect the battery. The code is not false.. something is wrong!!!
Why would a 1997 Hyundai Elantra's check engine light stay on?
Check your gas cap. Lots of times its not on tight and causes your light to come on. After you check your cap remove your negative battery cable for a minute to clear the computer and then see what happens
How do you reset the check engine light on a 2001 Tacoma 4 door?
If you have fixed the problem that caused the light to come on, the easiest way to clear it if you do not have a scanner/reader, is to disconnect the battery for about 10 minutes, then reconnect it. But you will have to reset all of your radio and clock settings, and the truck may seem to run and drive strange for a short time while the computer "RELEARNS" all the information it needs.
Why would the check engine light come on after changing the spark plugs on a 2003 gmc envoy?
Have the codes checked to know possible causes.
Have the codes checked to know possible causes.
What does code c mean on your 2002 dodge ram 1500?
"c" codes are chassis codes. Such as ABS failures.
