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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
Would old antifreeze cause check engine light to come on?
No.
The check engine light (service engine soon) comes on and stays on when a problem is detected by the self diagnosis system of your vehicle. Generally, the problem is in the emissions or something that is affecting the effectiveness of the emissions, but other causes can trigger the light to come on, too. To determine the cause, the vehicle will need to be taken to a parts store or a shop that has an OBD2 scanner, or for 1995 and earlier models, an OBD1 scanner, While a scanner will not give you the magic answer, it will give you a code that narrows down the problem area.
It was sold "AS IS" for a reason... The problem becomes yours when you purchase "AS IS". Sure this is not what you wanted to hear... However, I am not a lawyer.
Check engine light comes off and on?
The check engine light (service engine soon) comes on and stays on when a problem is detected by the self diagnosis system of your vehicle. Generally, the problem is in the emissions or something that is affecting the effectiveness of the emissions, but other causes can trigger the light to come on, too. To determine the cause, the vehicle will need to be taken to AutoZone or a shop that has an OBD2 scanner, or for 1995 and earlier models, an OBD1 scanner, While a scanner will not give you the magic answer, it will give you a code that narrows down the problem area.
Will the check engine light reset after changing a faulty coil on a spark plug?
Yes it will reset after a set amount of driving cycles if that repaired the problem. Or you can remove the negative battery cable for 5 minutes to reset the light.
You would like to reset your cars odometer reading which software can you use?
Auto manufacturers go to a lot of trouble to make sure people don't try to fraudulently roll back odometer miles to make a car look less "worn out" than it really is. There is no easy way to roll back an odometer other than to just replace it.
oxygen sensor ( in the exhaust , the sensors closest to the engine are used to
" sense " the amount of oxygen in the exhaust to send a signal to the PCM
so the air / fuel mixture for the engine is adjusted under various conditions )
What is the most common problem when the check engine light comes on in a Ford Ranger?
There could be several reasons for the check engine light to come on. You can take it to Advance Auto Parts or Autozone and if the check engine light is on they will hook it to their computer and tell you exactly what the problem is for free.
How do you reset the check engine light on a 2005 Mazda 3?
Two ways the Check Engine Light (CEL) can be reset: (1) use an OBDII scanner to reset it, or (2) disconnect the NEGATIVE battery cable for about three minutes , then re-connect. The latter will make the engine run rough for a few miles because you will also be erasing information stored in the computer that applies to performance. After a few miles, the computer will "re-learn" and everything will be back to normal. If the CEL comes on again, you definitely need to take the vehicle to Auto Zone or another place that will scan the codes stored in the computer and give you the diagnosis of what's causing the CEL to come on.
What does code P1698 for Plymouth Grand Voyager mean?
Trouble code P1698 means: No CCD Messages Received From The TCM
Does the check engine light come on at 85000 miles on a 99 626 and how do you reset it?
Have the cam belt replaced. Ignore this and you may end up with a broken cam belt and serious engine damage. 96 and newer check engine lights are not set by mileage intervals. 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
How do you quickly reset the check engine light on a 1990 2L Subaru Legacy GT Wagon?
Disconnecting the Battery (and Reconnecting it of course) will get the light to go out. Assuming you have fixed the problem, it should not come back on. I do not know if this will "reset" it, though. It may still give you the code for the problem you just fixed instead of a new code if a different problem comes up, but I doubt it.
No owners manual for a 97 Chevy cavalier- what does check engine - EST off light mean?
Sources of owners manual are Dealer, Salvage Yard, Ebay, and many on-line sites. Check Engine light will come on when the computer has detected a fault in the emissions system. Scanning the computer will list a fault code that will help to narrow down the problem. EST is, Electronic Spark Timing. I have a 97' Chevy Cavalier, and my check engine light comes on every once and a while. When it does come on the ETS OFF light also comes on...did you mean the ETS OFF light? or the EST OFF light? ETS OFF means the Enhanced Traction System. I took my car to Autozone and had them read the computer and it had something to do with a misfiring sparkplug, I replaced the sparkplugs and now everything is fine.
Would a bad AC pump cause the engine light?
yes its because a bad ac pump may be locking their for creating more stress on the engine, mainly on idle the engine might try to turn off or run rough their for creating a check engine light low engine power. or cylinder miss fire..............EXCUSE ME but i feel the vehicle owners should be informed.... Iam new to this site but am i the only tech. in this house? I love learning things and iam praying the other subjectcs of my intersst were NOT the same type ive found here.I do not wear a cape, but ive had to re on EVERY AUTO QUESTION i came across...... I would like to elaborate on your question,when you say bad do you meen inop ? iis it cycling,does it click off and on ? bad is a very tough word for a technician.the a/c compressor,if it did seize up your belt would would squeel or seize up.but as the norm,unless you own a dodge p.u. the check engine light could be anything that has to do with the pcm,or ecm.
Where is the oxygen sensor bank1 sensor2 on a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2002 v-8?
left exauhst pipe behind the Catalitic converter
Check engine light and vsc light?
There are pages and pages of things that can cause a check engine light. You need to have it checked with a scantool. Then the code can be diagnosed and repaired.
How do you clear the check engine light on 1997 astro van?
I already know the reason is a tranny issue causing the warning light but it still runs and drives great at this time. I only want to reset the light until the trans is actually bad enough to need the $2500 repair.
What is wrong when the service engine soon light comes on and truck is running rough?
When the service engine soon light comes on it means the computer has found a problem, it should post a code in the computer memory.
Plug a scanner into the port and it should give you the code. From that you can look up what the code means and that will give you some idea of what the problem may be.
Is there a check engine light on a 2002 ford F-150?
It's the " service engine soon " light to the left of the gas gauge instead of the " check engine " light , like it is on my 1995 Ford Explorer
How do you fix check engine code P1580?
what car is it on... year make model... engine size/ auto or manual trans.
That's a VW only code-idle speed control low input- problem with tps on throttle body most likely. R&R.
Does the check engine light come on when the fuel pump goes bad?
It could
See related questions below
It could
See related questions below
Could a flashing cruise control light set off the check engine light or do you have two issues?
Hmmm, never heard of a flashing cruise control light. To answer your question: well, sort of. Could be the same problem causing both symptoms. Auto Zone and other auto parts stores will read your check engine code and let you know what the code means. They don't usually charge anything for this service. According to a dealer, whenever the check engine light comes on it inactivates the cruise control, resulting in both the check engine light being on and the cruise light flashing. Although this is possible, I had a '96 Outback with a nearly constant check engine light that I threw literally thousands of dollars at and never fixed and my current 2000 Forester that lost the head gasket causing a check engine light with several faults and my cruise always worked. Guess it depends on the fault. Go get it checked out. Cheap to find out just what the trouble code is. --Ken
Nissan altima Check engine soon light is on what can i do?
Connect a computer diagnostic code reader and see what the computer is trying to tell you. The light is there to inform you that the computer has detected a "fault", now you need to find out what it is by using the code scanner.
Reset check engine light on 2003 Chevy 2500hd duramax?
You can either bring it in to a Chevy dealer or use a programmer/tuner to reset the check engine light.
Engine management light has come on a vw golf 2012 2.0 diesel?
To troubleshoot an engine management light on a VW Golf a diagnostic light is recommended. The test will display any malfunction codes it reads from the engine computer.
How do you reset the check engine light on a Honda Accord?
-It is actually illegal for Autozone employees to just erase the engine code because they did it before and got sued by several people because they erased the engine code and then something went wrong with the car and the people got hurt in accidents. so they arent actually supposed to. i only know because my boyfriend works there and he and his boss explained this to me one day when i was curious about this exact thing and started asking questions.
I just had the EGR valve replaced on our 98 Accord for the second time in two years. At least the price of the part has come down a huge amount in this time - from $300 to $70 - I suppose since it is a mass produced item since so many 98 Accords have this problem. The last time the car had under 80Kmi so was under warranty but this time I paid an independent mechanic $170 which included the part. He said it is a poor design since even a speck of carbon in the EGR valve can cause it to stay open and the check engine light to come on. And he expects it will happen more often as the car gets older.
An guy who is a mechanic where I work said he thought it was best to clean out the deposits and a good product to do this was Marvel Mystery Oil (at Walmart for about $2 per pint). He said to use 4 oz in the gas tank when filling once per month for a few months. Besides possibly preventing the valve from fouling as often, this should also allow the car to run longer without needing premium fuel, according to him.
Every Honda I have had (and all I have had is Hondas for well over 20 years) has required midgrade fuel at about 120Kmi then premium at around 160Kmi to prevent it from pinging, no matter how many times I had it tuned, the plugs replaced, and the valves adjusted. The guy said the Marvel Mystery Oil will fix this, too - use it once per month until the premium fuel is no longer needed, which will take 3 to 4 months. I have no idea if this will work (it's a Mystery to me! ) but I will give it a try since otherwise this is still an excellent car.
Here is more input from others:
- When I bought the 99 Accord the salesmen told me that the Check Engine Light would come on at about 7K miles and not to be alarmed. This would be freindly a reminder to bring it in for the 1st service he said. Well just as the guy said at aproximatly 7K the check engine light came on. I called the service department and he insisted on me bringing it in so that they would perform the normal oil/filter changes then reset the light. After a bit I convinced the guy to tell me how to reset the light.
- THIS IS HOW YOU RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE 99 HONDA ACCORD. 1. With the Car Off, Press and hold down the Odometer Trip Reset Button. 2. While still pressing the Trip Reset Button, Turn the Ignition Key half way on where all your oil, check engine lights etc.. turn on. Don't turn it as far as you would to normally start the car. Wait a few seconds and the Check engine light will turn off. 3. Turn the key back to the Off position and you're done. What a scam Honda has with the BS Check Engine Light.
- In the repair book it says to remove the number 13 (clock back up) fuse on the passenger side while the ignition is off for 10 seconds. That should work according to the repair. If the light comes back on then u might have a problem.
- Two different things being addressed on this whole topic. 1. To reset the "Maint Rqrd" light, you push and hold the reset knob and then engage the accessories via the the ignition switch. 2. To reset the "Check Engine" light, you need to either pull the fuse already mentioned in previous answers or disconnect the negative battery cable for a while. (Then make sure you know the Radio Code to reset your radio unit so it works).
- The previous steps for resetting the service light and the check engine light also work on the 2000 Honda Accord. Excellent insights! Thank you! Just a note for the novice repairmen: the fuse panel is inside the passenger door on the side of the dash assembly (not under the hood).
- First you need to determine if it is a "check engine light" or a "maintainance required light" A check engine light is usually an amber light with the picture of an engine with a line through it. If this light is on you should take it to a QUALIFIED REPAIR TECHNICIAN who is capable of working on a Honda. They have all the tools needed to diagnose your repair.If it is a maint. required light new Honda"s are reset by holding the trip reset button down and turn the ignition switch to "on" while holding the button. wait until the light goes out (about 15 seconds) before releasing the button. This light will come on every 7500 miles.
- AS YOU KNOW THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS. A DIAGNOSTIC WOULD NEED TO BE RUN TO SEE WHAT CODES ARE COMING UP. ASSUMING THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS AND MADE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS AT A SHOP, THEN THE SHOP SHOULD HAVE RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IF YOU DID THE REPAIRS YOURSELF YOU CAN DISCONNECT THE BATTERY(BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE TERMINALS) LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 15-30 MINUTES. IF YOU RECONNECT THE BATTERY AND START THE ENGINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON, THEN ALL OF THE NECESSARY REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN DONE.
- All you have to do is disconnect the Negative battery terminal. It is not necessary to disconnect both. Once you've disconnected the terminal, let the car sit with no power for a few minutes, then reconnect the battery terminal. Your light should not come on, unless your engine sensors throw another code through your car's computer.
- You DO NOT need to disconnect the battery terminals. All you have to do is turn the key to the "on" position (not running, but so that the radio etc. come on) and hold the trip reset button for about 15-20 seconds. KEEP IN MIND - that the light could be an indication of needed service as opposed to just coming on based on mileage.
- To be clear, you must hold in the trip odometer reset button and THEN turn the key to the "on" position. If you prefer the battery disconnect method, be sure you have your radio code handy to re-initiate.
The best and only true way to reset a "check engine light" is not to go to Autozone or any where that has a scan tool or OBD II and have it turned off just fix the problem then a auto technican will turn it off or it will just come back on in a matter of time,
DON'T disconnect the battery your just going to reset your vehicles memory and reset all emission monitors and have to go through a drive cycle and by time it resets its going to trigger the "engine light" agian.
autozone employees are parts people. a code does not tell you what the problem is, it tells you where to look for the part, dont buy an egr when it says egr under par. look for a technical school around you, for a nominal lab fee (my school's is 12 dollars) they will do a professional diagnosis on your vehicle, and if you buy the part, they will replace it with free labor. disconnecting the battery cables and slapping them together is a terrible way to clear the code as it will only come back and it will also reset your vehicles eprom, which may decrease fuel economy.
*Holding in the odometer trip reset button in then turning on the ignition until the accessories come on only resets your maintenance required light. On a 98 Honda Accord LX under the hood left side right up against the fire wall there is a fuse box. Open the box and look for the ACC back up fuse. It's not your typical fuse, it is larger and square and on my car it is clear. Pull it out for 30 sec or so then stick it back in and go start your car. The light should go out. If it comes back on then you have a code that you need to get fix by a mechanic or something simple like a gas cap and fuel injector cleaner. When you do start your car you should have to reset your clock but everything else should be O.K. This is just to turn off that annoying light but you should get your car checked out or you might have more damage unless you know that your car is O.K. and the light just comes on......
1999 Honda Accord EX V6 Check Engine Light Comes On - Take to Autozone for Free Code Check. If the code reader diagnoses a code P1491, it indicates the EGR valve or port (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) Valve or port (located inside the driver side intake manifold on the top of the engine) has accumulations of fuel debris buildup that is clogging up the valve or port. This fuel debris buildup causes obstruction of the EGR valve or port which causes the Check Engine Light to come on. The purpose of the EGR valve is to channel unburned gas that is released into the exhaust back into the intake manifold to burn it and reduce emissions. The cost to fix this at a Honda dealership is $380.00 and a good independent shop is $180.00. You can also remove the intake manifold and clean the debris from the EGR port yourself. A much easier and less expensive way to fix this problem is to purchase S1-1 Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner (15 ounces per bottle) at Schucks O'Reilly Auto Parts for $9.99 per bottle. Add one 15 ounce bottle to your gas tank (one bottle of S1-1 Red Line to 20 gallons of gas) and fill your gas tank. This will clean your EGR valve and all of the fuel system. You may have to use several bottles (one per tankful of gas) to clean your fuel system depending how much fuel debris buidlup you have in your engine. After the fuel debris is removed by the S1-1 Red Line Complete Fuel System Cleaner, your check engine light will not go off. To get your check engine light to go off, disconnect your positive and negative battery cables for 30 minutes then reattach them. Reset your Honda Accord clock and enter the radio code on your radio to get the radio to work again. It took me a while to research this but it works, its easy, and it will save you money and make your car run efficiently again.
2001 Honda Odyssey: Removing the #13 "Clock Backup" fuse (7.5Amp) for 1 minute or so and then reinstalling it worked perfectly to clear the "Check Engine Light"! The fuse box is located under a small panel by the passenger side right floor kick-panel, very easy access. Keep in mind that I did the maintenance myself to properly fix the EGR problem that had caused the "EGR flow insufficient" code to make my check engine light come on. I performed the repair, then cleared the check engine light by pulling the fuse. Now I can go get my car smog checked! Thanks everybody! God Bless!
