Check Engine Light

There are pages and pages and items that can cause a check engine light. You need to have it checked for codes with a scan tool. After repair light can be shut off with scan tool.

Depending on the year it may look like a little yellow engine, or it will say check engine, or service engine soon.

When the check engine light is on it simply means that the computer has detected a problem somewhere. You'll need to take the vehicle to someone who can read the computer fault code or take the vehicle to an automotive parts store that will allow you to borrow, rent or buy a code scanner.

Don't try to guess what's wrong, you'll just get frustrated and put a lot of unnecessary parts in your vehicle.

Other responses have been moved to the discussion page.

The light comes on to tell you of a problem. It's the way the computer tells you that you need to find out what's wrong with the system.

If you clear a code and it comes back, that means that the computer has detected the problem again and that it's a real problem. Fix it, replace whatever has gone bad or have someone do it for you. Then the problem should go away permanently.

I'm having the same problem...I was just told to make sure the gas cap is on tight, when you are done getting gas, turn the gas cap so it clicks three times. Not sure if this is your issue but it is possible.

Possible cause poor fuel pressure. Replace fuel filter first. Doesn't solve problem check fuel presure. Need to know what kind of car you have for futher diagnostics. You're fuel pump may be bad. There are other things that can cause this but need more information.

Your car may be equipped with an Air Conditioning Idle Valve which increases idle speed when the air conditioning compressor engages to compensate for the greater power required to run it. If the A/C Idle Valve is not functioning properly and switching on, then the A/C compressor needs more rpms than your motor is producing at standard idle, and pulling power from the engine itself.

my car does the same 93 maxima se manual transmission. I checked and found out that two of the cylinders are not working so the car is running on 4 cylinders. And that's why the car shakes when the a/c is on not enough power. I plan to either wait till the car gives up or buy a rebuilt engine.

Clean the IAC valve. I had the same problem and I did tune up, changed fuel filter but it still remained same. Then I opened the IAC valve from the throttle body and cleaned it's dust using a Carb cleaner (walmart) and from the very next ride, the AC went normal.. even when idle.

- Sam

It could be your idle control motor (or servo kit), it's part of the fuel induction system and basically regulates air intake. (A new idle control motor should run you about about $200). I had to replace this on my Mitsubishi it cost me $183 to do it myself, which is alot better than what the mechanic wanted ($670.00!!!!)

I have a 93 cavalier. The check gauges light could be burned out. Verify it is working by turning the key fwd but not to the on position and watching the dash to see if the light comes on. Otherwise it is likely a crossed wire or short in the relay that the sound comes out of. Located above your feet on the drivers side. It will have a little speaker on it.

Use an engine diagnostic code scanner to find out what's wrong.

or if you have less then 150k miles on the car, and Honda dealership in the USA has to replace the O2 sensor and any other parts that are directly associated with your emissions. This is part of Honda's national emissions warrenty even if you are not the first owner of the car. I had the same problem with my 96 Honda civic lx and they replaced my O2 sensor, catalytic converter, and exhaust manifold at no charge to me at 142K miles. good luck.

This happened to me in my 1994 Mitsubishi Galant ES. This was a very annoying problem to me. I lived with it for about a year and then the oil change guy said my oil pan plug was stripped and I was leaking oil. It was probably leaking oil all that time and I was just adding more all the time. He suggested a new oil pan and put a temporary plug in. What I ended up doing was taking it to another mechanic who was able to re-thread the plug, replace the oil sensor (and my carbon cannister fell out so he tie-wrapped it but that's another story). After this I have not had this problem. Bottom line is you may just need to replace the oil sensor.

Change to a heavier grade motor oil, higher numbers.

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.

Trouble code P0401 means:Exhaust gas recirculation-insufficient flow detected

Vehicle warning lights are like traffic lights - green = go, Yellow = warning, Red = Stop the vehicle!!.

Most vehicle manufacturers recommend that if the Check Engine Light Comes on the vehicle is safe to drive to your nearest repairer.. G'day fro Aus!!

KIA has a 100,000 miles/10 Year warranty. This should be fixed under warranty.

The cause is most likely an Oxygen Sensor gone bad.

would a bad battery cable in a 95 toyota corolla make a engine come 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.

If it started flashing after the water pump, it is possible that the timing belt/chain is installed improperly.

Hi,

The first thing you would need to do is find out what is causing the light to come on. In order to do that, you need to connect the van to a scan tool or code reader to find out what Diagnostic Test Codes (DTC) are stored in the computer. These will tell you what happened to cause the light to come on in the first place.

Once you have the code or codes, then you will have an idea of what happened and what steps are needed to repair the problem and turn the light off. Most scan tools and code readers can turn the light off, but if the problem is not repaired, then it is very likely that the light will just come back on in a short period of time.

To find the meaning of the codes, you can search the Internet for the exact code to find out what your next step would be. I have provided a link to a site that lists many of the codes for this van.

Good Luck, Greg

There should be a button that says erase. Hold it down for a second and it should clear them. Have the key in the on position with the car NOT running.

You will have to remove and disassemble the cluster

Low voltage (high vacuum) at mass air flow sensor (or MAP sensor).

Something is wrong with the emissions system.

Trouble code P0017 means: Crankshaft position/camshaft position, bank 1, sensor B- correlation

take the car to an advanced auto or a auto zone get the diognastic test and they will re set it for free 9(it has been free for me every time)

This ODB code could indicate a problem with any part of the evaporative emission control system: gas cap, rubber hoses, canister, or purge solenoid.

yes it can cause smog test failure, check engine light will most likely pop up since it controls part of the vapor by filtering it.