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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
What is code P0307 on a 2004 durango?
Misfire detected in cylinder #7.
See related questins for more info.
Misfire detected in cylinder #7.
See related questins for more info.
Either a leak, bad gas gauge, poor driving habits. We really need more info. Before and after MPG?
Why does a check engine light come on?
The check engine light comes on and stays on when a problem is detected by the self diagnosis system of your vehicle. Generally, a check engine light is lit when there is a problem in the emissions or somthing that is affecting the effectiveness of the emissions. your engine computer found a problem with a sensor or how the engine overall is running Youn need to goto a mechanic shop and have them use a scanner to diagnose the code then tell you what parts and labor it is to repair The " check engine light" is by far one of the most misunderstood technological advances It is a warning light that is illuminated when there is a problem affecting the EMISSIONS of the vehicle.. Don't let it bother you as it is a good thing once you understand it. One point that was brought up 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 a small percentage 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 multiple computers aside from the powertain computer) will run a series of self-tests. They will only run under certain criteria. And they are different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some self-tests or �monitors� 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. There are many different sources for the light to come on. Anything that caused combustion to fail, commonly called a misfire will set the light. Various sensors such as oxygen sensors that evaluate the exhaust before and after the gases are burned in the converter. Transmission codes may set the check engine light to appear. If the car is running okay, get it fixed in a reasonable amount of time such as within the month. It will probably save you fuel if you do. However if the Check engine light is flashing, you should be driving it as damage is being done to the converter. Some emission components are covered beyond the standard warranty. The converter for example is covered up to 80,000 miles by the manufacturer. 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, 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� that are set based on a pre-set mileage. To start testing for the check engine light, you�ll need to find 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. There are self-tests for the oxygen sensor circuit, egr system, evaporative system to name a few. Therefore, another problem may exist. It is emission related. OR hook up a scanner that is capable of clearing codes, and hope that it won�t come back on. But don�t bet on it.. 1996 Ford Contour is sometime caused by a misfire on startup. The error will clear itself after 3 complet warm-up cycles not restarts. A flashing check engine light is an indication of a severe misfire. You need immediate service. go to autozone they will hook up an OBD II scanner to your computer and explain the codes to you. 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. The check engine light comes on at start up for a bulb check. If it stays on with the engine running the computer has detected a malfunction. You need to have it checked for codes. Sometimes it comes on when you have to replace your air filter due to it being dirty. It will also come on when the gas cap is not tightened or needs to be replaced. -------------- Not all systems are able to be read by your local auto parts store. For '95 and later cars, OBD I is used and can NOT be read by autozone or advanced auto. A simple paper clip can be used to jump 2 ports on the diagnostic port and have the Engine light flash a certain sequence. This will then tell you the code to refer to for troubleshooting. Have vehicle scanned to determine problem ---------------- There could be hundreds of reasons ranging from issues with the engine control computer to a clogged exhaust. To find the answer plug a tester into the OBDII port inside the car. You'll find the port under the dash to the right of the steering wheel column. Many auto supply stores will loan you the test unit at no cost or will run the test for you. The tester will either give you a numerical code (which you then have to look up) or will tell you what the problem is on the screen. Once you've fixed the issue you can use the tester again to clear the code and the light will go off. A "Blinking" light typically means that something SEROUS has been detected. Use a code scanner to detect the problem. You will have to get a engine scanner and scan the engine. And it will give you the trouble code or codes, and then fix the problem. The computor is seeing a problem
in the engine system or transmission system. Need to repair. go to auto zone and have them check it for you. its free This could possibly be the engine management light if so it means the system has detected a fault. The car needs to be connected to diagnostic equipment for fault diagnosis and the light to be re set.
A vehicle's computer will give the mechanic specific codes but usually the underlying problem is obvious to you; for example if you unplug the electrical in seats in most newer cars, it will turn on the airbag light which will send codes to your mechanic when hooked up to their diagnostic equipment. These codes usually allow the mechanic to electronically reset the computer in the vehicle therefore turning off the dashlight, or whatever caused the computer to trip electronically... have you had the mechanic hook your car to the computer? They should know what the code means if they have the right equipment..........Hope this helps, wish you question was more specific. If your car's radio screen reads, CODE, this is usually due to a dead battery and happens the first time you go to turn radio back on......
Where is the location of Ford Taurus - Sable secondary air injection system p0411?
Secondary air system - a more geeky term for the Exhaust Gases being Recirculated back into the air intake, better known as the EGR system.
The "Related Questions" below will get you started on your EGR education - hopefully avoiding a needless replacement of a perfectly good, or 'cleanable' EGR valve (been there done that).
If the seals and or gasket is are damaged will the check engine light come on?
There are hundreds of things that can turn the check engine light on, You need to have the code checked and then you can ask a question about the code number.
How do you check engine light 1994 Nissan?
call autozone, or any of you other local part stores, they should have a device to read the the code your check engine light is caused by.. I'm pretty sure that is an obd 1 which may be harder to find a reader for.... good luck :)
How do you pull OBD codes for 1992 park avenue?
Short (A) and (B) terminal with a jumper wire at computer hookup under steering wheel then turn key on check engine light will flash certain number of times for the appropriate code when your done shut off key and remove wire
What are 3 sources that can cause light emissions?
Three sources that can cause light emissions include the sun, which produces light through nuclear fusion, incandescent bulbs that emit light when electricity heats a filament, and fluorescent lights that generate light through the excitation of gas molecules. Other examples include LEDs, which emit light when electrons recombine with holes in a semiconductor, and chemical reactions, such as those seen in fireflies or glow sticks, which produce light through bioluminescence or chemiluminescence.
your vacuum switch is located on the intake manifold to the rear passenger side, it might be stuck open therefor putting out high voltage readings, that's how your computer fugures out if it's open or closed.
AnswerYou might try checking out your emission's systems (misspelled) because it might have something to do with that. AnswerCheck if you got hose off at air cleaner!:) Good Luck!Replace your gas cap! Yes, it might be that simple.
Can anyone tell you what the fix is for trouble code P0440?
What you has is a gas vapor leak in the system, first try tightening or replace the gas cap.
your plenium chamber is made of a plastic material. In one section of it hot gases pass thru it. It now has a hole in it, alowing antifreeze to leak into the intake manifold. Pull your spark plugs and you will be able to confirm what I said was right.
Voltage regulator is in computer. Check Alternator, then check computer
What does it mean when they say a check is a live check?
It means it hasn't reached the point of expiration.
Why might the check engine light stay on in your 2001 Explorer Sport?
You need to see what the code is. Most likely it is an O2 code or EVAP code both are very popular on that model.
or...
there is a crack (or cracks) on your gas filler neck (usually near the gas cap) and the computer is detecting that gas fumes are leaking. That's what the code was on my 2001 Explorer Sport.
What does check engine code on P0446 Chevy Prizm?
Just because you read a code does Not mean that is what is wrong. There are diagnostic steps to take so you do not replace unessary parts. The problem can be as simple as a cracked vacuum hose.jd
Ive had the same code and code PO441 both PO441 and PO446 are only regarding the emissions system not the fuel injectors! mine was the purge solinoid light went out then came back on 4wks later there are a number of things it could be but from things ive read about this is other Chevy prizm owners have had the same constant problems. take it in and have a smoke test done. good luck!!
Why is my engine light flashing?
engine light flashing means there is a code set in the vehicles computer. some lights will flash in certain sequences to tell you what is wrong. another way to tell whats wrong i to take your vehicle to the shop have the diagnostic machine plugged in and it will tell you what the light means.
Where is the fuse for the secondary air injection system on a 1997 VW Jetta GL?
Directly behind the driver's side headlight there is a relay that is clearly marked "111". Below the relay is a small, clear, plastic door that flips up. Under that door are two wires screwed to a junction, and connecting the two wires together is a crude fuse. That's it.
Would motor mounts on a dodge neon 2005 cause the engine light to 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 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.
How do you reset the check engine light on a 1997 Dodge ram?
the check engine light is on because there is an existing code in the computer. to reset it you need a code reader... plug the code reader into the port under the drivers side dash and turn the key on...don't crank the vehicle just turn on the key and when the code reader reads the code just erase all the existing codes and the check engine light will go off unless there is still an existing problem with the vehicle and then it will put another code on the computer causing the check engine light to come back on.
Code readers are some what exspensive,go to local autoparts store and they will scan the codes and reset them for you for free..plus they will be able to tell you exactly what is causing the fault.
