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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 a trouble code P 0705?
Trouble code P0705 means: Transmission range sensor circuit malfunction (PRNDL input)
Can too much oil cause stalling?
yes! Too much oil can cause the spark plugs to foul(ie;oil fouled)a black oily electroid prouducing a weak spark. Which in turn could cause stalling.
How can you check a 2001 Silhouette service engine soon light?
The quick, dirty, and cheap answer is tighten your gas cap until it clicks at least 5 times. With in one or two days the vacuum in the gas tank will build up and reset the code. The not so cheap answer is take it to a dealer with a blank check, he'll tighten your gas cap and charge you $150. Or you can buy an OBDII Code reader or better a decoder that hooks to your car's computer and reads out your engine diagnostics real time. OBDII stands for OnBoard Diagnostics level 2 and replaced the older OBD1 around 1996. It tracks hundreds of items such as ignition timing, fuel trim and pressure, the number of times your Oxygen Sensor transitions from rich to lean(I got that one)and a list longer than your arm, including loose gas caps. It's a phenominal system which can even tell the police how fast you were going and if you applied the breaks before you plowed through the front window of that car dealership you love so well. The real problem with this system is that there is no way for it to tell you whats on its mind without an expensive interface that the dealer has. Until now that is. Take a look at http://www.scantool.net/, they sell a low cost OBDII decoder which will read the codes, reset the MIL(Check Engine Soon) Light, and give you data to help you determine what's wrong (loose gas cap?). It runs on an older PC or Laptop which allows you to get on the fly readings(you read, someone else drives). It's well worth the $100, get together with your family and friends everybody chip in 20 bucks and an old laptop(386 is OK)and your the hit of the neighborhood. Only trouble is that each scantool does only one type of OBDII output. Ford, GM , and Chrysler/foreign cars are all different. There are other decoders that handle all three systems but their more expensive. Do the cost/benifit analysis to see if you want a single or universal system and how much the share will be. Do a Google search on ODBII, and pick the reader you want. , hope it was just the gas cap. 94
Why does your check engine stay on all the time?
Because the ECU has detected a problem with the emissions system. Have the ECU scanned with an OBD2 scan tool to retrieve the code which will tell you what part is being effected. Not necessarily the defective part but which one that is being effected.
How do you reset a engine light on 1985 oldmobile cutlass supreme?
1. Open the fuse panel cover under the steering wheel column (pry down with your fingers). 2. Locate electronic control unit (ECU) fuse using fuse diagram on panel cover.
3. Pull fuse for ECU using fuse pullers that is mounted in fuse panel.
4.Turn ignition to "II" position. Wait 5 minutes for "Service Engine Soon" light to go out on dash before reinserting ECU fuse.
Check all rubber hoses form the engine to the fuel tank.
Get a fault code by cycling key from 'off' to 'start' 3 times, leaving the key in the 'run' position. Any current fault codes will be displayed. On the 2000 Durango, faults are displayed in the odometer field, not sure about the 2003. Once you get your fault code, show them here, it will help us help you better.
How do you get the Service Engine Soon light on a Taurus - Sable to go off?
Go to auto zone and have the codes read for free.
hello fellow light watcher. my light came on in the fall of 2000. my machanic said i needed a jump( ok the computer said that) and he was confused. so off to the dealer i went. their computer said it was an internal sensor (not covered) i asked at the time how much was that? they said $400.00. i then asked what would happen if it was not repaired? well they said i would stall on the highway. i very calmly put up eight fingers and counted then by 50..( my est. on calling a tow truck for a jump) "well after i stall eight times i guess i can kick myself for not getting it done." it is now five years later the light i believe burnt out. my machanic mentions is when i go in for any service, he laughed when i told him it wasn't on any more. oh and i have yet to stall out or need any kind of jump-start.
At least in Texas you can't pass state vehicle inspection if this light is on. H+++
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. 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? that are set based on a pre-set mileage.
I have a 1995, not 97, and none of the things you have mentioned has anything to do with my light.My light has to do with the EGR Value, it is clogged.Needs to be replaced, but does absolutly NOTHING to make the car run bad.The light can be reset,but it will eventually come right back on, until the EGR value is cleaned or replaced.MOST, EGR values get clogged with carbon,and DONOT break,(unless you have the plastic type,it can crack)therefore if you was to go purchase some carborater cleaner. remove you EGR value and cleaned completely,you have a chance of the light going off.If Not you probably have a sensor clogged or defective.Taking the light is could be risky,if you ignor a problem too long it could make more things go bad and cost you more in the long run.A Ford Taurus, MUST BE ERVICED TO SURVIVE, it's not the best car in the world.It's only as good as the machenic or person who takes care of it. Can you answer the question:WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR? Yeah yeah yeah, you said engine,or some other thing.But the answer is not enigne,IT'S FLUIDS, If you' just keep your fluids up and full you'd be ALOT happier.
It will be impossible to give you any better than a broad answer here, because there are literally hundreds of possibilities as to why a malfunction indicator lamp(MIL) comes on. The system would have to be scanned to retrieve whatever fail codes there are. Then we would use a manual (that is literally 3 inches thick)that contains flow charts with pinpoint tests, using a voltmeter, to hand diagnose, and find out what is wrong. This process can take a few minutes, it may take a couple of hours, depending on what is actually wrong.
Now here is the "why" of a MIL: What is actually turning on the MIL is the Powertrain Control Module(PCM), commonly known as the engine control computer. Inside of a PCM there are actually two separate systems. One is control, the other system is diagnostics. PCM diagnostics acts as "big brother," constantly looking over the shoulder of the control side of the PCM. Diagnostics is constantly monitering systems to see if the expected voltages and values are present.
Here is an example: If the PCM diagnostics knows that it has been so many minutes since the engine was first started, then the engine temperature should be around 195 degrees. In our senerio, if the engine is still 160 degrees, it sees a problem, and sets the MIL. The technician has to use pinpoint diagnostics to see if we have a stuck thermostat, if the Engine Coolant Temp(ECT) sensor if sending a false signal, if the wiring between the ECT and the PCM is bad, or if the PCM is faulty and interpreting the signal received from the ECT incorrectly. But the PCM is not capable of monitering everything all at once, so it basically goes down a checklist, over and over again, as you are driving down the road. Sometimes a problem can come and go intermittantly, at the right times so as to avoid detection by the PCM.
That is why sometimes a MIL doesn't always come on everytime there is a problem. Sometimes you can unplug a sensor even while the car is running, and it takes a while for the MIL to come on, just because the PCM diagnostics hasen't gotten back around to looking at that area yet.
Our senerio only talked about one area that a PCM moniters. There are dozens of sub-systems that the PCM looks at, and dozens of possible failures within each of those sub-systems, that could cause a MIL. answer The two main causes for the engine light to appear lit up are (1)gas vac sensor, (2) the pip(at least that's what it is called by my mechanic). The gas vac sensor is responsible for the engine light coming on in every make of vehicle, especially in Dodge's. It is caused by turning the gas cap either less than three clicks or more than three clicks. It causes a disruption in the vaccuum and kiccks the gas vac sensor to light up the check engine light. Disconnect the battery for 30 minutes, loosen the gas cap and replace it by turning it three clicks exactly. Best way to prevent this problem is not let the gas jockeys replace your gas cap after fueling. As for (2) the pip is a very common problem for engine light on Tauras' with 3.0L engine. The pip(in where your distributor is)twists and causes the sensor to break apart thus causing the engine light to light up. I'm no mechanic but the one I go to used to be an engine specialist with GM so I take his word as gospel. He's never been wrong yet and saved me a fortune.
Service LightTo whoever said the service engine soon light only comes on with problems related to the emissions system... check that. The light comes on whenever theres a problem that sensors can detect. For instance a cylinder misfire can be caught by them. Although that can affect, and potentialy ruin your catalytic converter, it still isn't directly related to the emmisions system itself. Also, if the misfire starts to affect the converter another code will come up about the converter, not just the cylinder. Suffice it to say, the sensors arent just there for emmisions.I just took the positive terminal off the battery for 30 seconds which reset the computer and the "service engine soon" light was no longer on. I assume that whatever caused the light to go on in the first place is no longer tripping the warning.
take the battery cables off and put them back on.
The check engine light (CEL for short) is triggered when one or more of the many sensors on the vehicle detects a not-normal reading,
There are 2 basic steps to determining the cause of the CEL coming on:
- Have the codes read - many places offer to read the engine codes for free. Autozone even provides a printout of the codes, and a short description of common causes
- Research those codes! Find out the true cause and reason for the not-normal reading. It is not often that the sensor itself is bad and requires replacing.
There are countless sources of information on engine DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) on the internet - including Wiki s!
Pay attention to those check engine lights - they're there for a reason. And with the internet today, you can readily find the information to keep your car healthy, and even save some $$ in the process.
No reset button. Easiest way is to disconnect the negative battery cable for a couple of minutes, then reconnect. This will erase any codes stored in the computer. If everything is okay, the check engine light will stay off.
disconnect the positive terminal on the battery for 30 minutes,this will drain the ecm. after 30 minutes, reconnect the terminal, start engine, and hold at least to 750 rpm for five minutes
Use an OBD code scanner, find out what's wrong, fix the problem then, if necessary, clear the code with the code scanner. Often just replacing the faulty component will solve the problem, other times you need to clear the code manually.
You must have an OBDII code reader to turn of the light.You can save money by going to your local autoparts store.They can tell you what made it come on and then reset the light.
Repair the problem that caused the light to come on, and reset the light with an OBD2 scan tool.
You can disconnect the battery for about 2 minutes and then connect it and start it and it should clear.
try disconnecting the battery for about 10 mins. If this does not work have vehicle scanned to determine problem or have codes cleared--most auto part stores will do this
try completely disconnecting the battery for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Disconnect the battery and then reconnect it. Or bring it to an auto parts store and they can hook it up to the tester that they have for it, tell you what's wrong with it, and then it will reset.
Reset the computer by disconnecting the negative battery cable for a couple of minutes then reconnect. This will erase the codes from the computer. If everything is okay, the CHECK ENGINE light will stay off. The codes are stored in the computer when there is a problem. Even if you fix the problem, the codes are still there until you reset the computer.
When the key is first turned to ACC an air pump will pump the additional air out of the tank and lines. You can hear it - and so check for the sound first to make sure it is working. This is what this error is about - your loosing pressure in the fuel system. The computer tracks the number of trips and will TURN ITSELF OFF only after you have completed TWO successful trips with the tank pressurized. These are actual trips from what I understand the car has to operate for 15min. You can use an ODB-II reader and clear the codes - but the underlining problem will only throw the code again - so save your money.
- Check your gas cap and replace it if it is not fitting tightly or the gasket looks worn. If you suspect the gasket - get some petroleum jelly and put it around the cap gasket to help it get a good seal. TWO trips remember - it won't work the first time. If you try two trips and this still doesn't work - replace the gas cap for around $25.00 maybe even get a LOCK cap since most GM's don't have a secure gas tank. This is the easiest thing to do - so give it a try. You'll like it;)
- I found that the gas cap light problem occurs during the winter season mostly because of the change in air temp. There is an EVAP system that I understand tries to take water out of the fuel (from condensation I assume). There can be ice build up on the EVAP VALVE. Park the car in a warm spot and let everything warm up. This is a cheap solution - so give it a try. You might like this better!
- There is something called an EVAP VALVE at the end of the EVAP system and this fails or gets stuck frequently on the 3800 engines (Pontiac Grand Prix) (not sure if the EVAP system is considered part of the engine setup. The original dude that answered this post mentioned his Malibu had it on the top of the tank and had a solinoid - I can't imagine GM would use terribly different design for these cars - so have a look in the trunk or under the seat.
- The next option is to get the ODB-II code from the engine itself and see what your in for. There are a number of codes thrown depending on how big the issue is going to be. You can look the code up once you have it. The code will not tell you it is such and such it will only tell you how big the problem could be (large leak v.s. small leak). Mechanics have a diagnostic chart which has them comb over the EVAP system looking for potential issues. I have this chart for the 199- models and it is not terribly far off from my 2005 - the codes are slightly different.
FYI on the Dealership. Never take your car to the dealer they are incompetent. I bought my car from Roy Foss - THE WORST service ever. I later found out that they sold me a car with half the transmission missing. Mechanic said it should never have driven off the lot. Great car crappy dealership network - ROY FOSS - never buy from these people.
This is to share my side about that light Check Gas Cap. I bought it brand new and that light was on when I drove it home. Brought it back the next day and have it re-set. Following day it came on again. Brought it back and have it scheduled for testing. Smoke testing. They replace the gas tank. Brand new and have parts replaced already. Just imagine making new car smell like oil already. Mechanic dirty. After a week from the day of repair the same problem came out, check gas cap. Brought it back and they said crack gas carbon filter whatsoever they call it is crack and need to be replaced. Have to rent car which warranty pay for it but not the sales tax. Lo and behold no more Check Gas Cap light. Take it to test. Loosen gas cap if it works. No lights come on. I notify dealer and they try to explain any way they want to explain. I suspect that Check Gas Cap light was being disabled. I suspect that there was no problem on fuel system but the program or sensor are not working right. I complain to BBB and GM offer me one year of free oil change. I dislike their customer service representative.
Just so you know, there is absolutely no way to disable the check gas cap message on your car. You really think that a dealership, which gets paid to work on your car, is going to break federal law and their franchise agreement just to screw with you?
Reason the light did not come on is that the EVAP self test only runs under certain conditions. And what "program or sensor not working right" would you be referring to?
2/4/2010 - After replacing the gas cap, and the above not clearing the problem, I took my 2005 Malibu maxx (133K miles) to my favorite professional shop...they diagnosed my problem as stuck evaporator solonoid. I was told it is on top of the tank, on the passenger side. Replacement will be about $170.
What could cause cylinder misfire?
Faulty: spark plug, spark plug wire, ignition coil, ignition module, fuel injector are the most common. Coolant leaking into a cylinder is another.
Internal engine problems such as burnt valve, broken valve spring, bent push rod, worn rings
What is code P0300 random misfire detected P0302 on a Toyota celica gt and how do you repair it?
P0300 : multilple misifre
P0302 : misfire cylinder #2
Check plugs, wires, injector, compression, etc.
see related question below.
P0300 : multilple misifre
P0302 : misfire cylinder #2
Check plugs, wires, injector, compression, etc.
see related question below.
Why is it Hard to start in the morning sense the engine check light came on?
We would need more information in order to help you. First, if the Check Engine light is on, that means that your car's onboard engine management computer has detected a problem. This could very well be related to your hard start cold complaint. Stop by any auto parts store that offers a free code retrieval service, find out what the stored fault is, and ask again, please. Be careful, though, and don't rush out and buy the parts they may recommend. A cold engine needs more fuel to start than a warm engine. The Engine Coolant Temperature sensor is the primary reporting sensor to the computer on how cold it is. I would like to know what it's telling the computer to see if it's accurate.
check timing plugged muffler
Obd trouble code P1870 for 1996 grand am?
Trouble code P1870 means: Transmission Component Slipping (4L60-E, 4L65-E, 4L80-E)
How do you reset the maintenance light on 2003 Acura Tl 3.2 type-S?
Key off, hold select button, then turn key on, but don't start engine, wait approximately 15 seconds until maintenance required light stops flashing. Turn key back off. Turn on again without starting if reset is successful maintenance light will only appear once. I had to hold both the select and reset botton. I had to hold both buttons as well. Maybe it is the reset button that needs to be held. I will find out at next service.
If check engine soon comes on it means you may have a computer sensor telling you something is wrong. You should get a code readout ASAP. Mine let me down and it was a mass air flow sensor the problem.
How do you repair a 3800 97 Firebird with trouble code indicating random cylinder misfire?
start with new plugs and wires. but you may need new coil packs too. let me know how it goes
david vol-dolfan@msn.com
replace the coils and the module, helped for my 98 firebird. parts for me were about 170 at napa and I know mechanics so labor was free. it's easy to install.
Another thing to do is replace the ignition control module. This can cause a random misfire if it is faulty or even if the wire harness going to it is not bolted tightly to it.
hey this is joey. replace the vacuum line for the egr gas return. i had the same problem and nearly got fustrated to the point of taking a sledge hammer to my car. i had replaced my ignition control unit. all three coils spark plugs and wires and still had the random misfire code. when i replaced the vacuum it cleared everything out and now my car is running like a dream. hopefully it will work for you too.
What causes random misfire on 1996 S-10 pickup?
Many things can cause such an issue, but the one issue that is solely S-10 related is that the earlier-model poppet-style fuel injectors used in the '96-and-up model year Vortec engines were prone to sticking open or sticking shut after a large mileage buildup. Gm was even forced to address the issue in the early '00's by updating the injector style. The new injectors had the same flow rate, but were designed in such a way as to alleviate the problems found in the earlier ones. There was even a forced recall/replacement in the state of CA due to a lawsuit by the EPA in that state, claiming the poor design was leading to a higher-than-average rate of emissions testing failures in the above-described model years. This is oftentimes the culprit in the 4.3 engines when all the other standard solutions have been exhausted, ie: spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, etc...
If that is the only code you are getting and the car has high mileage (90k +), the odds are in favor or the front pre-catalyst needing replacement. That car has 2 pre-catalyst converters, one for each bank, that run from the exhaust manifold towards the catalyst itself. The first one (also called front bank, left bank or bank 2) is the closest to the radiator. The second one (also called rear bank, right bank or bank 1) is the one right before the catalyst. That code is for the front pre-cat wich has a limited life of service before getting clogged up and needing replacement.
What causes a misfire 6 cylinder on 1999 Pontiac Montana?
Faulty: spark plug, spark plug wire, ignition coil, ignition module, fuel injector are the most common. Coolant leaking into a cylinder is another.
Internal engine problems such as burnt valve, broken valve spring, bent push rod, worn rings
Faulty: spark plug, spark plug wire, ignition coil, ignition module, fuel injector are the most common. Coolant leaking into a cylinder is another.
Internal engine problems such as burnt valve, broken valve spring, bent push rod, worn rings
What should be done when a check engine light comes on if car is still running fine?
I tried disconnecting the battery on my Mazda 2002 millenia. Yeah it worked, for only a short while. When the odometer registered 500 (additional miles) the check engine light re-sets and comes back on).
give up mate sonds as thoe it is gonre 2 god give up mate sonds as thoe it is gonre 2 god give up mate sonds as thoe it is gonre 2 god
Your car was shaking this morning when you started it?
That's most likely an engine misfire.
If so, misfires can be caused by quite a few different things:
If it's throttle body injected it's probably NOT a fuel problem but there's still a possibility.
* It COULD be electrical (spark) in which case it's possible that it's something like a coil pack, distributor cap, plug wire or sparkplug. * It COULD be a sticking or burned valve. Now you just have to find out which.
Service engine light is on 1996 cutlass supreme?
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.
On these particular vehicles, it is most common that the O2 sensor is bad. There is only one and it is on the exhaust manifold on the motor side right behind the radiator.
How do you know that there is a bad valve in a Daewoo laganza?
First, the vehicle should be running rough. If you have a bad valve, you will have a low compression situation in the problem cylinder. The only way to check this is to have a compression test performed. After the test the problem cylinder will be indentified. As a tech I would put compressed air into the bad cylinder to see if the air escapes. If you aren't familiar with major automotive workings, this may sound like rocket science. If you had it to a shop and this was what you were told, I would assume it to be true. If you are n't feeling too trustworthy of that shop there is some other things to consider. If you have the rough running condition, you could have a bad ignition component causing the rough run condition. I have seen many mis diagnosis outside of our shop. The only true way is to perform the compression test for starters. This will accurately let you know if you have an internal engine problem.
