Check Engine Light

None of these maintenance items will trigger the check engine light. The light is on because the computer has detected a problem with the emission system. Have the ECU scanned and retrieve the code. This code will tell you what part is being effected but not necessarily the defective part.

Basically it means that you have experienced an intermittent emission control system failure. It failed to work properly for some time, then it began working again. Explanations range from a temporary issue caused by wet or dirty wiring harness plugs that may never give you a problem again, to a component that is slowly failing and will definitely have to be replaced, eventually.

For an explanation of how this can happen, see below:

The check engine light illuminates when an emission control device has failed a computerized self test. Such tests vary by year and by car, but they are basic operational tests that occur all the time your vehicle is in operation.

During vehicle operation, the ECM (electronic control module) reads a series of sensors (temperature, pressure, flow, position, etc) and controls a series of effectors (valves, switches, solenoids, etc). If the ECM turns on a solenoid to effect a change in exhaust gas recirculation, it will watch the exhaust gas recirculation flow sensor to see if the change actually created more or less flow. If it does not, it may reset the solenoid and try it several more times. But eventually, if the effector (switch, solenoid) does not cause a change in the reading of a sensor, the ECM will mark the circuit as defective, set a service code(s), and illuminate the check engine light.

Additionally, the ECM will occasionally retest any circuit marked defective. If that circuit works properly during the restes, it will mark the circuit as good and turn off the check engine light. These retests occur when you first start your engine, but may also happen while you are driving. The newer the vehicle, the more sophisticated and smarter the ECM is.

The computer doesn't allow to start the engine. Check the error code.

Nissan dealers have no parts for this model and you have to repair it and it will cost you arounf £150.00

Could be something as simple as your gas cap not being tightened. You need to put the gas cap on and tighten it at least 3 clicks.

You can return it for service, but unless you were given an express warranty (in that the dealer lied to you about the vehicle) you can't bring it back for good.

When having a car inspected it is important that the Service Engine Soon light is not on. To reset the light a person can disconnect the battery, then reconnect it after 30 minutes or so, it can also be cleared with an OBDii scanner.

Your best best is to got to your local auto parts store. Auto Zone and O'Reilly both have OBDII Scanners to ID the reason the light is on, then you can clear the codes to turn the light off.

You can reset the on board diagnostic computer by disconnecting the battery however if you did not fix the emissions problem it will come back on after driving for a short time. Depending on the faulty component it could light up after a few minutes or a few days

You use the test monitor and scroll down to clear code

O2Sensor.

The check engine light does not indicate your fluids are low. There are separate lights for that. The MIL (or check engine light) indicates there is a problem with your fuel injection, ignition, emmisions or engine and a DTC (or diagnostic trouble code) has been stored. Your best bet is to pull the codes to find out why the light is on. This is the only way you will correctly identify and fix the problem.

How do you turn off the check engine light on a 2001 honda accord?

You can turn off the check engine light by disconnecting the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes.

Yes. I have a bad cylinder in the engine of my Saturn Outlook and it was detected by the check engine soon light.

I'm not trying to be rude, but...

We could guess and point you in the direction of what "we" think is most common (401, 171 , 174, 30x, etc etc), but...

Your van is already trying to tell you exactly why it won't pass emissions - that is what is behind the service engine soon light being lit up.

Take your Windstar to any one of the dozens of places that will read the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) for free, and use that as the basis of researching how to correct what is triggering or causing those codes.

Less guessing, and more definitive action to what is unique & specific to your current problem(s).

See "Related Questions" below for more

Black smoke usually indicates fuel not being completely burned. The choke being stuck, clogged egr valve or the engine needing a tune up are the three places to start troubleshooting.

P0300 is caused by a detection of random cylinder misfires. Start by checking/replacing the distributor cap, considering ignition tend to be the most likely and easily resolved problem causing this.

O2 (Oxygen) sensor.

HO2S (Heated Oxygen) sensor.

ECT (Engine Coolant Temp) sensor.

MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor.

MAP (Manifold Absolute Pressure) sensor.

CKP (Crankshaft Position) sensor.

CMP (Camshaft Position) sensor.

ECL (Engine Coolant Level) sensor.

EOP (Engine Oil Pressure) sensor.

EVP (EGR Valve Position) sensor.

KS (Knock) sensor.

PFS (Purge Flow) sensor.

TPS (Throttle Position) sensor.

VSS (Vehicle Speed) sensor.

I'm sure I missed several more.

you have to cyphin the old gas out if you have a full tank but if you have a low tank put new gas in and plush it out and then you have your third option you have to unhook you gas line to drian you gas out which i think is the safest way possibleDO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UN TILL EMPTY AND REFEULED

Please ask a new question and include the year, make, and model.

Check Spark plugs

Check plug wires

Do a compression test

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.

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.

Possible lead wire for the fan shorting out. These problems may or may not be related. As the first contributor said, there might be a wiring problem in the fan switch to the fan motor circuit. Look for a wire rubbing on something else and look for the insulation on the wire to be damaged. Or the switch itself may be bad. I've seen them fail in the shorted (always closed) mode which will make the fan run all the time. This is probably not good on the fan motor as they are not meant to be used continuously. I can't recall right now what that switch looks like, but if you can get the wiring plug off the back of the switch and can get to the terminals that it plugs onto, you can put an ohm meter across the terminals. (do this with the engine off and stone cold) If the needle deflects, the switch is probably shorted (IE; bad) and needs to be replaced. OR, you can just try to CAREFULLY unplug the fan from the switch while the engine is running and the fan is running. If the fan stops, you can pretty much conclude the same thing...bad switch. NOTE: I don't really recommend this procedure. Fans can hurt you! Try to do this from UNDER the car if you can, so you can keep your fingers and clothing ETC away from the spinning fan. Also, this test presumes that the fan is still running all of the time. As to the Check Engine Light, be sure your fuel tank cap is real tight. If it's loose, it can cause the CEL to come on. Failing that, take the car to Auto Zone or Checker or wherever and have them put a code checker on the car's computer. They usually do this for free! It should give you some idea why the light is on.

i had that code show up for my 2002 and it was running really bad and it ended up being my catalitic converter. I took it to a local shop in my town and he told me it was my cats and he told me that if you have 80,000 miles or less you can get it fixed for free becasue its a federal law that the factory has to replace it for free becasue they should'NT go out and I took it to an olds dealer and that's what it was and it was fixed for free. hope that helps

it could also be a faulty ingnition coil