Check Engine Light

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.

The check engine light is a general indication for a variety of problems. Most commonly it is a loose gas cap, oxygen sensor, MAP sensor, vacuum hose leak or faulty electrical. You need to have it read with a code reader to find the exact problem.

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.

Follow the troubleshooting tree that is associated with that code.

Chilton's manual shows 3E (PO 132) as the left upstream oxygen sensor shorted to voltage.The oxygen sensor input voltage is too high. The problem is in the oxygen sensor itself. (must be replaced) or in the Mini computer unit (MCU) The MCU controls input voltage to the oxygen sensors to control fuel flow. Good Luck I hope this helps

sounds like you have one bad spark plug wire, or spark plug, on one of the four cylinders, this is causing raw fuel to get into the catalytic convertor making it smell, and a misfire which makes the check engine light blink.

Trouble code P0202 means: Injector circuit malfunction - cylinder #2

Coolant level low or level sensor malfunction.

Coolant level low or level sensor malfunction.

Air injection system performance.

Reset the error codes in the OBD computer. Autozone will read the error code(s) out for you for free and reset the OBD2 in your vehicle. The Service Engine Soon (SES) light came on because a sensor somewhere detected an out of tolerance condition. If this happens, the on-board diagnostics stores an error code (or possibly multiple codes), which illuminates the "Service Engine Soon" light. Resetting the codes will turn off the light, but may be only temporary. If the out of tolerance condition recurs, the code will again be stored and the SES light will light. You need to correct the underlying problem, which the code will help indicate. Some conditions, such as a random misfire, will clear on their own after 5 or 10 engine starts without the misfire. If this starts happening, it is time for a tune up - new spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, etc. Editted the above, and added the following... Depending on your area, you can go to your local AutoZone, and they can sometimes reset your light. But in some areas, laws wont allow them too. My local AutoZone is like this, but if you hold their little code scanner, and ask them which buttons to press to reset it, its you that reset it and not them. Some will do this, but not all. Disconnecting the battery on a 1996 or newer vehicle no longer works for GM.

Use an OBD2 code scanner to find out what's wrong with your vehicle. It will tell you what's wrong and let you clear the code when you're done. If the problem hasn't been taken care of, the computer will set the code again. BTW, why would you replace parts that weren't causing a problem?

Hey, I had a problem like this and solved it. Take a test light and check at the ecm for power (with the key on) at the orange and black wire. My car had a broken connector in the engine compartment that feeds power to the ecm. Take some electrical tape and wire covers off. It is where two large orange wires meet three small orange wires. After repairing that, my car started right up. Good luck, Ken- Martin Auto Body

Make sure the gas cap is on properly.

or, there may be an emissions problem. from what i understand, the only time that the "check engine" light comes on is for emissions (oxy. sensors, intake, etc.).

insert key to position 1 hold odometer reset button (the one on right) holding the button down without letting go turn key to position (2) stay holding button 4 10 secs service light will blink and turn off

Make sure 1: The odometer reset button is in T1 (trip one) as the have a t1 and t2 mode both and 2: let go of the button while the light is still blinking. Otherwise it will not reset.

After fixing the cause of the problem. you clear code with a scan tool, or by unhooking the battery.

Go to your local auto parts place and have them check the code you (should be no charge). After they check the code as the associate to turn off the light for you. This will only be temporary unless you fix the problem so the light won't come on again.

The other way is to unhook the battery for at least 10 seconds... this should reset the light. However, like before, this is only temporary- unless you fix the cause, the light will come back on within a day or 2 of driving

oxygen sensors. could be the culprit . There are too many things that it could be. Take your car to autozone and they will run a scanner. I bought one from them for about $30.

try unplugging the battery for a while. that may turn it off IF you fixed the problem that turned it on.

Have vehicle scanned to determine the problem

On my Chevy truck it idles high when its low on antifreeze but if its not that more than likely its usually a vacuum line loose or cracked. good luck.

if you take the car to autozone, they should be able to check it for you with a scanner. if not, then you should take it to a Pontiac or any GM dealership.

i had the codes checked in my 97 grand am gt 2.4 and they told me it was one or all of the following.

1. oxygen sensor (o2) defective

a. poor connection @ the o2 sensor

b. check circuit-fuse

2. knock sensor

a. defective

b. check connector and wiring sensor

c. engine mechanical condition- knock or rattle in engine

d. low fuel- pressure

3. coolant temp always low

a. check coolant level

b. thermostat defective

c. ect (engine coolant temprature) sensor defective

4. evap (evaporation emission system) small leak no/ flow condition

a. defective or loose fuel cap

b. evap canister or hose cracked-not connected

c. purge or vent solenoid defective

d. vacuum leak at engine

hope this helps you out

This indicates the need for the computer codes to be read from the computer. This will lead a technician to the cause for the light to be lit, which may be related to the ABS system being nonfunctional, which is most likely related to the loss of Vehicle Speed Sensor input signals to both the Computer and the instrument panel. Should all of this be tied together as interrelated issues, finding the cause for the interruption of the VSS signal and effecting repairs could alleviate all the problems. NOTE: An "ABS" or "VSS" code is no indication that these components are faulty. The code serves to inform a technician that the values from these sensors is out-of-range for the conditions surrounding vehicle operation at the time the code is set. This may be due to a loss of signal because a wire has broken, or the computer ground is lost, or system voltage has fallen below minimum levels for readings to be obtained, or the alternator has shorted a diode and is producing AC current along the computer's inputs, or a spark plug wire is resting upon an input lead and inducing stray RF signals onto the line that the computer cannot interpret. All this and much more is possible--- which makes necessary the services of a trained professional who can troubleshoot the system in a methodical way to arrive at the root of the problem, and fix it. Any other approach involves guesswork and a waste of time and money, leading to unnecessary anxt and frustration.

possible blown head gasket, and a fuel leak /// unless is a diesel engine, in which case it probably running too rich, possible turbo, possible valve timing, possible intercooler