Check Engine Light

Trouble code P0650 means:Malfunction indicator lamp control circuit malfunction

Normally a flashing check engine light means you have a misfire. Do not ignore this as an engine misfire will damage the O2 sensor and the catalytic converter which are very expensive to replace. Have this repaired immediately.

The one with the smallest number. ie: p0200 before p1500

Obviously your oil has been leaking out. Check the oil level and fill to specs. Also you need to fix the oil leak.

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.

First thing to do is have the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) read from the computer. They will provide the first 'lead' in your investigation.

From there you'll be able to focus on which part of the engine to test, repair, clean, and maybe replace.

See "Related Questions" below for much more...

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.

P0421 code = Warm up catalyst efficiency below threshold, Bank 1

It will usually come on. The speed sensor on my transmission died and it displayed the check engine light.

Usually a problem in the emission control system - have vehicle scanned to determine the 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.

Usually a problem in the emission control system- have vehicle scanned to determine the problem

First, if it is something like a loose gas cap, just tighten it and it will reset itself in the next 100 miles or so. If it is something else, like a leaky gas cap it will never reset. But to reset the OnBoardDiagnostic (OBD)Computer... Go to eBay and search "obdII" and buy one, they run about $50.00 including shipping. There are two types, ISO for Chrysler and some Japanese, and the other one for all the others like Ford and GM. There are several that are both, that is the kind you want. Be sure to email the eBay seller and ask if it is used with your year and model. (1996 was a changeover year for OBDII technology, so this advice may not apply to everybody--but the dealer service guy can tell you over the phone--ask him if it is OBDII compliant.) When you get it, you just plug it in and let it cycle 4 or 5 times and it resets everything. You then have to drive your car for 50 to 100 miles for the onboard computer to test everything, and in the meantime your car will fail smog checks because it has no history in the computer and the smog test procedure demands a history even if there is no pollution. Cut and Paste http://search.ebay.com/OBDII for a list of them for sale on eBay. Most units come with a list of generic fault codes so you can tell what the problem is, this could be very helpful.

A CHECK ENGINE light indicates there is a problem. You can't just turn it off. The computer will have to be scanned, Most Auto Zone parts stores will scan it for free. The Scan will tell you what needs attention, repaired or replaced. When they scan the computer, they can re-set the light, BUT it will only come back on after about 50 or so miles, or even right away, until the repair is done. It can come on due to anything from a dirty air filter all the way to a bad engine. You should have it scanned and see what the issue is.

The check engine light is a " picture " of an engine , just to the left of the

engine temperature gauge

i just changed my batterys out on my truck now my check engine light is on?

With a scan tool or by unhooking the battery.

Go to Auto Zone or almost any other auto parts store they will reset it for free :)

Have vehicle scanned to determine the problem - usually in the emission control system,

Clean the throttle body and the two ports at the bottom. There are 2 ports that allows exhaust gases to recycle to the intake manifold. These often get clogged and cause a p0400 code. It it does not work try cleaning the egr valve and connecting pipes. They may be clogged also.

I'm guessing that you are wanting to know how to get the Check Engine Light to go off. It would be a VERY good Idea to have a qualified shop hook it up and find out WHY it is on and then Fix the problem that your On-board Computer is detecting. Hoipe This Helps.

EVAP (Evaporative Emissions) system failure could be caused by a loose gas cap. Inspect gas cap to make sure it is fastened properly. Go here for more info: http://www.2carpros.com/kpages/reading_diagnostic_codes.htm

Look for a code reader to read the diagnostic codes. You can usually borrow, rent or buy one from most auto parts retailers.

I have never heard of this one! The SRS system does a self check everytime you start the car and every few minutes thereafter it rechecks most of the componants.If I had to guess it has something to do with wiring and not a componant.Resistance in an elecctrical circuit will increase and decrease with temperature so as youre engine warms it could change the resistance in the circuit and cause the light.(especially if a wire is damaged or misplaced) That is just a guess though and you should really have the dealer read out the fault memory in the srs system.