Damn, just got a Check Engine Light on my car

[AkumaX]

Don't you just love unexpected expenditures

 

[rudeguy]

Its free at AutoZone

 

[SampSon]

Lots of times it just goes off eventually.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: SampSon
Lots of times it just goes off eventually.

unexpectedly?

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: SampSon
Lots of times it just goes off eventually.

unexpectedly?

Sure.
You may start the car and the error code won't be there anymore.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

A lot depends on the age and model of car. Mine came on and it was just the PC valve.

 

[BoomerD]

Check engine light errors are (generally) emission-related issues that the OBC has triggered on.

Take the car to Auto-Zone and they'll read the codes for free.

That does NOT always tell you exactly what's wrong however. Often, several things can cause the OBC to throw a certain code...but it's a good starting place.

And as SampSon sez...SOMETIMES they'll go off by themselves. (but not often)


BTW, the garage is over ----------------------------->

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Loose gas cap can set off a CEL/SES light.

 

[rudeguy]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Check engine light errors are (generally) emission-related issues that the OBC has triggered on.

Take the car to Auto-Zone and they'll read the codes for free.

That does NOT always tell you exactly what's wrong however. Often, several things can cause the OBC to throw a certain code...but it's a good starting place.

And as SampSon sez...SOMETIMES they'll go off by themselves. (but not often)


BTW, the garage is over ----------------------------->

If it doesn't go off on its own, there are still other options. I have seen electrical tape and pictures of girlfriends used to fix a check engine light.

 

[JMapleton]

Don't mean nothing, just break the check engine light.

Problem fixed.

 

[TruePaige]

Don't worry, check engine lights never REALLY mean something is wrong with the engine. I've had them come on from drastic climate changes when I traveled before tripping my emissions sensor.

 

[Bateluer]

Mine's been on for 18 months, the MAF sensor's dirty.

 

[MotionMan]

OMG!!!! Did you accidentally put Premium gas in your car?!?!?

/other overreacting car incident thread reference

MotionMan

 

[episodic]

1989 Dodge Truck here - mine has been on since 1996 . . . . never checked it out either. . .

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: episodic
1989 Dodge Truck here - mine has been on since 1996 . . . . never checked it out either. . .

I had the light on for my truck and I couldn't pass smog with it on, how does that work where you are?

 

[Jabbernyx]

Originally posted by: MotionMan
OMG!!!! Did you accidentally put Premium gas in your car?!?!?

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Seriously though, what vehicle make/model? On the old Cavvy it was an TPS, cheap fix. On the LS8, it was the fuel injectors followed by COPs = expensive.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: episodic
1989 Dodge Truck here - mine has been on since 1996 . . . . never checked it out either. . .

I had the light on for my truck and I couldn't pass smog with it on, how does that work where you are?

They don't even have vehicle inspections where I'm at - thank god.

 

[AmdEmAll]

OMGZ THE CAR IS GOING TO DIE ANY MINUTE!

 

[Kadarin]

So go check the engine... Duh!

 

[Fenixgoon]

quite often it's just an O2 sensor or something else simple.. if it's blinking, THEN you're in trouble.

 

[Red Squirrel]

My dad gets the "check tire pressure" messages all the time. Damn southern built cars, they can't cope with real weather. The cold screws up the censors.

I'd get it checked to be safe, but not always something super bad.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: WaTaGuMp

Originally posted by: episodic
1989 Dodge Truck here - mine has been on since 1996 . . . . never checked it out either. . .

I had the light on for my truck and I couldn't pass smog with it on, how does that work where you are?

They don't even have vehicle inspections where I'm at - thank god.

I hate you.

 

[sandorski]

I had a smartass comment all worked out, but realized that it was way too late to post it.

Anyway, here are 2 Suggestions
1) there's a sub-Forum for this
2) Check Engine

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
My dad gets the "check tire pressure" messages all the time. Damn southern built cars, they can't cope with real weather. The cold screws up the censors.

I'd get it checked to be safe, but not always something super bad.

Has he checked the tires? Every 10 degree change of temperature is a loss of ~1 PSI.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
My dad gets the "check tire pressure" messages all the time. Damn southern built cars, they can't cope with real weather. The cold screws up the censors.

The censors? Do you ever get an error message or is that censored, too?