My check engine light just went on and I'm wondering what could be the possible problem. Has anyone else had theirs go on? did you bring it to the dealership? what was the problem? This is different than the MAINT REQD light which is for oil changes.

I'm looking for any possible solutions before I bring it into the dealership since I have to leave my car there for the day, even just to diagnose it. If I get enough answers, this could become a sticky for general check engine problems.

One problem I heard off:

- make sure gas cap on tightly

 

if you dont want to waste a whole day, yo ucan take it to Autozone, they can pull the code for you for free

 

You don't need to specifically do this right now, but I do suggest getting an OBDII scanner. Walmart, 75 bucks. It's expensive, but works on any car after 92 and can be used to clear the light for a short period of time

If you buy one, or if you just go to autozone... let us know what it reads, and we can try to diagnose it from there.

 

Just clearing the code is not a good idea at all. That's just ignoring the problem. Even if it turns out to be something minor, the code should not be just cleared and ignored.

Have you made any changes to the engine lately? Or anything electrical? At all?

 

I certainly agree.
However, let's say a CAI sucks in water and burns out the MAF sensor. Much cheaper to replace on our own, just order the part and stick it in. You'll need to clear the CEL afterwards.

And I'm also sorta guilty of clearing the code so I can get an inspection sticker. That was on my old car, though... when the secondary air injection system went out, and I was saving money for the 1200 fix.

 

Thats what threw my CEL. Did you check to see if it was tight?

 

Not only make sure the gas cap is tight, but do not fill up fuel tank with engine running. My Chevy truck CEL has come on three times in it's 4 year life. We have decided that the first two were random flukes. Maybe the gas cap on the first one. I recorded the code on the third one and I will see if it comes back.

 

That I can understand... but if someone isn't sure what is causing it, it's not the best suggestion. And there aren't too many instances where you'd want to clear it yourself.

 

obdII started in 96 not 92

 

stand corrected.

 

WHO FILLS THEIR FUEL TANK WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING? That's like saying 'don't throw lit cigarettes or matches in the fuel tank while you're spraying gasoline in there'

 

Stupid people do it all the time in the winter here for some reason. They claim they dont want the car to get cold. This is what my friend told me once when I asked him. Unless you leave all the doors open and take forever to fill up its not going to happen cool off that fast.

 

wow....filling up while the engine is running....I think that is by far one of the most moronic things I've ever heard. Car getting cold? How does something that a couple hundred degrees get cooled down to zero in 5 or so minutes......geez

 

You May need to reset the ecu if turn your key to on which is right befre you turn the engine. push in the button by your milage guage hold it in turn the car off and then let go of the button and the start the car that should fix that happened to me after i had myoil changed

 

That does not reset the ECU just the mileage counter for service.

 

[quote="emiller"][quote="Somnambulated"]
WTF!!! well if leaving their car running while putting a highly flammable substance in their vehicle floats their cheerios then more power to 'em.

 

Ive seen law enforcement officers filling up their patrol cars while running.

 

I have a PC in my xB and I do not want to have to reboot just to fuel up. I am also a technician and I refuel with the car running all the time. Static electricity is the primary danger when refueling and if you take normal precautions then there is no issue.

 

Moved to M&CC for the CEL.