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Author	Topic: Driving WIth Check Engine LIght On?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

AFOS Champion Author Chicago Posts:30,396 Points:3,072,390 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: May 12, 2011 1:04:44 PM Ignore AFOS Report Abuse Are you presently driving with the CEL on? I am. Car stumbled for about 30-60 seconds at startup yesterday but has driven fine since. This triggered the CEL with a code for cylinder 1 misfire. Until the problem becomes recurrent, I will drive with the CEL light on rather than spending a ton of money chasing would could be a very elusive problem.

AFOS

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Chicago

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Points:3,072,390
Joined:Jul 2001

Message Posted: May 12, 2011 1:04:44 PM

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Are you presently driving with the CEL on? I am. Car stumbled for about 30-60 seconds at startup yesterday but has driven fine since. This triggered the CEL with a code for cylinder 1 misfire. Until the problem becomes recurrent, I will drive with the CEL light on rather than spending a ton of money chasing would could be a very elusive problem.

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weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,737 Points:431,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 21, 2013 9:50:46 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse I try to fix it myself, otherwise have a mechanic repair the problem. Left unrepaired could cost you much more in the long run plus lower fuel economy.
Jmac2008 Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,274 Points:881,140 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: May 21, 2013 1:18:47 AM Ignore Jmac2008 Report Abuse the light is on for a reason you should at least get it checked out, it doesn't cost anything at autozone.
blckwolf Veteran Author North Carolina Posts:285 Points:74,045 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 20, 2013 10:03:07 PM Ignore blckwolf Report Abuse If it comes on and I don't know why it came on, I'll stop at an Advance, Auto Zone, or other car parts store and borrow their diagnostic tester to find out what it is. If it's something I can take care of myself, I'll either buy the parts I need and do it right then, or for more complicated/expensive jobs, figure out what I need and do the job later. If it's really minor (I have a loose spark plug wire on cylinder 5), I'll ride as is until I can let the truck sit for a bit to cool down (work or home) and then plug the wire back in.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,243 Points:329,260 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: May 20, 2013 9:02:30 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse YES [Edited by: carinthuist at 5/20/2013 9:04:07 PM EST]
buickentury Veteran Author Madison Posts:297 Points:177,520 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: May 20, 2013 8:51:41 PM Ignore buickentury Report Abuse i wouldn't worry until it starts stumbling consistently. I drove a vehicle roughly 50,000 miles with the CEL on. Don't know why because it ran like a champ.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,390 Points:1,121,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 20, 2013 9:42:29 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
smugutu1234 Sophomore Author Tallahassee Posts:216 Points:71,540 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: May 20, 2013 9:29:22 AM Ignore smugutu1234 Report Abuse Not a good idea.
hyeglenn Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,075 Points:599,905 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 20, 2013 8:52:03 AM Ignore hyeglenn Report Abuse Not a good thing.
krazkar Veteran Author Calgary Posts:286 Points:275,520 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 5:14:17 PM Ignore krazkar Report Abuse My Volvo would have the light on, then off, then on.
DHIGAJ Rookie Author Toronto Posts:5 Points:698,625 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 3:31:22 PM Ignore DHIGAJ Report Abuse yes, since two year I am runing my honda civic car shows the engine light on for air leaking somewhere
mybigtruck Sophomore Author San Jose Posts:130 Points:198,900 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 12:59:57 PM Ignore mybigtruck Report Abuse I think you should look into it. Most of the time a CEL indicates something unusual occurred but will turn off if it doesn't happen again over some predetermined number of drive cycles and if it's not a serious enough problem. However, you're guaranteed to be failed at a smog inspection if the CEL light is on.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,045 Points:2,447,575 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 8:54:53 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I think I'd at least take it by a shop and get a mechanic to listen to see if they hear anything out of the ordinary.
cv Champion Author Raleigh Posts:15,206 Points:3,266,580 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: May 18, 2013 7:21:26 AM Ignore cv Report Abuse Not far, as soon as possible I have the problem corrected.
forestghost07 Veteran Author Miami Posts:292 Points:4,000 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 5:38:35 PM Ignore forestghost07 Report Abuse As fault-ridden as my '99 chev. blazer is, CE light's never been on a second beyond startup in 14 yr/102K mi. Damn good motor/drivetrain, the Vortec 4.3L 5 speed - rest of truck is ... blaah Wanna laugh? Many 70's cars (my '72 MG inc.) had a separate "brake pressure fail" light ... like I'd need a big red light tell me the brake pedal's hit the floor?? LOL! And those switches leaked brake fluid from brand new - useless. My MG's "fail" light has been reassigned to "electric overdrive on" ... convenient.
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,032 Points:2,358,870 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 9:52:50 AM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse The really important lights will often blink. Last weekend I was driving through a really bad thunderstorm and I noticed lower power levels and then saw a blinking check engine light. It was a cylinder 5 misfire, undoubtedly caused by water shorting out the cylinder. It went away after things dried out. BTW, I have a bluetooth OBD II reader plugged in all the time, and an Android app that reads it, so I can read codes without even pulling over. [Edited by: ldheinz at 5/14/2013 9:55:12 AM EST]
51stovi Sophomore Author Nashville Posts:131 Points:84,690 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 7:36:09 AM Ignore 51stovi Report Abuse I am currently driving one of our cars with the check engine light on. Had it checked. It is an emissions O2 sensor. Will have to get it fixed before I go through mandatory emissions later this year.
streetirsx Veteran Author North Dakota Posts:342 Points:123,100 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: May 14, 2013 2:23:33 AM Ignore streetirsx Report Abuse it could be simple as a worn spark plug or a #1 spark plug wire loose..
63pioneer Champion Author Texas Posts:1,702 Points:57,130 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 13, 2013 6:37:04 AM Ignore 63pioneer Report Abuse That CEL light is also known as the "idiot" light for a reason. It comes on for a reason and that is "something" is wrong with the car and if you don't have it checked out, you may end up replacing the engine/transmission, etc, and end up being very costly and may not end being covered by your warrenty. I have both a CEL light and a water temperature gauge in my truck. One night I was coming home from shopping and happened to notice the CEL light on and then looked at my water temperature gauge and it was almost into the red "danger" zone so I slowed down and took the next exit and stopped at a store a got 2 gal. of water. I carefully let the pressure off the radiator, restarted the truck and added some water until full, replaced the cap and drove home. If I had ignored that light and didn't have a gauge the truck would have overheated and It would have blown the head gasket. Pay attention to the light! [Edited by: 63pioneer at 5/13/2013 6:38:20 AM EST]
sagnat Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,154 Points:308,260 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Mar 23, 2013 3:31:19 AM Ignore sagnat Report Abuse I have a code reader and I get the code to diagnose, clear the CEL and see if it returns while I study on the cause and make preparations to correct.
dasAuto All-Star Author Regina Posts:718 Points:506,420 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 3:27:11 PM Ignore dasAuto Report Abuse Its not necessarily a good idea to drive with the CEL on. Sometimes the problem is already terrible before the light even comes on.
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,737 Points:431,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 9:50:30 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse no, I get it fixed or do it myself if I can.
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,032 Points:2,358,870 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 9:39:42 AM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse After correcting a misfire problem, I had an occasional P0420 catalyst below efficiency threshold error. That typically means the cats need replacing, quite an expensive proposition. On the internet I got a solution: pour a gallon of lacquer thinner in the tank when it's 1/2 full and drive down the highway for 150 miles or so. I put in the gallon when I filled up for a trip, and afterwards the P0420 error is gone and does not reoccur. It worked! And it only cost $10 minus the gallon of gas that it replaced.
BigHorne1 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,497 Points:296,775 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 9:23:49 AM Ignore BigHorne1 Report Abuse no
d_clark All-Star Author Grand Rapids Posts:925 Points:380,640 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 9:01:46 PM Ignore d_clark Report Abuse no
jnfrancois Rookie Author Orlando Posts:90 Points:26,435 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:38:09 PM Ignore jnfrancois Report Abuse nope
Shamyne Rookie Author Orlando Posts:92 Points:32,255 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:37:59 PM Ignore Shamyne Report Abuse no
dontuknowOH Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,099 Points:36,585 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 12:53:11 PM Ignore dontuknowOH Report Abuse During hot Summer weather while on vacation,our econo idle speed dropped often in traffic below the normal adverage. At that time gas pumps were not completely changed to E-10 everywhere. Only a couple times the CEL came on,went off,but the idle speed drop bothered me when sitting at a red light.Later on when making a quick left turn the vehicle leaned-out(bogged)in front of oncoming traffic (scary). Back home the dealership couldn't find anything wrong,CEL stayed off for over 20k more miles,still idle dropped now/then.Mechanic said the engine was purging the Evapo system of extra fumes/vapors coming from fuel tank to canister,normal to do so periodically.Hot weather thingee. Well CEL came on/stayed on 300 mi. after an oil/air/oil change,mileage dropped,reprogrammed ECM settings helped till 75k miles CEL back on = tune up,three sensors,new plugs,new lubes new filters including cabin filter,fuel filter,runs fine CEL stays off $600.00 worth about $50. per year to keep light off.... performance ok slight mileage drop > E-10 stuff!
BigHorne1 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,497 Points:296,775 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 11:55:31 AM Ignore BigHorne1 Report Abuse no
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,390 Points:1,121,825 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 10:18:31 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,737 Points:431,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 9:44:40 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse No, I try to find the problem myself and repair it.
ldheinz Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,032 Points:2,358,870 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 9:18:53 AM Ignore ldheinz Report Abuse I bought a Bluetooth OBD-II module on eBay for $10 and bought the "Torque" Android app for my phone for $5. Not only does it allow me to read and reset codes, it has web lookup of codes for your car, and lots more. You can make custom gauges including things like an MPG gauge, exhaust gas temperature, GPS speed vs. OBD speed, and essentially any of the values that the OBD has. On top of that, it can access the phone's accelerometer and give you lateral acceleration, 0-60, and all sorts of performance values. I discovered that my OBD speed is 2.6 mph less than the GPS speed at 70 mph. BTW, the free version lets you read/set OBD codes.
rmw10rpw Sophomore Author West Virginia Posts:171 Points:483,820 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:00:39 AM Ignore rmw10rpw Report Abuse no
Bushmaster Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,430 Points:955,370 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 7:44:57 AM Ignore Bushmaster Report Abuse no
Bushmaster Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,430 Points:955,370 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 7:44:56 AM Ignore Bushmaster Report Abuse no
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,788 Points:2,895,610 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 5:19:05 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse I am currently experiencing the same thing with my truck and right now the light is off. The other day just as soon as I filled up with gas it came on showing a lean fuel on the right bank, whatever that means, but I think it is coming down to an oxygen sensor. My what did we do before we had all of these idiot lights on vehicles?
chipote Champion Author Washington Posts:1,274 Points:388,805 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 3:28:47 AM Ignore chipote Report Abuse No
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,032 Points:1,855,720 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 2:23:47 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse anything after 1996 you can just goto autozone, advance auto parts, o reily's to have a free OBD II trouble code scan FOR FREE
mnrick041 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,303 Points:1,369,060 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2013 10:19:21 PM Ignore mnrick041 Report Abuse A lot of times a older car will have the CEL on and there will be nothing wrong with the way the car runs. My last car was a Camry that I took up to about 63,000 miles and the check engine light kept coming on. O2 sensor, mass air flow sensor, vacuum leak here something else there. So if you are driving a older car that is out of warranty you could wind up spending a lot of money trying to get the CEL to stay off. Either drive with it on or buy a new car. I have a 2012 right now and have not seen a check engine light yet. My airbag system light was acting up for awhile, had to take the car in 3 times for that but now it seems good.
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,737 Points:431,850 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Mar 18, 2013 9:45:09 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse No, I try to figure out he problem myself and repair if I can.
Mr1lung All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:811 Points:164,150 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 4:39:36 PM Ignore Mr1lung Report Abuse no
AFOS Champion Author Chicago Posts:30,396 Points:3,072,390 Joined:Jul 2001	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 3:42:55 PM Ignore AFOS Report Abuse No longer an issue for me (the OP) since I gave the car to my daughter recently. Free of any CEL's for the last 22 months.
panj Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:13,128 Points:1,110,825 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 2:59:31 PM Ignore panj Report Abuse I Never Do That.
GLM4205 Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,057 Points:800,295 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 12, 2013 6:07:51 AM Ignore GLM4205 Report Abuse No but I do have brake and TCS light on. My brakes work Ok but I do find during wet road conditions brake seems to be struggling. Any idea???
tdhlmn Rookie Author Denver Posts:50 Points:158,740 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 1:17:47 PM Ignore tdhlmn Report Abuse My van has a sensor pre-heater out, so the check engine light is on. But I have a reader and check to see what the codes are. when in California it still would pass the smog check if I let it warm up, clear codes, then take in for the smog check.
hyeglenn Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,075 Points:599,905 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 8:04:48 AM Ignore hyeglenn Report Abuse sometimes
pumpernickel2011 Rookie Author Calgary Posts:12 Points:2,215 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 4:50:40 PM Ignore pumpernickel2011 Report Abuse Presently driving with CEL ON. My mechanic checked it ($90) said it's the Exhaust Gas Recirculating Valve. Now to replace it's around $275.(Can.) Checked the web you can clean the EGR valve with carb cleaner, web has a video showing "how to clean the EGR valve..the mechanic has 33 yrs experience. The valve is a bit tricky to remove. The Dodge dealership had a $200 labor charge to clean said valve. They do not recommend actually they don't clean them but replace for approximately the same amount!! (no surprise here EH!) A non-functioning EGR valve will up the gas mileage by 5% but I've not noticed this yet! It did go away with a drive up to Banff (from Calgary)but came back with the city driving...it needs sustained highway driving to get hot enough to blow the carbon out.... Wondering if I can wait for Spring for a good long drive?
going up Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,021 Points:802,720 Joined:Jan 2004	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 3:59:22 PM Ignore going up Report Abuse no
dvc2 All-Star Author Oakland Posts:937 Points:447,340 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 1:06:21 PM Ignore dvc2 Report Abuse no
metalhat73 Veteran Author Wilmington Posts:368 Points:240,630 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 12:37:20 PM Ignore metalhat73 Report Abuse No
Boilermat Veteran Author Indiana Posts:405 Points:576,850 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 12:09:21 PM Ignore Boilermat Report Abuse Yes...evaporation code. Wasn't the gas cap, but at the time didn't want to pay for a smoke test to isolate the problem.