Constame
Sophomore Author
Oklahoma
Posts:237
Points:25,170
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 1:43:28 AM
check it out at Auto Zone for free.
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toms1120
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:8,547
Points:1,807,895
Joined:Jun 2004
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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 2:45:51 PM
Fix
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ricebike
Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:10,015
Points:1,852,570
Joined:Oct 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 12:30:07 PM
my pc is double posting
[Edited by: ricebike at 3/26/2013 12:31:27 PM EST]
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ricebike
Champion Author
New Jersey
Posts:10,015
Points:1,852,570
Joined:Oct 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 12:30:06 PM
"Mine came on and found out it was the fuel sending unit. It sucked cause I could have used that 400.00 somewhere else. Then again, it runs like new and the engine is not leaning out causing a decrease in power."
this doesn't make sense at all... sending unit only tells you how much gasoline is in the tank; that should not have triggered your check engine light at all!
maybe bad fuel pump or a leak in the fuel venting system would be a more appropriate diagnosis
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LuckyD43
Champion Author
Long Island
Posts:31,950
Points:2,163,095
Joined:Apr 2005
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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:47:25 AM
I would imagine that the wise thing to do would be to find out what it's for and get it FIXED.
[Edited by: LuckyD43 at 3/26/2013 11:49:28 AM EST]
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Coco0828
All-Star Author
Dallas
Posts:972
Points:158,290
Joined:Aug 2012
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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 11:44:08 AM
fix
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toms1120
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:8,547
Points:1,807,895
Joined:Jun 2004
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Message Posted: Feb 27, 2013 2:35:46 PM
Have it checked.
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i35babe
Rookie Author
Texas
Posts:36
Points:420
Joined:Feb 2013
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 11:14:42 AM
It depends. You'll have to fix it if you live in an emissions county. You can let it go if you have figured out what the problem is and know that it's not going to create a larger problem later on. I had a car that would turn the engine light on way before an oil change was due or after an oil change if they didn't reset it.
If you keep getting codes for sensors - even after you replace them, or the exhaust system....have your catalytic converter checked out. Fine dust, dirt, caleche, etc can get in there and clog it up. It can cause your vehicle to fail an emissions test...even a newer vehicle. It should be $400 or less if you have an easy cat con (one that bolts on and off, easy access). It can get pricey if it's hard to get to or welded on. I would def have it tested before I replaced numerous sensors, my muffler, computer, etc. If you have a hard time finding someone to do it, seek out a diesel/exhaust shop....yes, even if it's a gas engine.
Autozone, your dealer, your fav shop can run $$$ diagnostic tests, start replacing lots of parts, and still not fix the prob. Check the cat - it may save you time and $$$$.
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pacecar68
Champion Author
Oakland
Posts:4,646
Points:864,070
Joined:Jan 2007
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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 10:37:56 AM
check it. get an estimate for parts and labor. can you do the fix yourself? rockauto.com has great prices on parts.
check the circuitry to the affected part. sometimes it is not the part but the wiring. sometimes cleaning the contacts or part makes the light go off and stay off.
google the code. you will be surprised by all the information that is out there.
good luck.
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Bridge2012
All-Star Author
Kansas
Posts:913
Points:271,290
Joined:Jan 2012
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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 2:14:40 PM
have it checked and fix it if need be and if you have the funds
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lyanMI
Veteran Author
Detroit
Posts:260
Points:208,345
Joined:May 2012
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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 1:26:43 PM
Modern cars may be fixed easily by running a software upgrades some times.
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Trowinsamoan
Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:1,131
Points:181,865
Joined:Nov 2012
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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 1:21:57 PM
Pay now or pay more later
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puddy
Champion Author
Wisconsin
Posts:13,619
Points:3,261,950
Joined:Dec 2003
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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 7:33:21 AM
ignore
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eyegotgas2
Champion Author
British Columbia
Posts:1,076
Points:252,205
Joined:Sep 2011
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Message Posted: Feb 13, 2013 7:27:17 AM
If you can afford it fix it if not you take your chances.
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twopairAL
Veteran Author
Huntsville
Posts:462
Points:98,685
Joined:May 2012
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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 4:55:19 PM
Mine came on and found out it was the fuel sending unit. It sucked cause I could have used that 400.00 somewhere else. Then again, it runs like new and the engine is not leaning out causing a decrease in power.
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STEVE853
Champion Author
Florida
Posts:5,656
Points:1,114,460
Joined:Nov 2007
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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 4:32:17 PM
Fix
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mingaa57
All-Star Author
St. Louis
Posts:733
Points:316,215
Joined:May 2011
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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 2:16:53 PM
fix - could be a lot of things - not bad (faulty sensor) to tragic!
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Bud76
Champion Author
San Bernardino
Posts:4,053
Points:758,015
Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 1:29:59 PM
fix
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DHomz
All-Star Author
Ontario
Posts:577
Points:102,305
Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Feb 12, 2013 1:16:10 PM
Here in Ontario you cannot have any CEL on at all for emissions testing; you can't even reset the computer to turn it off or else the emissions system picks up on it. Otherwise I wouldn't care.
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puddy
Champion Author
Wisconsin
Posts:13,619
Points:3,261,950
Joined:Dec 2003
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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 7:00:06 AM
ignore
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ReddevilNO
Champion Author
New Orleans
Posts:3,345
Points:576,840
Joined:Aug 2011
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Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 6:41:27 AM
Mine came on 2 days ago, and I had it checked, and I only had a few minor things to get done. Thank God!!!
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davisadm
All-Star Author
Los Angeles
Posts:542
Points:405,400
Joined:Dec 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 9:51:15 PM
I check what the code is, and then decide if I will fix right away
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xtremecheap
All-Star Author
Arkansas
Posts:986
Points:373,100
Joined:Jun 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 6:45:51 PM
Most of the time when the check engine light comes on the computer goes into "limp" mode and usually uses more fuel. Since there is more fuel being used and unburnt, it can cause your catalytic converter to clog.
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Sneakers55
Champion Author
Houston
Posts:51,242
Points:2,139,175
Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 4:27:12 PM
On Jan 27, 2013 11:19:17 AM, diesel8888 wrote:
>We need to fix it to pass inspection.
About a year and two weeks ago, I was totally taxicab dependent. I had a number of things that conspired to keep me off the road, the longest thing on the tent pole was getting new glasses to replace those that were lost in a wreck that totaled my vehicle. By the time I got the glasses, I had already bought a replacement vehicle but I couldn't drive it home. The saleslady at my dealership heard my story and she got one of the help to take me home in my new vehicle, and she drove behind us and took the guy back to the dealer.
Anyway, I swear that nearly every taxicab that I took around the area had their CEL on. Though, thanks to Texas inspection law, the CEL has to go off once per year. You can't cheat and reset it as the OBD-II system has ready flags that indicate all the sensors and effectors have been adequately pinged to exercise the system. They plug in a cable and they can tell if the ready flags are not set. (My current vehicle has a method by which you can determine if the ready flags are ready by following a specified sequence of events without any special tools.)
Two vehicles ago, I had the CEL on and it was inspection month. So, I took it to the dealer to get it fixed. It was a part covered under warranty, but they told me I'd need to drive it around to set all the ready flags. What they didn't tell me is HOW to drive it around to set the ready flags. I went out and Googled how to set the ready flags in a vehicle, and the article I found said to do twenty minutes of freeway driving followed by twenty minutes of stop and go driving. I drove down to Galveston Island on the Gulf Freeway and came back home on the Old Galveston Road, figuring that would be freeway driving combined with stop-and-go driving. I was pleased to find out that my vehicle passed inspection with flying colors and never gave me any other problems in that area.
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diesel8888
Champion Author
Salt Lake City
Posts:1,171
Points:354,540
Joined:Nov 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 12:19:17 PM
We need to fix it to pass inspection.
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dontuknowOH
Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:2,097
Points:36,545
Joined:Aug 2009
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 12:11:46 PM
I ran into a case where a deteriorating rubber grommet that was used to stick the PCV valve in place,was causing the valve to be blocked off at different times. This caused the crankcase breathing to stop at highway speeds,but city driving became ok.
The stoppage was causing engine oil to be consumedby onequart of oil every 400 miles. Number 1 spark-plug was congealing with carbon from oil forced by the valve-guide seal on that cylinder only,causing a dirty richer exhaust.
This condition was fooling the o2 sensor to signal a cut back at the ECM/EFI mixture to lean,then causing power drop-outs,engine lean-outs, terrible tranny shutter shifting,still car started/idled reasonable well.
Later after complete normal warm-up car ran almost ok city,PCV valve stayed in correct ventilating position. After another 200 mile highway run,the difficulty started again.
The whole problem started with the rubber grommet loosing its shape and not keeping the PCV valve in it's proper place to due it's job ventilating the engine crankcase of pressure vapors. Evidently the E..head design placed the oil higher around number # 1 cyl.intake valve seal because only that spark-plug was dirtying up each time with highway speed usage.
The PVC valve had side ports and sat in grommet in highly oiled area on the valvecover pan. The soggy soft grommet after 44,000 miles part time was blocking the ports,when engine resonation at highway speeds caused the valve to rise against gravity,then fall back to an open position again ventilating normal again,but with a #1 spark-plug dirty to almost mis-firing at times,mainly in open-loop cold start-ups.
Teens were driving the vehicle to college by babying it along,getting barely by on expences,later the drivetrain suffered,needed repairs, expensive rebuilt repairs, So that was a STINKER A new PCV Grommet would have prevented all these problems,the oil was getting burn out the tail pipe un-noticed by smoke during highway speeds.
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BartandLisa
Champion Author
Newfoundland
Posts:2,120
Points:414,425
Joined:Feb 2012
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 10:49:49 AM
You could buy an inexpensive code scanner to see how important the trouble code is. The CEL usually sets for an emissions issue which can sometimes be easily repaired. The code can give you an indication of the repair area or it can be reset to see if the same code is regenerated. It is not always evident, since a number of things could cause a particular code. Start with obvious things, such as disconnected or broken wiring, a split vacuum hose, dirty fuel filter or air filter, etc, depending on the car's age and mileage. However, don't ignore the CEL entirely and a flashing one may mean a serious engine problem such as a dead cylinder, bad coil, spark plug, etc which could cause more damage.
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FuelPump
Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:21,439
Points:3,410,025
Joined:Apr 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 10:03:51 AM
Fix it!
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jes
Champion Author
Pennsylvania
Posts:16,140
Points:3,347,500
Joined:Jun 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 27, 2013 8:17:43 AM
Absolutely. It's a "pay me now or pay me lots more later" thing.
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reamedatthepump
Sophomore Author
Toronto
Posts:188
Points:205,485
Joined:Jan 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 26, 2013 6:13:03 PM
We have a 2006 Toyota Sienna with a check engine light that came on. A friend of ours who is a mechanic read the code and said it was the catalytic converter. He said it would probably pass the emission test because Toyota's tolerances were more stringent than the governments. Needless to say that it did and two of the readings were ' 0 '. It had better results than the previous test with no check engine light on.
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kellyoneal
Champion Author
Louisville
Posts:2,390
Points:699,840
Joined:Mar 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 12:46:17 PM
find out what the problem is
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bluenvoy
Champion Author
Nashville
Posts:14,934
Points:1,873,190
Joined:Oct 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 9:42:59 AM
If all else fails, take it to a dealer service department.
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Maintroll
Champion Author
Lexington
Posts:8,609
Points:1,698,160
Joined:Aug 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 9:34:49 AM
I would definitely have it checked to see exactly what it is. Most of the time it is just a sensor.
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FieroGT
Champion Author
Twin Cities
Posts:14,297
Points:2,501,885
Joined:Mar 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 24, 2013 9:32:46 AM
I had the check engine come on on my 2008 vehicle. It ran badly. Took to the dealer and they replaced the throttle body. Had to be really pricy but was covered under the engine warranty.
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jbhubbell
Rookie Author
Alabama
Posts:83
Points:33,005
Joined:Jan 2013
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Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 9:45:25 AM
Many cars with throw an oxygen sensor code but its not always the o2 sensor thats bad. See there are many sensors in the engine now a days and the o2 is "downstream" of all of them so if say a map or maf sensor goes bad it will jack up the fuel to air ratio entering the engine and, thats right set off the o2 sensor code. Do your homework for your kind of car or pay big bucks to a mechanic, your choice.
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jbhubbell
Rookie Author
Alabama
Posts:83
Points:33,005
Joined:Jan 2013
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Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 9:37:35 AM
The advance auto parts can tell u what the lights for and turn it off for u. Do not try to reset the code by removing the batt cable if u drive a nissan because u with engage the anti theft system and disable your ride lol.
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dontuknowOH
Champion Author
Ohio
Posts:2,097
Points:36,545
Joined:Aug 2009
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Message Posted: Jan 19, 2013 12:11:31 AM
If it stays on,your engine can't be running at it's best for the amount of fuel it's consuming,at least get a free check,might be a connector to a sensor needing cleaned,underhood grime,water splash,vibration,heat aging,often vacumm hoses(tubing can deteriorate)battery about worn out,etc.
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Carusle
Champion Author
Atlanta
Posts:11,413
Points:2,249,450
Joined:Nov 2006
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:30:16 PM
fix
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Trowinsamoan
Champion Author
Los Angeles
Posts:1,131
Points:181,865
Joined:Nov 2012
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:20:05 PM
Fix now or pay later
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weddy11
Champion Author
Phoenix
Posts:1,711
Points:426,875
Joined:Dec 2011
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 9:00:55 AM
Fix, it will cost you much more in the long run ignoring it.
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retcap201
Champion Author
Austin
Posts:5,823
Points:1,322,055
Joined:Mar 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 8:41:24 AM
fix
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Sneakers55
Champion Author
Houston
Posts:51,242
Points:2,139,175
Joined:Nov 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 8:40:14 AM
Fix the darn thing. I have NEVER had a CEL that was a false alarm. Guess I know how to tighten a gas cap.
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jessjames
Champion Author
Huntsville
Posts:15,274
Points:3,299,235
Joined:Jun 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 8:18:59 AM
Fix
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robareid
Champion Author
Hamilton
Posts:10,439
Points:634,505
Joined:Apr 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:44:23 AM
fix
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puddy
Champion Author
Wisconsin
Posts:13,619
Points:3,261,950
Joined:Dec 2003
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:38:32 AM
ignore
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bluenvoy
Champion Author
Nashville
Posts:14,934
Points:1,873,190
Joined:Oct 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 18, 2013 7:33:44 AM
Fix.
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CactusRoper
Champion Author
Phoenix
Posts:8,764
Points:1,914,000
Joined:Aug 2005
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Message Posted: Jan 17, 2013 7:04:09 AM
Fix
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Millers37
Champion Author
Michigan
Posts:35,726
Points:654,850
Joined:Nov 2008
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Message Posted: Jan 17, 2013 6:49:37 AM
Fix
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RNF
Champion Author
Indiana
Posts:7,086
Points:2,869,210
Joined:Jun 2004
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Message Posted: Jan 17, 2013 6:39:28 AM
Fix.
I've found it is usually something simple. A loose gas cap is very common.
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toms1120
Champion Author
Maryland
Posts:8,547
Points:1,807,895
Joined:Jun 2004
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Message Posted: Jan 16, 2013 10:59:00 AM
Fix
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