I have already replace the gas cap, and the light is still on. It is a 2003 Chrysler town and country, and the van is running normal. Have also unplugged battery as well.
2006-06-24 15:07:31 · 17 answers · asked by Jamie G 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It might need a tune up. It could be an emission issue.
2006-06-24 15:11:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Check Engine Light is known as the MIL or Malfunction Indicator Lamp. It is part of OBDII -on-board diagnostics 2ND generation which all 1996> vehicles less than 10K# gvw have to have. A long winded way of saying that the lamp illuminates on nearly all vehicles for a standard set of reasons, mostly emission related. A failed Evap Purge monitor test is a near chronic problem with Mopars of that era. It can take up to 40 key cycles to reset a code. My experience is primarily trucks, but I believe that you can still turn the ign. to On-off-on-off-on in quick succession, and get a code on the electronic odometer, (as opposed to using a scan tool). A clear system should read P-donE. A code would show as a P-xxxx w/ P standing for Powertrain fault code. Evap Leak Large probably means that you fueled with the engine running and a test going on. Evap leak small is more likely a real problem.
If you get a code, post it as another question.
2006-06-24 15:55:57 · answer #2 · answered by electricpole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The amber check engine indicator light means the computer in the car has set a "hard code"--meaning it has sensed the problem more than once--causing the light to come on and stay on.
The safest bet is to take your car to a dealer and/or experienced Chrysler mechanic and have them hook the car to a scanner. They will be able to tell you what set the code, and if it's a real problem, fix it for you. Either way, hooking the car to a scanner and clearing the code electronically is the only way to turn the dash indicator light off on the modern cars.
2006-06-24 15:16:19 · answer #3 · answered by bracken46 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in vehicles model year 1996 and newer there are probably about 300 different reasons why it will come on and you may never notice a difference. it is related to the pollution control devices or systems on the vehicle. if one of them is not working properly or a problem with the vehicle is causing excessive emissions the light will come on. could be as easy as the gas cap being loose but there is much more there to look at.
2006-06-24 21:08:01 · answer #4 · answered by gillyguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The computer is sensing some aspect of the engine is not operating within normal limits. The trouble codes will need to be read to determine the problem. Some chain stores such as Auto Zone, can read the codes for free.
2006-06-24 15:15:49 · answer #5 · answered by capnbeatty 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sensor is setting a trouble code in the computer. Have the computer scanned for codes (some places such as autozone will do this for free) and that will tell you where the problem is!
If I had to guess without the scan, I would say that you have a bad O2 sensor, but that would only be a guess. It is better to do the scan and be sure!
2006-06-24 15:13:33 · answer #6 · answered by fire4511 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably it's a faulty indicator. I've been giving smartass answers all night, you're lucky, I'm being nice this time. But really, more often than not nothing's wrong. If the vehicle is a 2003 I'm guessing it probably has over 60K miles....if you don't notice any other problems don't sweat it.
2006-06-24 15:11:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything that goes wrong that the computer reads will set the check engine light.
2006-06-24 15:13:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to kragen and buy a detector that connects to your car computer (mostly located near the fuse). It will load a code out. Look in the book that it come with and search for that code number. then it will tell you wut is wrong. If it's just a senser, then use the detractor to close the light off.
2006-06-24 18:46:43 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
on my honda you need to reset the check engine light after correcting the problem.
2006-06-24 18:51:28 · answer #10 · answered by trailsman1961 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋