2003 Buick Lesabre "service engine soon" light comes on?

Question

I read the book, the light was on steady which means it's an emission control problem. My wife put gas in it and I noticed the cap may have been loose a little (a condition the book says could cause this) but I wasn't sure. It was also a wet day but she said she didn't drive through any big puddles(another possible cause). So I just want to know how dangerous this is to the engine and the best way to get that light off if it were caused by either bad gas or the fact the cap was loose. Thx

Answer 1

Put a Scanner on to see what is the Code ( your local Auto Part store will do it for free) and take it from there, thing like TPS, O2, MAP, EGR, MASS sensors go out of their parameter will set Codes,

Answer 2

There are two types of engine codes there are hard codes and soft codes. If after so many key starts and system checks the light does not go out u have what we call a hard code meaning u have a faulty sensor, open or short in the wiring, or someother mechanical failure resulting in a problem that persists. If after a week of consistant driving the light goes out u have a soft code meaning the system detected a fault once and thought u should know about it. It is your cars way of letting u know of a potential problem. U should take the car either "A" to a mechanic let them pull the code or "B" to a part shop and let them pull the code. But u should know what the code is, it might save u money later, however a loose gas cap or filling the car with gas while the car is running can cause the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) to come on most codes though are either P0xxx or P1xxx the 0 represents standard code the 1 represents dealer described code. hope this helps

Answer 3

Buick Lesabre 2003

Answer 4

Ok, what you have is because the gas cap was loose. The loose caop will set a service light on. If you had the ECm scanned it will show up as an EVAP code. What to do is nothing at all. Just tighten the cap and go for a nice long ride to reset the OBD2 system. It will reset itself at around 100 miles. Not per hour!! LOL
Good Luck, and it is nothing to worry about. This is the most common of mistakes.

Answer 5

Take it in and have someone read the code for you. Many places will do this without charging anything or very little and at least you'll know what you're looking at. The service engine light can go on for so many reasons from it being time to change a sensor on to more serious things so it's best to have someone with a code reading machine let you know why it's going on. If you call around to different places I would be very surprised if you couldn't find someone who has one of these machines who will let you know why the light is coming on for free. Good luck.

Answer 6

Go to Auto Zone and have them scan for codes. If the cap was loose, or the engine running when the gas was put in, you should have a 440, or 442 EVAP code. Have them clear the codes, and see if they come back. If they do, re post your question.

Answer 7

I've had this happen to me, running extremely low on gas would cause it in my Towncar, it would usually go out after putting gas in and driving it on several fairly long trips(about 30 Miles each without turning the car off)

Answer 8

yes,a bad cap can cause it to come on,because these cars today run on fuel pressure and if it is bad then its not getting the pressure it needs to run right and the engine light will come on.

Answer 9

My service engine soon light had come on too, and I brought it into the autoshop to have it fixed. They said it had been something to do with the hoses, so it could still be something if the light is still on.

Answer 10

my service light is usually on-lol.
I just call bf or put on some tight jeans and go out. usually takes care of itself after that