I have a 2001 Chevy Malibu. And the check engine light just came on. Does this happen when I need a oil/lube? Or should I tote my credit card to the car shop, for fear of a bigger issue?? It's been about 7 months since my last lube.
2006-10-19 05:10:18 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Chevrolet
When the light comes on, its a signal that something has gone wrong with the system. It could be oil, coolant, or any number of things. Check the oil to make sure it is full, and the reserve tank for the coolant to make sure it is up to the full mark on the tank.
If you still have a light that is on, then you will need to get someone to look at it to pull the codes to see what has gone wrong. Auto zone as well as some other parts stores will pull those codes for free and tell you what you need to fix the problem. If it still seems to run OK, then its probably a O-2 sensor gone bad. Don't neglect to repair whatever the problem is due to the fact it might cost more down the road, than it would to just fix it to begin with. If you aren't much of a mechanic, then take it to a mechanic, and get it fixed as soon as you can. I've seen cases where people just kept driving the vehicle, and it ended up causing other stuff to go bad too, thus costing twice as much to fix something that was minor to begin with. I hope this helps. Good Luck!!!
2006-10-19 05:30:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was your oil the oil light would have come on. Check engine light means something is wrong with the performance of your engine possibly a sensor or electrical problem or environmental system failure. Some times like on my similarly engined Corsica my engine light will come on if my gas cap isn't tight. This is a real alarm because if your cap isn't tight the fuel tanks air pressure will be off and hinder the flow of gas. To find out disconnect the battery for 5 minutes than hook it back up this will reset the alarms in your car. tighten the cap and then turn on the car if it stays off you just saved your self some cash. If not it serious and you need to go to the garage.
2006-10-19 12:45:54 · answer #2 · answered by brian L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oil changes rarely cause the check engine light to come on. If the car is still running 'normally', take it to a shop and have them scan the car for codes. This will let you know what actually caused the light to come on and they should be able to quote a repair price from there.
Also, you can go to places like Autozone and borrow an OBD2 scanner. All you do is plug it into the port under the dash, turn it on, turn the key to the on position (not starting) and hit the read button. It will give you a code like PO(XXX) xxx being a number, then go back inside and have them look up that code.
2006-10-19 12:24:50 · answer #3 · answered by Mike C 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take your car in and have the mechanic check all the fluids and belts and then just tell them to reset the computer. Then they should let you know if it is something more serious. When they go to turn off the check engine light they can find out which code triggered the light. That will them know what is wrong. Good Luck.
2006-10-19 13:44:09 · answer #4 · answered by ncamedtech 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like the other poster said get a free Check enginge scan first. That way you know what's wrong ahead of time.
Oil should be changed every 3000 miles or so. 7 months seems long. I hope you at least check the oil level periodcally. Might be something minor like oxygen sensor.
Good luck
2006-10-19 12:42:19 · answer #5 · answered by Wil T 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋