Ok I have a 2003 Pontiac grand am and the check engine soon light came on. I have no money to get this checked out. It came on this morning. What could this be? I only have 50,000 miles on it.
2007-02-23 03:09:37 · 12 answers · asked by alwaysperfec237 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If your cars is running well it may be a light timed to go off when regular maintenance check should be done. It could be your pollution control system too. Both are not emergency's. You could ask a trusted mechanic for their advice, that should be free. I would try to take care of it as soon as my budget allowed.
All the answers above are right too.
2007-02-23 03:15:36 · answer #1 · answered by JAN 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A light on steady means there is a problem the the ECM has found and is not in need of IMEDIATE repair, but should be looked at. If the light is flashing, a misfire has been detected and should be taken in asap. Autozone will check this out for free and tell you what code is in the computer and what it might be. Could be as simple as a loose gas cap, could be an oxygen sensor, could be almost anything. The entire engine is using sensors to watch what is happening in the engine as well as transmission. My suggestion is go to autozone and get the code and see what it is. Then GOOGLE the code and read how to troubleshoot it. You might need to take it to a mechanic. If the problem does not occur again in a certain amount of time the light will go out but if it occurs again it will come back on or stay on. Get the code and feel free to email me and I will help as best I can.
2007-02-23 03:18:21 · answer #2 · answered by Mark W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to have your car plugged into a diagnostic machine in order to find out what exactly is wrong. To be honest usually it is a sensor that is fouled. You should call and get several quotes for the diagnostic. Many mechanics are crooked. I am sure if you call enough shops you will find one that will do the diagnostic for free, but 40 to 50 dollars is a great price for this service. Start saving money now, and keep your ears open for unusual sounds and vibrations. As soon as you have enough money saved go have it checked. Usually it is nothing to bad. But you should have it checked as soon as possible. One way to be sure you have a problem...find a friend who is mechanically inclined, and disconnect the battery, wait for a few minutes, and reconnect it. By doing this, Your computer will reset, and the light will be off.
But chances are, the light will come back on very shortly.
2007-02-23 03:21:44 · answer #3 · answered by gibson_slayer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a flashing service engine soon light means that a engine misfire that is severe enough to cause damage to the cat. convertor is happening. Having work on that type of vehicle often, I would say that, 1. a wire is broken or not all the way on, 2 a pair of wire switched around or 3. A broken spark plug. Also if you look in you owners manuel spark plugs have a life of 100,000 miles.
2016-03-29 08:36:04 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many times, the sensors go out and this causes that light to go on. Is your vehicle overheating? Is it stalling? smoking?having trouble starting? making some weird noise when you turn it on? while you are driving? Is it vibrating? Answer this questions, and if no other light is turning on, then you might have some time before you take it in and get a diagnostic exam. That is the only process that will tell you exactly why that light turned on.
2007-02-23 03:18:16 · answer #5 · answered by Danver 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
is the car running all right? did you put gas in it this morning? if you did and you didn't put the gas cap on tight enough, the pressure in the system between your tank and engine will be low enough to trigger a check engine light. if it's loose, just tighten it and the light will reset itself. if not that and the car is running alright, it could be just an emission problem that can wait until you can afford to have it looked at.
2007-02-23 03:18:01 · answer #6 · answered by bill blasphemy 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yellow warning indicaters, mean you have some leway time wise, before you need to take it in. Red warning lights mean stop now and deal with the problem.
Those yellow lights mean your computer has found some thing that is no longer working correctly
2007-02-23 03:16:34 · answer #7 · answered by duster 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This most commonly happens when your gas cap is not on tight enough and too much air gets in. Fill your car up and make sure the cap goes on straight and tight. if that is the problems. the light should re-set. If not, it may be a bigger problem.
2007-02-23 03:13:45 · answer #8 · answered by rebel g 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
haha, a lot of things could be wrong
ok so you have no money , NO WORRY :)
take it to autozone and ask them to run a computer diagnostic to verify what the problem is
By the way they do this for FREE !!!
its one of there courtesy policies to attract customers
then youll know whats wrong :P
2007-02-23 03:15:11 · answer #9 · answered by dragongml 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
take it to the nearest AutoZone. They will check the codes for free and even tell you what the problem may be.
2007-02-23 03:12:53 · answer #10 · answered by credo quia est absurdum 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋