2007-04-27 16:51:06 · 19 answers · asked by daphdlny 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
(Check Engine Light)
There are many components that work together in the engine to maintain optimal engine performance and economy.
A service engine soon, or check engine light indicates that there is a sensor that is reading a condition that is "out of range".
Simply resetting the light does not solve the initial cause of the problem.
Replacing a number of parts trying to troubleshoot the problem in the hopes of getting the light to stay off is a tremendous waste of time and money.
The simplest, and most economical way to alleviate your issue, is to have an engine diagnostic done by a reputable shop to determine what caused the computer to signal you to begin with. Just reading the computer codes may not find the "cause".
That being said, if per-chance you feel the need to reset the light in the hopes that it was a "glitch" of some kind, you could disconnect the negative battery terminal for a couple of minutes to clear the check engine light.
2007-04-27 16:53:25 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because something needs to be replaced.
Autozone is a parts store. They offer freee checks. No charge. They can pretty much tell you what you need and usually have it in stock.
Remember, you will need to allow the engine to go though 3 hot and cold intervals begore you clear the check engine light.
What that means is that you will need about 3 days of running your car through regular use.
Your check engive light will not go OFF immediately. Give it 3 days for the engine to run hot, then cool off, then cold.
2007-04-27 16:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to have the Engine Computer scanned for trouble codes. The code will only give you a direction to go, NOT what needs to be fixed.
Auto Zone can scann it for you but, NOT diagnose it. It could be as simple as a loose gas cap to a bad spark plug to a simple vaccum leak. The causes are endless and proper training is required.
2007-04-27 17:58:58 · answer #3 · answered by epitt72 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be anything from poor quality gasoline to something major and dangerous. There are more systems that are monitored by the ECM, (electronic control module) than ever before.
It could even be transmission related also. Fuel filter, air filter anything wrong will set it off. Watch for noises, overheating, lower mpg,or anything else new to show up.
The dealer can read the code and will tell him what is at fault.
Most national auto repair chain stores also have the expensive machine to plug into your cra and diagnose the problem quickly
2007-04-27 16:58:09 · answer #4 · answered by Sal D 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only thing it is telling you is your engine management computer has recorded one or more faults.
Many automotive parts store will scan the computer for you for free. Have it looked at.
Literally, there are hundreds of things that can cause the CE light to come on. There is no sense guessing.
Incidentally, lose gas cap is ONE of the reasons for it to come on. Secure it if it was lose. In few days, it will go off.
2007-04-27 16:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by tkquestion 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It can come on for many different reasons. Some can be minor and some major. Go to your locat autoparts place and have them run a ecu diagnostic (usually free). This will give you a place to start. Also if you just put gas in you car, make sure the gas cap is on correctly. If its not, this can cause the eng. light to come also.
2007-04-27 16:57:28 · answer #6 · answered by onefinesacaman 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i own a repair shop and you can real easily go to auto zone and have this one scanned,there's only about 30 things in a car or truck that will make that light come on,anything from a bad sensor to a voltage drop will cause it,and they only way to find out for sure is to have it scanned and see what trouble codes appear,and this will help you a lot in repairing it,because you don't need to go spending money on parts that you think you need or that someone has guessed that you need,have it scanned and you,ll know for sure,good luck hope this helps,
2007-04-27 17:13:37 · answer #7 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go to an AutoZone or another Car parts store, ask for a Diagnostics test, they'll pull out a machine that'll check your cars computer and tell you how to go about fixing it
2007-04-27 16:59:54 · answer #8 · answered by Beebz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
dont listen to the idiots that tell you to take it to AUTO ZONE or other parts store these parts stores are not trained in diagnostics they are simply guessing and do not know for sure if you take it to a real repair facility the can help you out and make sure you dont spend money on parts your car may not need
2007-04-27 17:05:04 · answer #9 · answered by Jack U 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nobody can diagnose that over the computer. Go to a car place and have them check it out. They can hook up a computer to it and find out what kind of problem there is.
Good luck.
2007-04-27 16:54:46 · answer #10 · answered by wanderingmind 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋