My car is a 1993 Saturn SL2...I've heard maybe it could be an oxygen sensor.
2007-04-29 15:22:59 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
it may be an oxygen sensor but they are one of the most reliable pollution items on your car there are millions replaced annualy that are working fine. It probably means your car is nearing a mfg. scheduled engine check. These lights cause a lot of folks mostly women to get nervous and run to the dealer and say fix what ever you think is wrong. Then after several hundred dollars worth of unneeded repairs the light goes out until the next scheduled mystery problem. Please go to exxonmobile .com for the best explanation of these code lights.
2007-04-29 15:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by bungee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've had a problem like this before and it turned out my gas cap was broken - but this can be a number of things. The car has a bunch of sensors that monitor for things like gas tank pressure, vacuum leaks, oil pressure, fuel injection system, exhaust system etc. when one of the readings exceeds the boundaries it makes the check engine light switch on.
If you take the car to an autozone (in the US) they hook up a computer to the car and get a code for why the light is on. At autozone they do this for free so I imagine you probably should look elsewhere if they try to charge you to read the code.
Once you know which codes are being triggered, here's a list of what they mean for Saturns:
http://www.engine-light-help.com/saturn-check-engine-light.html
Then you can research the problem and have an idea what it would take to fix it etc. There are lots of sites and message boards about this stuff.
Good luck!
2007-04-29 15:41:23 · answer #2 · answered by LetsGoHawks 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a lot of things. The best thing to do is take your car to a mechanic and ask him or her to run a diagnostic test where they can detect, based on a particular code, where the problem is located and quite possibly the exact part that is malfunctioning. Unfortunately, I had the same problem and it ended up being a part within my transmission; I just replaced my ailing vehicle this weekend. More often than not it is a sensor that has malfunctioned, but where it is located should be determined by getting a diagnostic check (the mechanic hooks a little machine to your car, runs the check, and costs anywhere from 20-50 bucks).
2007-04-29 15:35:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jezabel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the answers are on point. the only things i add - or clarify is that it is an intermittent failure and it is setting what is called a "soft code". the computer will continue to check for this problem and if a certain number of ignition cycles (trips) pass without sensing it again - it will turn out the light. if you do take it in and they should be able to pull the "history" data out of the computer. sounds like if it only happens twice a year - and then goes out in a couple days that it is not anything serious - but it would be nice to know what is causing it just the same.
2016-05-17 05:43:58 · answer #4 · answered by nelle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to hook it up to the code reader and then get the code to know what exactly is wrong. Do not use the deale,r because they charge a diagnostic fee for that, perhaps $50. Go to Autozone, rent/borrow one of their code reader and get the code read, they will tell you what is wrong and ask if you wants to buy parts from them to fix it. if it is stuff minor as oxygen sensor, can can buy it from then and bring it to a shop to install it.
2007-04-29 15:31:01 · answer #5 · answered by steak5959 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to your neighbor mechanic and let him or her put a scanner or jump the diagnostic socket under the dashboard and count the flash of check engine soon light then decode it.Can be many things,i.e.lean or rich exhaust,egr flows insufficent.......Just don't try to fix it by throwing parts in the car,good luck.
2007-04-29 15:36:38 · answer #6 · answered by CarmaNguyen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the light is flashing it means it is a misfire. If it is just coming and going it is a intermitent problem and needs to be hooked up to a computer. I believe AutoZone will do it for free
2007-04-29 15:33:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it does sound like an oxygen senser, but you should put it on a computer to get exactly which one it is , you have two o2 sensers, one before and one after the catalytic converter. get it done soon with the gas prices the way they are.
2007-04-29 15:31:40 · answer #8 · answered by Chris H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be an oxygen sensor,shorting out,or maybe it is the throttle position sensor.mine done that and it was the throttle position sensor.
2007-04-29 15:47:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have an intermittent issues with your engine. Could indicate many things but when the light is not on not many things can be found.
2007-04-29 15:39:29 · answer #10 · answered by Pablo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋