My "Service Engine Soon" light is on. What should I do? Please read further for details.?

Question

The car's engine is "catching" and it doesn't want to give me any juice when the light turns green, for example. I should call it the Puttermobile. Someone at the auto parts store told me that he thought it was bad gas with water in it, and to just wait until I could get new gas in the tank. Yesterday, however, the service engine light came on. When I popped the hood, I saw the cap to the oil was off. My car leaks oil and it can get down pretty low and the light never comes on. What do you think the problem could be--that the cap was off (is now replaced), that got down to practically no oil right before this started, or still the possibility of bad gas? I know I need to take it to a mechanic, but no $$$ right now to do so. Thanks.

Also, it is a 1999 Dodge Caravan.

Answer 1

Well, first of all did the oil cap blow off?

My boyfriends car did the same thing and now he's only running on 3 cylinders instead of 4.

His coil pack blew and his distributor is a littled messed up.

I would say change your spark plugs and wires, then check to see if it runs better. If not try to replace the coil pack then maybe the distributor.

Also, you can take it to Advanced Auto or any parts store, it's free, that has the computer that will tell you why the engine light is on.

Answer 2

Honestly, I think you need to find the money and take this to the mechanic, find out what is really going on with the vehicle. If you do have a problem with water in the gas, I don't know how adding more gas is going to get rid of that water...It has no where to go, it can't just dissappear. It will go through like the rest of your fuel and that can cause alot of damage.
Is the vehicle still leaking oil, or was it fixed by replacing the cap?
A lack of oil and bad gas can both cause serious damage to your vehicle, personally I would take it in right away. Depending on what is actually wrong with the car, and how long it takes the mechanic to check it out, it's hard to guess at how much it would cost, so just call around and ask. Otherwise I would park it until I could afford it.

It might not be a big deal, or anything, but I think you should find out before driving it anymore.

Answer 3

If low oil was the problem, your oil light would come on, maybe. The SES light that is on indicates there is a problem with the PCM, the engine management system on your vehicle. It will not come on for any other reason except one that affects your vehicle's exhaust emissions.

You will have to have the code that is stored read by someone with a scan tool, one that reads the manufacturer specific codes and not a generic (about useless) one.

Bad gas? not likely your problem. If the engine is misfiring badly the SES light will blink, indicating that you shouldn't drive the vehicle as severe damage could occur to your catalytic converter. Save your money and get it fixed right, guessing will cost you a lot more in the long run!

Answer 4

I believe the Service Engine Soon light is a reminder light to have your oil change done or some other maintenance it's scheduled for...not the same as a Check Engine Light which shows a computer malfunction.....check with a Dodge dealer or your owner's manual. Water in gas problem---fill up the tank with gas from a different station and put a bottle of Isopropyl alchohol type gas additive from a parts store--same as rubbing alchohol from a drugstore--in the tank to absorb any water in the gas....make sure it's isopropyl type, works better than methyl type like Heat. Warm up the car and check/fill the oil to the full level. Oil pressure light should be checked to make sure it's working when you have the $$$

Answer 5

I have had the same problem with a 91 Ford Escort and with my 99 Grand Cherokee. If you don't tighten the gas gap at least 3 clicks the check engine/service engine light can come on. Other times, as it appears in your case, the gas cap can be faulty. Usually replacing the gas cap will do the trick by the next time you turn the car off and then on again. If not, at least give it a week or so (depending on how often you fill up) so that you can see what happens after you fill up next time. It is common for those lights to turn on for stupid reasons and not turn on when you have a serious problem!

Answer 6

They have a fuel additives to take care of water in the gas tank. Its near the fuel injector cleaners and octane busters. The cap being off shouldn't cause a check engine light. You can take it to an AutoZone, or OReillys auto part store and they will check the cars computer and tell you why the check engine lights on.

Answer 7

It could be that the cap was off. Just because a check engine light is on doesn't mean that its anything major. Mine has came on before when my O2 sensors were out and because I hit the rev limiter and topped it out. So it doesn't mean something bad is wrong. But I would take it to a mechanic shop and let them put a computer on it because that is the best way to see why the check engine light is on.

Answer 8

honestly, the only way you are ever going to find out what is wrong with your car, is to have a diagnostic test ran on it. And, almost the only place to have that done, is at an auto shop. Unless you know someone that has a diagnostics tool. It could be any number of things. So, just go and have a diagnostics done on your car, it usually cost about $80.

Answer 9

Many auto parts stores will run a computer diagnosis for you for free. They will let you know what the diagnosis code means, so you can at least talk to a mechanic about what the problem is and how much it might cost to fix.

Answer 10

There are so many things this could be. Like some one has already suggested, find a way to get the code then come back and ask for help with the code you have. It then would be much easier to help give you an idea what is going on.
Good luck.