if my check engine light is on could that mean i need transmission fluid or engine oil?

Question

my check engine light came on and than it didnt come back on when i restarted it for a couple days. Than it started blinking and came on steady...could that mean i need fluid?

if not...what could be the problem?

Answer 1

No it means you should get out of the car, open the hood and check to see if the engine is still there. If the engine is missing, cut a hole in the floor boards and operate like Fred Flintstone. Yaba daba dooooooooooooooooooooo.

Answer 2

the only way the check or srvc engine light would come on for low fluid levels would be if it is causing a runability problem. The check engine light can be diagnosed at your local Auto Zone for free. The porpuse of the check engine light is primarily emmisions related. Meaning that the vehicles emissions systems are nort working proparly, such as an evaporitive emmisions problem, bad oxygen sensor, cylinder missfire, or hundrfeds of other things, sometimes if you fuel your auto with the engine running or dont screw on the gas cap tight enough. in most cases a blinking check engine light will be for a major cylinder mis-fire, could just need a tune up, or an injector. Go to the local shop (best idea) or Auto zone and they can scan it with a modis, tech2 or other obd2 reading computer. the cost of having it scanned at the local shop should be between 19-30 bucks. I have 12 years auto experiance and work in New York State, here a auto will not pass its yearly emmisions inspection if the light is on so I deal with trhose stupid lights many many many times a day. Hope this Helps James H

Answer 3

No check engine light will not come on because of low fluid, but some of the problems low fluid can cause will cause the check engine light to come on. If you let it get too low on oil and start starving the lifters so the valves are not opening and closing right it will drive the 02 sensors and computers nuts trying to keep the timing adjusted to compensate for it.
By the same token if you let it get low on water so the heads are overheating and causing valve clatter that will also drive the O2 sensors and computer nuts.
That said your on board computer is programmed to operate with in certain parameters of adjusting the engine's timing and fluid intake to get the best efficiency and least emissions. or stated another way optimum efficiency and performance.
One of the key components is the 02 sensors in your exhaust system which measures and monitors the exhaust gases.
02 sensors operate in a high temperature environment and as such that is usually a good place to start looking when you have a Check engine light come on.

Answer 4

You probably need engine oil> Get an oil Change do not add it yourself. The mechanic can let you know what the real problem is if you do a Diagnostic Check. That would cost you between $40. - $50. That is cheaper than a screwed up engine. Also, this is another thought,sometimes the engine light is triggered by the gas tank cap, if it is not screwed on tightly the air will get in it and that makes the engine light click on.

Answer 5

Well, it could be because of low oil-but i doubt it. If it was the oil the oil light would be coming on. Still check your engine oil level just to be certain, it doesnt take 30 seconds to check it.
A check engine light could be just about anything. Have you noticed anything odd about the way your car is running? If you are not mechanically inclined, find a friend or someone you can trust to check the car out for you.

Answer 6

As opposed to the previous answer, yes, the check engine light CAN come on for an oil change or transmission fluid being low. But, it could also come on for something entirely unrelated to those two things. So, I'd recommend a trip to your car's dealership to have their mechanics check it out on their computer.

Answer 7

I think a lot of people here are confusing a service reminder light for a check engine light. Very different functions.

Answer 8

it means you should have your computer(s) scanned for trouble codes.when the light is blinking it means that you are doing damage to the catalytic converter;and that you should have the comp scanned immediately.and repair.