Check engine light?

[JcMack]

I've got 2 code readers. About every 2-3 months I have to reset a code that refers to a gas cap leak. Code descriptions are available on the iinternet. like everything else. Just key in OBDll and the code you want to research.

 

[Technocircus316]

i bought a code reader from amazon pretty cheap i would think it would store a code if triggered the light

 

[erikpolcrack]

On two different Toyotas I have owned the check engine light went on because the gas cap was not properly placed back on and tightened in place after filling the tank. In both cases, the light went out after a day or two after the gas cap was properly tightened down.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I had a check engine light on my Mustang. Yesterday, the Ford dealer fixed it. Intermittent ignition. New spark plugs and cleaned the throttle body. I didn't know how powerful that GT Coyote engine is! Best $709.00 I ever spent!

 

[kamloops67]

If my vehicle throws a cel I just turn down the music and fan and listen for a minute
If it sounds alright and behaves normally ,I don’t worry about it
It’s still just a motor regardless how many lights and computers are on it

 

[DixieRanger]

Wife's 2015 Equinox check eng light came on. O'Reilly checked code and reset. Evap canister code. Came on again and reset. My repair guy says rub vasoline on rubber seal on gas cap. Did and came on month later. Bought new gas cap. So far all is well.

 

[Jon651]

" Certain codes can be set as the result of a few different things going wrong, and it's up to the mechanic to diagnosis which one it is."

Now that's funny right there.

Check engine light came on in my Mazda 2400. Diagnosis by dealer said EGR valve bad. Paid for a new one. Check engine light came back on during trip home. Took it back the next day. New diagnosis said the solid metal tube from throttle body to EGR valve was bad. Installed new one--for a fee. What can go wrong with a solid metal tube? I ask. Shrugs. Light comes on again on second trip home. Back to dealer. This time they find the throttle body opening for the solid metal tube that goes to the EGR valve was plugged with gunk. Cleaned it out with spray cleaner. Finally fixed.

Diagnosis, right . . . If the computer says it's bad, it bad. If it's not, keep replacing parts until the owner cries, "Uncle!"

It's unfortunate, but too many "mechanics" are nothing but parts-swappers until the issue finally goes away - or until they bring in the person who actually knows how how to do diagnostics. Many manufacturers have diagnostic flow charts and loads of other detailed information that help the technician narrow it down to the the actual issue, but too many dealers want the car in and out of their shop as quickly as possible so they resort to swapping parts hoping that they catch it quick.

In your case, the tech should have actually tested the EGR valve and moved on to the next possible cause when it tested good. I guarantee that there's a procedure for it. A new EGR tube should have been accompanied by also cleaning out the passages that lead to both ends. Unfortunately, they took the easy route and just slapped in a new valve, rolled the dice, and moved on to the next car. After all, they are going to charge you for however many hours work the book calls for, even if it takes half that...

 

[Farmer17]

Congrats on the 244,000 miles.

Which engine do you have?

I have the V6 305 hp engine and am quite happy with it. It's fast revving with nice acceleration and pulls my ski boat just fine. It also gets about 20+ miles per gallon in the city with a heavy right foot. The check engine code is P0456 Evap leak detected (very small).

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

More than twenty-five years ago, I drove a company Chevrolet pickup with a lot of miles on it for years. Every time I drove at highway speeds the "service engine" light came on. I was only concerned about this when I had to go out of town. The company mechanic told me that this wasn't at all unusual for a high mileage vehicle. They ignored it; pickup worked fine. I got used to the warning light.

My 20 year old Avalanche has had the CEL on for years.....I blacked it out with a piece of tape......EVERYTHING on the vehicle works perfectly........Uses no oil-trans fluid......Parked on concrete.......Nothing leaks.

 

[ACORN]

Here in Pa. When you go for annual inspection the first thing they do is the emissions test. A check engine light can cause your vehicle to fail.
No emissions test no inspection.
Unless yo are under 5000 miles since last year or if you can get a waiver

 

[JcMack]

Here in Pa. When you go for annual inspection the first thing they do is the emissions test. A check engine light can cause your vehicle to fail.
No emissions test no inspection.
Unless yo are under 5000 miles since last year or if you can get a waiver

Their system can tell them if you've reset OBD codes prior to your inspection.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Here in Pa. When you go for annual inspection the first thing they do is the emissions test. A check engine light can cause your vehicle to fail.
No emissions test no inspection.
Unless yo are under 5000 miles since last year or if you can get a waiver

Depends on what county you live. Here in Cumberland county my vehicles must pass the emissions test. Perry county, just north of me, doesn't. Or used to 10 years ago. Has it changed?

John

 

[MOD19IYAOYAS]

It's annual in Adams County.....and it seems to creep by me almost every time unless I'm reminded at a servicing.

 

[toddimusnimski]

In NY an annual inspection is required. I believe many states do as well. If a CEL is on, the car won't pass inspection until the problem is resolved. You only have 10 days.

I know that now I will hear stuff from a bunch of you saying how bad the state is. Personally, I support the cause. We already have too many stoopid drivers out there. We don't want cars to fall apart and add to the danger.

Annoying but I get the point of the inspections, what with the salt being used on the roads there for winter de-icing. I swear I never saw newer cars with rust issues until I was stationed at Ft Drum in 1990. No doubt a few mechanics over there have some pretty chilling stories of their finds. The post even required that annual NY state inspection for a soldier's vehicle even if it was still registered in their home state.

I was shocked when Washington State finally did away with its biennial emissions testing in 2020, as air quality had improved with cars becoming more efficient.

Todd

 

[ACORN]

Depends on what county you live. Here in Cumberland county my vehicles must pass the emissions test. Perry county, just north of me, doesn't. Or used to 10 years ago. Has it changed?

John

No, you are correct. I was speaking in generalities. Some countries have it and some don’t. A violation of the equal protection clause but that’s another thing.
Here in SW Pa. Allegheny County has it but some of the surrounding don’t.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Here in Pa. When you go for annual inspection the first thing they do is the emissions test. A check engine light can cause your vehicle to fail.
No emissions test no inspection.
Unless yo are under 5000 miles since last year or if you can get a waiver

Thank GOD I live in South Carolina...........Where cooler heads prevail.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I don’t think I had it in Beaver County but I moved to PGH in 1998. Depending on the code, my remote start wouldn’t work on my Chevies.