Check engine(idiot) light

[Buckmark]

Also it's good to note that the code reader is not going to tell you specifically what part is bad. It will tell you there is a misfire code but it won't tell you ... you have a bad spark plug... or something along those lines. Once you have the code you either actually diagnose the problem or shotgun/guess some parts at it.

What??? you mean you dont just plug the thingy in and it tells you whats wrong and needs to be replaced...

[Bean Counter]

OP: Make sure you use the arrow over key to toggle through ALL the codes. Its often not just one. I know a guy who drives 200,000+ mile vehicles and has cars held together by duct tape 

I have a simple fix
small piece of black tape, no more annoying  red light.   

You must be a medical doctor! 

[coachcw]

listen just run into a oriellys and have them read the code ... don't let them tell what it could be. Give me a call and I can most likely tell you what it is or how to check it . Even if its a evap code it could cause problem say if a purge valve is stuck it could cause it to run rich and kill a catalytic converter . Thosecodes are there for a reason . (206)522-6100 Corey

[NOCK NOCK]

Nock Nock-
Go to your local auto parts store and have them retrieve the code for you. Reply back here with the code and we'll see what we can do to help. The truth is there's a couple hundred different reasons that light could be on. All sorts of possibilities...
There's no such a part as an "emission sensor". There are multiple sensors that are emissions related, but not one called an emission sensor.

Pretty sure its on because of an exhaust leak. Odd thing is though, that the leak has been happening for a month or two and just now the light came on. In the past 2 months it has come on 2 other times. 1st was supposed gas cap issue. 2nd time was for a leaky seal in transmission which has been repaired. Maybe it is a totally different issue this time. So there really is no way to keep the light from reactivating once its cleared?

[NOCK NOCK]

You are going to risk a $30,000+ piece of equipment to save some time and/or $100?   

The issue I have is ALOT more spendy than $100

[jackelope]

Nock Nock-
Go to your local auto parts store and have them retrieve the code for you. Reply back here with the code and we'll see what we can do to help. The truth is there's a couple hundred different reasons that light could be on. All sorts of possibilities...
There's no such a part as an "emission sensor". There are multiple sensors that are emissions related, but not one called an emission sensor.

Pretty sure its on because of an exhaust leak. Odd thing is though, that the leak has been happening for a month or two and just now the light came on. In the past 2 months it has come on 2 other times. 1st was supposed gas cap issue. 2nd time was for a leaky seal in transmission which has been repaired. Maybe it is a totally different issue this time. So there really is no way to keep the light from reactivating once its cleared?

Check engine light absolutely will not come on for a transmission fluid leak.

In order to make the light stay off, they need to fix the problem. It comes on because there is a malfunction.

[Buckmark]

Nock Nock-
Go to your local auto parts store and have them retrieve the code for you. Reply back here with the code and we'll see what we can do to help. The truth is there's a couple hundred different reasons that light could be on. All sorts of possibilities...
There's no such a part as an "emission sensor". There are multiple sensors that are emissions related, but not one called an emission sensor.

Pretty sure its on because of an exhaust leak. Odd thing is though, that the leak has been happening for a month or two and just now the light came on. In the past 2 months it has come on 2 other times. 1st was supposed gas cap issue. 2nd time was for a leaky seal in transmission which has been repaired. Maybe it is a totally different issue this time. So there really is no way to keep the light from reactivating once its cleared?

If the problem, or problems are repaired then the MIL will stay off when cleared until or if another problem arises, it is there to notify the driver of a problem...

[NOCK NOCK]

  I get that. Just curious if it is possible to clear a "particular" code so it does not turn the light on again....but the light will still come on again if another issue is detected.

[jackelope]

Nock Nock-
Go to your local auto parts store and have them retrieve the code for you. Reply back here with the code and we'll see what we can do to help. The truth is there's a couple hundred different reasons that light could be on. All sorts of possibilities...
There's no such a part as an "emission sensor". There are multiple sensors that are emissions related, but not one called an emission sensor.

Pretty sure its on because of an exhaust leak. Odd thing is though, that the leak has been happening for a month or two and just now the light came on. In the past 2 months it has come on 2 other times. 1st was supposed gas cap issue. 2nd time was for a leaky seal in transmission which has been repaired. Maybe it is a totally different issue this time. So there really is no way to keep the light from reactivating once its cleared?

If the problem, or problems are repaired then the MIL will stay off when cleared until or if another problem arises, it is there to notify the driver of a problem...

My bet is that the gas cap problem actually wasn't a gas cap problem. You took it in, there was an evap code, unable to reproduce the fault, and they told you maybe the gas cap was loose. Or maybe they told you it was a bad cap and replaced it.
That never works...the code reset and turned the light back on.

 

[jackelope]

I get that. Just curious if it is possible to clear a "particular" code so it does not turn the light on again....but the light will still come on again if another issue is detected.

When a problem happens, it sets a code. The code turns the light on. If the problem is not fixed, the code will continue to set and the light will continue to come on/stay on.

[Buckmark]

 The check engine light/MIL can come on for a transmission problem due to low fluid levels from a leak, but not for something leaking...
*
Just an FYI for the people that say ignore it or cover it up, due know that if the light is on and another problem develops you will not be made aware of it and it could cause more problems down the road that may of been avoided..

[jackelope]

The check engine light/MIL can come on for a transmission problem due to low fluid levels from a leak, but not for something leaking...
*
Just an FYI for the people that say ignore it or cover it up, due know that if the light is on and another problem develops you will not be made aware of it and it could cause more problems down the road that may of been avoided..

Good point....

[h20hunter]

Here is how I see most try and deal with this. Take it to the Schmucks....get your code, Google the heck out of it, read a few forums, call and chat with either Buckmark or Jackelope about what it could be, narrow them down to thier top three choices, grind them about the labor times and keep asking why so much, then, get back to the parts guys, have them read you the part numbers for previously mentioned three posbilites, then remember you need a pen, ask them to repeat the numbers 3 times because you aren't paying attention or have anything to wright on, then get back on google, look for the cheapest place in the galaxy to buy the part, install it yourself, find out it didn't fix the problem, call back, complain, demand free diag and wholesale on the parts.

Easy as that.

 

[grundy53]

Also it's good to note that the code reader is not going to tell you specifically what part is bad. It will tell you there is a misfire code but it won't tell you ... you have a bad spark plug... or something along those lines. Once you have the code you either actually diagnose the problem or shotgun/guess some parts at it.

Mine does. It told me that it was my number one spark plug that was causing the issue.

[jackelope]

Also it's good to note that the code reader is not going to tell you specifically what part is bad. It will tell you there is a misfire code but it won't tell you ... you have a bad spark plug... or something along those lines. Once you have the code you either actually diagnose the problem or shotgun/guess some parts at it.

Mine does. It told me that it was my number one spark plug that was causing the issue.

#1 cylinder maybe, but not #1 spark plug. We run $10k scan tools that won't tell you it's a spark plug.