There are hundreds of things to cause a CEL and blindly guessing is BAD you can spend hundreds/thousands of dollars to not fix it ... GET the code read then we can give you the correct part to look at ...
A lot of those kinds of places use code readers and not code scanners. A reader will usually just tell you what the code is. If the light is off, cheaper ones will not be able to view history codes. Try taking it to a local shop and have them diagnose it. My shop charges 90$/hr for computer diagnose (a lot of times we waive it if its a larger repair, or charge less if its a smaller repair). Have them give you the exact code number (ie P0404) and the description of the code.
If it has been coming on and off the first thing I would check would be your gas cap. EVAP system is responsible for about 50% of the CEL's I see at work, and Id say 1/3 of them are due to the gas cap not being tightened.
A CEL can be triggered by literally hundreds/thousands of different things. The last thing you want to do, as was stated earlier, is just start throwing parts at it. Even if Autozone tells you "Yo dawg, you need new oxygen sensors" get the exact code number from them. I have seen people mistake a code for broken wires leading to the O2 sensor for a bad 02 sensor.
Jim
« Last Edit: November 26, 2007, 03:02:31 AM by Jim »
yea i'm not about to spend any money until i figure it out
so would i go to a dodge dealer or mitisbishi?
It's really not that big of a deal, if it stays on steady then i'll take action quicker
Most mid size auto repair shops will have a decent scanner. Dealerships sometimes have manufacturer specific scan tools (most prevalent among European cars), however a repair shop will have a generic scan tool.
any tips on where I could find someone to do this free of charge?
No, not really. Most shops invest thousands into these kinds of tools and will rarely diagnose for free. Your best bet is to find a forum member who works at a repair shop and see if they can hook you up. I scan my friends vehicles for free, but my boss gets upset if I start scanning customers cars for free lol
the light hasn't been on since i changed the oil maybe that had something to do with it but i don't see why unless this car has a oil-life system but it seems to old to have something like that
i have a friend at a chevy dealer...probably no good tho
I also have a friend taking advanced auto classes at the community college, i'll see if he'll help me out
the light hasn't been on since i changed the oil maybe that had something to do with it but i don't see why unless this car has a oil-life system but it seems to old to have something like that
i have a friend at a chevy dealer...probably no good tho
I also have a friend taking advanced auto classes at the community college, i'll see if he'll help me out
I do not think an oil change would really be the problem. SOMETIMES if you leave the dipstick loose or oil cap off the engine will run rough and if the engine has an knock sensor then that may be it, but either way, there should still be a history code.
The guy at the chevy dealership should be able to help you out just fine. As long as you are not actually doing computer diagnostic testing and troubleshooting, but rather simply viewing pending and history codes, any scan tool will work. When you want toget into manufacturer specific testing, you usually need to use a special "catridge" for the scan tool.
where in michigan do u live? just curious b/c i go to grcc for the autoprogram im just taking a semester off. my check engine light comes on and off too and once i restart the car its gone and it oinly comes on like once every few weeks
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95 avenger es. 2.5v6 port matched upper and lower intakes, custom CAI, all 3 cats deleted, sythetic oil, sythetic atf4 fluid and tranny cooler 98 Monte Carlo z34 l67 topswap with xpcam, CAI, headers, custom exhaust, ported supercharger, 3.25 mps, custom tune 13.86 @99mph
where in michigan do u live? just curious b/c i go to grcc for the autoprogram im just taking a semester off. my check engine light comes on and off too and once i restart the car its gone and it oinly comes on like once every few weeks
I'm in Lansing, I'm actually gonna take some autobody classes at LCC next semester... GRCC = Grand Rapids Comm. College?
The light hasn't been on in a few days...my buddy is gonna take a look at it sometime
where in michigan do u live? just curious b/c i go to grcc for the autoprogram im just taking a semester off. my check engine light comes on and off too and once i restart the car its gone and it oinly comes on like once every few weeksÂ
I'm in Lansing, I'm actually gonna take some autobody classes at LCC next semester... GRCC = Grand Rapids Comm. College?
The light hasn't been on in a few days...my buddy is gonna take a look at it sometime
if it stays on..thats when you have a problem. it most likely is an 02 sensor. my 96 used to do that
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