My check engine light recently came on. What is going on? It it anything major? Everything sounds normal..engine runs smoothly and everything.. Help me out guys. Thanks.

 

There are lots of reasons for Engine check light warning. Your best bet is just take it to the dealer & diagnose.

 

Two common causes are:

1. You left the gas cap off - or loose
2. You have an O2 sensor that went out

songoku's right, there can be many reasons for this. My old '96 Nissan Altima's computer had 47 different codes/conditions that would set off the light.

 

if you want to save some time, if you bring it to an autozone the will run a diagnostic check for free. you may have to show them where to plug in the computer (under the coin tray in my 02 tls) because the kid who tried mine couldn't find it

 

Reading your car manual, it saids that when the check engine light goes on it is either ur gas cap or emission system.

 

I see lots of members with engine check misfire (including my car twice).

 

crap..misfire?? that's not good... so i need new spark plugs or what?

 

u can try to reset the light urself to see if it turns back on again.. cause maybe ur gas cap was loose... tighten it then reset the ecu,.,,

 

The samn engine check light misfire on my car over 10 times.

So, don't be suprised, just mention that to them the next time when you go for oil change or service. If you want a free car wash, you can take it in whenever you want.

Chances are that nothing really went wrong with the engine. The light did come on shortly before my tranny started slipping though...

 

clear the light. If it comes back then worry, if not, it's just a random glitch and there's nothing you can do about it.

btw, never letthe dealer wash the car unless you like scratches and swirls - nobody loves your car more than you do

 

yeah mine went on because of this, they dealer's explanation was that the gas that they use in the winter time has a tendency for the engine to run lean, and since its getting warmer, he said the fuel evaporates or aspirates (dont recall ) causing an air pocket to form in the fuel and resulting in an engine misfire, he said he could clear the code but it would come back until they switch back to summer fuel (whatever the diff is).. he also mentioned they could put in an updated fuel regulator and with parts and labor it would be about $800 I told him to hold off and just replace my tranny (mine's in because of the recall)

 

I have had the same peoblem...dealer said it was EGR malfunction...repairs were supposed to be $485!!!! Anyway, I said I would do it next time and left...

Ok, here is what you could try...Initially, when the check engine light came on, I would reset it, and then it would come on again either later that day, or the next day...Anyway, I got sick of doing this, so I tried the cheapest solution possible...

After reading the boards a while, I got to thinking that maybe some engine fuel system cleaner would help...So I got a $6 bottle of Chevron techron fuel additive, and ran it through my car...Oh, also, I changed the spark plugs before doing this...

Anyway, it's been two weeks, and the check engine light hasn't come on yet!!!! I am so happy, but at the same time apprehensive at when the light might come on again...

My thinking is that maybe adding the fuel additive cleaned out some of the carbon restricting the EGR valve....I don't know, but until that light comes on again, I am complacent with the fact that it only took $6 to fix the check engine light vs. $485 to replace the EGR valve all together....My next step is to clean out the EGR valve physically, and see if that helps, as well...

The moral of this story is that I feel that dealers are out to make money anyway possible, and the fact that they don't try the cheapest alternative to remedy a situation is sad...Why couldn't they recommend using fuel system cleaner? BTW, during my research, I read the dealer uses a great product (can't remember the name)...but it's like $22 or something, and supposedly very good. I might try that next time...but at least my check engine light isn't on yet...CROSSING MY FINGERS....Hope this might solve your problems...

 

the name of the great product is BG44K. If you can find a shop to sell it to you it runs about $15/can...it's great stuff