WHAT Do You When Your "Check Engine" Light Comes On ?

[metta]

Does that really still happen?

 

[Paws]

I brake, panic, get out of the car and run away.

 

[unloadonme]

Check engine light? I think that means it's time for a new car.

 

[Beachguyj]

I pray and it actually worked last time. The engine light went on in my car and I prayed and it went off. I guess it reset itself and whatever caused it to go off was not a major problem. I hear that they can go off if you do not tighten the gas cap correctly.

 

[chillyboi]

you forgot a poll option PANIC

 

[nsguy2]

99% of the time it's nothing serious but the 1st thing to do is check the coolant and oil levels and add if needed.

If it's still on after that, take it to an autoparts store and they'll scan the computer - as suggested.

It's most likely a malfunctioning sensor and hardly a reason to panic and/or buy a new car.

There's really no drama to be had with a check engine light.

Also keep in mind that the manufacturer of the vehicle knows it better than anyone so check the owners manual - if you have one.

Good luck.

 

[dpnice]

Where is the option 'it is not my responsibility'.

Everything and I mean everything is the responsibility of my garage. I tell them at every service to do everything necessary right down to pumping up the tyres and changing the windscreen washer liquid.

I am not a mechanic and by the way how on earth do you open the 'hood'?

Oh I do wash my own car. I am not as feeble as all that.

 

[FPNY]

make sure the gas cap is tight, then fill it with a tank of permium gas. A lot of times it has something to do with the emission controls tho. I would try the gas first and see what happens. If the light doesnt go out you should have it checked by a pro. A bad emission component could wind up costing you more if you don't fix it quickly.

 

[Lukeee]

I am not a mechanic and by the way how on earth do you open the 'hood'?

I don't know either A hood is the front bit isn't it... I always called it a bonnet. Maybe that is the thing on the wheel.

I can't open the back space where you keep the shopping bags either. The onyl thing I can do in a car is open the door and plug in the seat belt. I don't understand those cars that have 2 doors but 4 seats. Do you climb in the window or something?

 

[biguy732]

The first thing I do is to check the gas cap to see if the attendant put it on tight. Yes, I live in NJ and it is illegal for us to operate a gas pump by ourselves, someone has to do it for us. It cost me about $200 to find that there was a "Fuel line vapor leak" on my car - caused by a loose gas cap. I was also told that you can still drive with the light on - but if the light is flashing then it is something major and you should pull over.

 

[Beachguyj]

Gay men don't like checking under the hood, we prefer to deal with the trunk.

 

[meson23]

I check the simple stuff right away (fluid levels, gas cap), and if that doesn't fix it I usually take it somewhere and get it hooked up to a computer. Lot of those things that set it off (like an O2 sensor) are super easy to fix yourself, and a mechanic will charge you lots more.

On my old truck I paid the $58 fee at the dealership to get it diagnosed by the computer, bought the parts and fixed it myself and saved over $800!!

 

[Jaxom]

Mine came on at 105,000 miles.

pulled out the book and checked.... Checked the gas cap, looked good. Still clicked.

Light did not go out.

Made an appointment with dealership. Had to wait 2 weeks.

on way to dealer ship light goes off at 105,500 miles. WTF

Have them check it just to make sure.

They sell me a new Gas Cap. Only cost $360.

(Also had to change the timing belt. Was 15,000 miles late for that one. Add on another $600.00

Such is life.

 

[Ranchman]

When my light came on once and stayed on for a day I put a piece of duct tape over it - it stopped bothering me...

 

[neruda]

My repairman has nice large hands, a sexy smile and a real nice bod.
Any excuse is good to go meet with him

 

[star-warrior]

Never happened, but if it does, I'd stay indoors after phoning up the garage asking them to fix it, and go make a cup of tea.

 

[Joshua_me]

Get my handy-dandy OBD code reader. It will tell me the problem, then I fix it. I fell so studly when all greasy.

What's an 'OBD code reader' ??

 

[pigface]

Do American cars only have ONE light for everything that could possibly go wrong?
My car has lots of lights for different problems.

 

[Yooper]

What's an 'OBD code reader' ??

On Board Diagnostics...aka OBD. If your car is newer than my clunkers you've got OBDII.

 

[ixthrock]

try this, joshy. when you get in your car, turn the key on, but don't start the engine. gently and completely depress the gas pedal and release it. turn the key off again. count to 100 and start your car.