Service engine soon light came on and stayed on one morning...

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Answer by dirtydunky
Submitted on 7/16/2004
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check engine light comes on when a code is STORED in the pcm ie its not supposed to turn off when the computer detects a problem until the codes have been cleared by a scan tool or with a service check connector (dashboard diagnostics) if it turns off after it comes on you have electrical problems parts dont heal themselves if it comes on get it checked immidiately auto zone checks codes for free w/ no obligation to buy anything they just hope to sell u the parts u need the guy who got hit (deb) check for blown fuses and fix the cause if they blow out again (prob a crushed/shorted wire in the area of the hit) for the guy who sold u the car and said it was no problem sue his ass 4 the repairs (lemon laws)or just sue him to buy it back and the other guy whos mechanic told him "dont worry" get a new mechanic

Answer by DallasHelper Miles
Submitted on 12/10/2004
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GUYS I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SO I CHECKED THE GAS CAP AND IT WAS NOT SHUT ALL THE WAY IN. MOST LIKELY ALL OF YOU OVERSAW THAT. DONT PAY OR BUY ANYTHING 1st step to fix your problem is take it to any AUTOZONE they have free check engine light sensor. They hook their computer to your car computer and VOILA answer to your problem. That pretty much tells you why your having the Check Light problem. 2nd step is to check that gas cap that was my problem did not screw it back on tightly after filling up with gas. So tighten it up and allow 1-2 days for your car computer to reset the sensors and VOILLA NO MORE LIGHT. PEOPLE THAT IS THE NUMBER 1 cause of check engine light GOOD LUCK ALL

Answer by Bard
Submitted on 9/23/2005
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hmmm I wonder if anyone has had THIS experience with "service engine soon". Saturn 1997 4 door sedan (SL1 or 2 I forget which). 73k miles. One day in June (of 2004) as I left work to go home that light came on and stayed on. I drove right to the local shop, they ran a diagnostic scan, and the scan said everything was just fine. The light stayed on. It went back off in a couple of days, but came on again a week or so later. Back to the shop, another DX, another nothing's wrong. The light from then was on or off for a few days at a time, but never stayed off. A third DX scan a couple months later also came up nothing's wrong. Oct 2004 was time for a smogcheck, which as someone mentioned, they won't run if service engine soon is on. Since dx came up empty, the local shop pulled and cleaned the SES sensor and told me to drive it till it reset and the light went off. I did, got it smog checked...passed by ONE point. Something was very wrong. ANOTHER DX scan...nothing is wrong. We tried doing a full scale tune up. Wierdly, my gas mileage hadn't gone down, nor did it get any better (or worse) after the tuneup. The SES light continued to come on, stay on a few days, go off a few days, etc. About two months ago that pattern changed. It came on almost every time I drove to work, while I was climbing the ridge out here. Then when I came back home from work it would be off. Yes, STILL ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC SCAN. This time it said the "erg valve" was bad. I am told that is a $500 repair. I don't want to pay for that and find out, as with the $170 sensor cleaning and the $260 tune up, that it hasn't fixed whatever is wrong. Any one out there have something like this happen, and can help?

Answer by gkha
Submitted on 8/20/2006
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i took my car for smog check.it failed reason given was misfire cylinder 3 obd p0303. I took it to one mechanic and told me that if i change spark plug the service engine soon light will be off and you will be able to pass your smog test. for $75 i let him do it. I drove the car after 5 minutes drive the service engine bsoon light came back. I was worried and took it to another mechanic. The other mechanic came up with diagnostic result and told me I have a problem with misssfire in valve 3 and 4 and bad valve and gave me an estimate to fix the problem which nis $1800. I told him i would rather get another car than paying for this 98 chevy blazer. Ah if that is the case i know someone who will give you $2000 as is. my question is. Is this guy telling me the truth or trying to buy my car by instilling fear in me? any idea. please help.

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Question by Mike Vorsteg
Submitted on 7/24/2003
Related FAQ: rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6
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Service engine soon light came on and stayed on one morning when starting my 1996 Dodge Caravan. Engine codes 12, 32, and 55 extracted. What is code 32 for this vehicle and what is the best guess of the problem as the van runs well with no apparent change since light came on.

Answer by rapallone
Submitted on 8/17/2003
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I have a 1993 Chevy APV van. The service engine soon light came on when the engine was started, but goes off after driving. The light then comes on again after stopping at light or stop sign while idling. Appears that increased engine compression will turn light off. Checked gas cap and cap is on. Engine runs well.

Answer by erniejr007
Submitted on 9/1/2003
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Check the O2 sensor

Answer by james
Submitted on 9/3/2003
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check gas cap any of the fluids can be low and cause that brakefluids trans fluid ect.

Answer by farahg
Submitted on 9/22/2003
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Service engine soon light came on and stayed on one morning when starting my Mitsubishi Montero Sport, and it won't turn off when the car past 70mph the car shakes a little. What can the problem be.

Answer by chris
Submitted on 9/23/2003
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My 2000 Jeep does that occasionally. The service garage told me not to worry if it's running ok and the light is on steady not flickering.

Answer by Petrus Vectorius
Submitted on 12/20/2003
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Engine code 32 is EGR Solenoid Crcuit. My Haynes Repair Manual says "An open or Shorted condition detected in the EGR Transducer solenoid circuit." Xode 12 is Battery Dosconnect within past 50 Key-on cycles at the PCM (Powertrain Control Module) and 55 probably simply means that the "Service Engine Soon" light was on.

Answer by 00mitsumirage
Submitted on 1/24/2004
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My Service Engine Soon Light is on, when I took it into the shop to get it smog checked, the technician said the computer is telling him Warm up Cat Efficiency Below Threshold. Can someone please help me on how to fix this problem

Answer by Jay
Submitted on 1/26/2004
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My "service engine soon" light has been on since i purchased my used 1998 Nissan Altima one month ago. The salesman told me not to worry about it because it was nothing really. What do you think could be the problem, and what should i do to find out the exact problem?

Answer by Mary
Submitted on 3/18/2004
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I have a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina. The Service Engine Soon Light keeps coming on. Could someone please tell me what is the problem? Help, They won't inspect my car until the problem is fixed. Thanks

Answer by Chuck.C
Submitted on 4/13/2004
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Mary your vehicle needs to be repaired by a person who knows what they are doing. a service engine soon light or a check engine light means you have a computer related problem.left unchecked could destroy your catalytic converter.also you can't fix any computer problem without a scan tool to see exactly what is going on.

Answer by Chuck C.
Submitted on 4/13/2004
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Jay the salesman lied to you.ANY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT OR CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT that comes on while the engine is running indicates a computer sensor problem and must be repaired a.s.a.p. you wouldn't ask a store clerk about a sore foot so why would you listen to a dumb a#$ salesman about a technical problem.

Answer by Viper
Submitted on 5/22/2004
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I just bought a 1998 Nissan Altima gxe and its running about 105,000 miles. The day my dad bought the car after 4 hours later the service engine soon light came up. Does anyone know what to do now??

Answer by Deb
Submitted on 6/28/2004
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My service engine soon light came on on my 1998 Chevy Lumina, but went out a few days later. When the car was hit in May on the passenger side, the light came on again and has stayed on. It's running fine. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Answer by shirley
Submitted on 8/18/2004
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My car is 2001 Builk with 64000-mileage and service engine soon light always on when I bought the car, the sales man told me that is only a setup problem. I went to a shop, the technician said that the computer is telling him to replaced 2 oxygen sensors. Right now, 2 oxygen sensors have been replaced and catalytic convener has been checked ok. The engine service soon light still on after drive 20 miles. Please help!

Answer by Dana Newcombe
Submitted on 5/23/2006
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A check engine light is generally tripped by a reading taken by the oxygen sensor that indicates too high of an emmmissions output. T his may, or may , may not be something to concern yourself with. Often a code gets stored in the ecm due to a temporarily malfunctioning component. These codes will remain in the ecm until they are properly removed. A "Service Engine Soon" light, is most often connected with oil change intervals, and or another periodic maintenance requirement,this light is NOT as much of a concern. This light has to be reset by various methods, ask a technician who knows. Thanks, Dana. (40 years auto repair)

Answer by Wiaka
Submitted on 8/18/2004
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We bought a 98 WindStar; everything was fine until we had the engine serviced. The Service engine soon light came on. Than a day later went off. Until we had it serviced again .. now it comes on goes off, it might stay on for a day or two than go off just to come back a day later or so. Is this from the servicing of the engine, or is there a short or did the repair shop do something to cause this?

Answer by beardog91
Submitted on 12/1/2004
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2002 Mitsubishi montero service engine soon light comes on stays on after 3-5 startes goes off,but the light is not going off now,dealers mechanics say egr valve was dirty they cleaned it,light came back on the very next day.now they said the computer code says it's emissions related they want to replace everything on emissions check list meanwhile the emissions is not under my warranty,I'm being screwed with no grease

Answer by STEVE
Submitted on 12/15/2004
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I have a 90 Lumina. My 'Service Engine Soon' light came on for 3 days. I type 'Lumina service engine soon' in a internet search tool and was brought here. After reading the above I turned my gas cap a couple times and the light went out and has styed out for a week. I called Checker and they said they would read the computer readout for free, per above apparently Autozone does as well.

Answer by chrisj
Submitted on 1/8/2005
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I have a 1995 chevy beretta and the service engine soon light came on one day and went off, later that day it came on again and now it will not go off I changed the O2 censor and had a tune up, it seems to run good but the light is still on, could someone help me? Is their a reset button??

Answer by joe alverodo
Submitted on 1/20/2005
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possibly the "mass air flow sensor" is failing; better get it replaced before you find yourself stalled on the freeway

Answer by marter
Submitted on 1/22/2005
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Does anyone know how to turn off the check engine light on a 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder. It's driving me crazy.....

Answer by danny
Submitted on 3/30/2005
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Where is the reset switch in the 2000 Buick Regal. I do most of my own maintenance but have a problem locating this switch.

Answer by Jimmy
Submitted on 4/3/2005
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I have a 2001 Nissan Maxima, where the service soon light is on. The technician told me, I need a new Catalytic converter. I hope to replace it in a month or two. In the mean time will this cause any additional problem with the car runing with a bad converter.

Answer by ELVIS
Submitted on 4/27/2005
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MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON CAME ON AFTER I REPLACED THE AIR FILTER AND WILL NOT GO OFF. WHAT IS GOING ON?

Answer by jojo
Submitted on 5/15/2005
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my engine lite has come on since i went to inspection, the stupid guy did not tigheten my gas cap!! Try that*

Answer by adron
Submitted on 6/10/2005
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1 1996 dodge caravan eheck engine code 12 -45what does it meaneheck

Answer by donna
Submitted on 6/29/2005
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My service engine light on the 1996 chevy lumina keeps coming on after one of about 40 miles. My garage said to take it to a transmission specialist due to the code he got that said transmission related. I did this and was told that the transmission was on its way downhill. The mechanic said it was broke. I went back to the dealer i bought it from who had it checked himself by a specialist who said there was nothing wrong and cleared the code so the engine light went out. It came back on after our 1st trip back out again. What is wrong? Who should I believe? The car runs beautiful otherwise. It does not even skip as far as the transmisson goes.

Answer by 93grandprix
Submitted on 7/2/2005
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After diving on expressway at 60 or 65 mph if I have to decelerate quickly service engine light will come on and stay on. But if I drive normally and do not have to decelerate quickly but just let it decrease speed slowly the light will not come on.

Answer by arlind
Submitted on 8/4/2005
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when the service engine soon light comes you should check the car. the car can have problems with the transmission and etc.

Answer by anglu
Submitted on 9/14/2005
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Some vehicles (the one I currently drive) the service engine soon light comes on as a reminder to have regular maintenance. I JUST left the garage having the diagnostics done, and there are NO codes. Mechanic says that Dodge and Chrysler are good for that. Good Diagnostic test is around $35, worth the money to know for sure.

Answer by Laura
Submitted on 9/21/2005
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I HAVE A BUICK CENTURY. Well my check engine light came on, we took it into an autoclinic they hooked it up to a diagnostic machine and it said that the one of the plugs were blown. My boyfriends boss built the autoclinic we took it to so they said they would just charge for the part. The bill was $280 for the plug my boyfriend said it was because it is platinum. Does a platinum plug really cost that much or am i getting ripped off?Help someone

Answer by Christine C Lopez
Submitted on 10/13/2005
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I have a 1996 chevt corsica and the check engine light is on and the air bag and abs light also can you tell me what is wrong with it. it goes off and on the airbag light and abs please help me find the problem. it comes up with the code po441 it says air flow please help me.

Answer by jojo
Submitted on 10/16/2005
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yes, go to mechanic asap

Answer by Arnoldo
Submitted on 1/16/2006
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I have a Lumina Chevrolet 3.1 Lt and the Service engine soon light is come on whne I turn on the engine. I would like to know if somebody can help to define which are the possible causes.

Answer by takeabike
Submitted on 6/5/2006
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My Chrysler SE2.4 has the SES problem for more that 2 years but actually became worst: After 20 Mile drive under load (hill) the SES lights up and 1 minute later the motor get stopped ! -> analysis shows "ignition coil2" and all el. parts have been exchanged - but the problem remains. So: it must be something else ( heat!cat...) causing the error!?