Service engine soon
The "Service engine soon" light turned on when I was coming home last night. The vehicle is a 2000 Blazer. I checked all of the gauges and they read fine, engine was running smooth, and when I checked under the hood everything "appeared" to be functioning correctly. About 2 miles down the road the light went back off and hasn't come on since. What you guys think? Just a covered censor or something more serious? I have never owned a vehicle this new before so I'm not sure why else it would come on, unless something is actually wrong. Thanks,
Jon
Jon
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Don't worry about it.
Do you know your 2000 Blazer has more sensors and computers on it then the Saturn V Rocketship that put the first men on the moon had?
My check engine soon light has been on in my truck for over 50,000 miles.0 -
You can check the codes yourself or bring it to a dealer. There is a connector socket locate below dash on left hand side that activates a flashing code that explains what the trouble is. There are all kinds of reasons the light could come on. I would be more concerned about the oil, temp gauges etc. if they read ok it's probasbly not anything serious. 0 -
Probably set that way so you take it to the shop.
Check your air filters.0 -
The most common reason that the light pops up is for a "Small Evap Leak". In other words, a loose gas cap or disfunctional gas cap. Have you gotten gas recently?
The code will clear itself.
Tighten the cap and assure it is tight every day. Allow your engine to cool all the way(such as sitting overnight, or at work all day). Drive it until it is completely warm, then let it sit until cooled all the way again.
Repeat that 3 times and it should reset itself. No, I'm not kidding.0 -
quote:Originally posted by hughbetcha
You can check the codes yourself or bring it to a dealer. There is a connector socket locate below dash on left hand side that activates a flashing code that explains what the trouble is. There are all kinds of reasons the light could come on. I would be more concerned about the oil, temp gauges etc. if they read ok it's probasbly not anything serious.
Don't know if most vehicles nowdays are like my 98 Dak or
not: but I can read codes from my odometer, and find what the code
mean on the net. To get the odometer to read code involves some
special key on/off/on ritual.0 -
quote:Originally posted by spryor
quote:Originally posted by hughbetcha
You can check the codes yourself or bring it to a dealer. There is a connector socket locate below dash on left hand side that activates a flashing code that explains what the trouble is. There are all kinds of reasons the light could come on. I would be more concerned about the oil, temp gauges etc. if they read ok it's probasbly not anything serious.
Don't know if most vehicles nowdays are like my 98 Dak or
not: but I can read codes from my odometer, and find what the code
mean on the net. To get the odometer to read code involves some
special key on/off/on ritual.
Most cases, key on acc. it will flash, look up the number it does in a chilton manual or net and you know what it is..0 -
mine was doing that and went to checking, turned out to be the filter in the air cleaner. i ha changed the big one but the little one was blocked up. the one that goes to the pcv by the oil filler. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by tomahawk
mine was doing that and went to checking, turned out to be the filter in the air cleaner. i ha changed the big one but the little one was blocked up. the one that goes to the pcv by the oil filler.
Thats what i was trying to say.0 -
Thanks fellas. I know it's definitely not the air filter cause I just changed that about a month ago(fram airhog) and I cheked that already. Could simply be the gas cap like Cubs said cause I got gas right before it came on. Not sure, but like I said all the gauges checked out okay as did the fluids, so I'm not gonna worry about it for now.
Jon0 -
Mass air flow sensor..... 0 -
I had mine keep comming on ,it was the gas tank cap.those limp wrists
in the stations don't get it tight. and sometimes the gas cap wears out and needs replacing.0 -
that light while driving has one function it is for emissions, while there may be a dozen reasons but it is all due to emissions, and without doing a diagnostic check there is no way in he11 anyone on this board could exactly diagnose it, it may be as simple as bad gas {usually bought at Casey's general store}, to the computer brain that connects all of the above parts, and many more
brain
chip in brain
mass air flow sensor
knock sensor
o2 sensor
egr valve
pcv valve
ambient temperature valve
vapor lock
these are the reasons for that light to come on, while the light may also be used for obd diagnostics for other reasons, it only comes on while driving for emissions control, run some injector cleaner through your engine, and a quality gasoline, if it reoccurs get it checked out0 -
quote:Originally posted by cubslover
The most common reason that the light pops up is for a "Small Evap Leak". In other words, a loose gas cap or disfunctional gas cap. Have you gotten gas recently?
The code will clear itself.
Tighten the cap and assure it is tight every day. Allow your engine to cool all the way(such as sitting overnight, or at work all day). Drive it until it is completely warm, then let it sit until cooled all the way again.
Repeat that 3 times and it should reset itself. No, I'm not kidding.
+1 That's one of the more common causes of an intermittent code.0 -
I bought an OBD II Autoscanner from Autozone to read check engine lights. It's universal and works on I believe 94 models on up. It's also upgradeable on the internet.
The check engine light is there to warn you of problems. Yes, many times it is something simple but what happens when there is something serious and you're still ignoring it? The scanner lets you see what it is, fix the problem, clear the code(s) and turn it off.0 -
I am going to bet its an 02 sensor. Take it somewhere have them read the code clear it out and see if it comes on again if it does fix whatever is making the light come on. 0 -
Remove and tighten the gas cap....literally! 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
that light while driving has one function it is for emissions, +1 The Feds mandated that annoying light in order for drivers to fix/repair problems with the emission control devices in their vehicles.0 -
Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers (radio mechanics) say the best fix for this problem is a small piece of electrical tape.
You cut off a piece of tape about an inch long and stick it on the dash over the check engine light.0 -
Electrical tape will help eliminate an eye sore but if you have a o2 sensor not sending the right readings you are asking for less fuel economy. 0 -
quote:Click and Clack, the Tappet brothers (radio mechanics) say the best fix for this problem is a small piece of electrical tape.
You cut off a piece of tape about an inch long and stick it on the dash over the check engine light.
[:D][:D] Not a bad idea. Gas cap was good and tight, but the light hasn't come back on since it first happened.
Jon0 -
AutoZone will usually read those codes for you for free, give it a try. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by dlrjj
AutoZone will usually read those codes for you for free, give it a try.
They will. That's what I was doing until I drove all the way down there to find it was out of service. Then I saw the newer, better one in the package hanging behind the counter. I was so ticked off I decided to buy it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jacob2008
Probably set that way so you take it to the shop.
Check your air filters.
It may very well be just that. Extended warranties have encouraged the factories to put in unavoidable visual reminders for those owners who are marginally - make that barely - conscious and awake, let alone even remotely aware of regular maintenance intervals. You'd be surprised at how clueless many owners actually are.0 -
oxygen sensor bank 2 position 2...that would be the O2 sensor at the catalytic converter. 0 -
quote:
It may very well be just that. Extended warranties have encouraged the factories to put in unavoidable visual reminders for those owners who are marginally - make that barely - conscious and awake, let alone even remotely aware of regular maintenance intervals. You'd be surprised at how clueless many owners actually are.
Too true.
I work for one of the big auto parts stores, and you would be amazed how many people have no idea what make/model of car their driving.0 -
quote:Originally posted by dcloco
Remove and tighten the gas cap....literally!
yeah, gas cap will give that warning.
Also look for a crack in the gas cap, happened to my dad's car just last fall.
He tightened the cap, light will still not go away, yet nothing seemed to be mechanically wrong. He finally went to the dealership and they found that a small fissure developed so cap would not seal and set the sensor off. Car is still under warranty so it didn't cost him anything [:D]0 -
Shop will charge you up to $75 just to hook it up to the computer. Buy a code reader for under $100 and find out what it is yourself.
If the light went back out, don't worry about it till it comes back on.0 -
Remove the bulb in the dash behind the words "Check Engine Soon."
Hasn't failed me yet...0
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