Check Engine?

[Immortalfire]

Despite all my mighty mod powers, I am a complete dunce when it comes to cars.

For the first time in almost 10 years of ownership, the check engine light has come on in my vehicle. I haven't a clue what to do about it, because in all truthfulness I have never had to use a mechanic. Never. I have maintained it well, and it has never had a problem.

So, good people of the Hype, to whom or where do I take it?

 

[terry78]

If it's not showing any visible signs, it could be anything from the gas cap being loose to something in the engine being loose. You can take it to an Autozone or similar place and they can put it on their diagnostics and it can tell you.

 

[Immortalfire]

Thank you Terence.

 

[Lily Adler]

Summer time is when all car problems seem to come out...

 

[Schlosser85]

Ah, the anxiety-inducing, oh-so-mysterious Check Engine Light that can mean a hundred different things.

 

[Erzengel]

You might need more plutonium for your flux capacitor.

 

[Immortalfire]

It was a simple sensor glitch, it was easily fixed.

 

[terry78]

Figured that.

 

[Lighthouse]

Yeah, most of the check engine lights I've seen end up being something with a sensor.

 

[Marvolo]

Despite all my mighty mod powers, I am a complete dunce when it comes to cars.

For the first time in almost 10 years of ownership, the check engine light has come on in my vehicle. I haven't a clue what to do about it, because in all truthfulness I have never had to use a mechanic. Never. I have maintained it well, and it has never had a problem.

So, good people of the Hype, to whom or where do I take it?

Any auto parts store will scan it and give you the fault code free of charge. And depending on the make and model of your vehicle, they can clear the code for you which turns the light off. They cant guarantee it will stay off. My 2007 GTI needs a Volkswagen Audio Group code reader to properly diagnose and clear the codes.

Check engine lights are notoriously whiney SOBs. They can be set off by minor things like dirt on a sensor. Which is the sort of thing that will clear itself up and usually wont cause the light to come back on. They can be set off by bad spark plugs. Weak battery. And other typical things that are easily fixed with some routine engine maintenance. If it's a major problem you'll know it because your check engine light wont be the only indication. If your car isnt losing power, idling funny, missing, overheating, not starting, burning oil (youd smell that) smoking or something else obvious you've probably not got a serious problem.

 

[spiderman2]

If it's not showing any visible signs, it could be anything from the gas cap being loose to something in the engine being loose. You can take it to an Autozone or similar place and they can put it on their diagnostics and it can tell you.

lol I have had my come on like 10 times and the first few times I had it checked out it turned out to be like gas cap thing. So now I dont even have it checked has they charge you for it. I dont get why it happends all the time for that. Its annoying because I am always worried that it might be something more server at some point in time. I even got a new gas cap and still happends all the time.

 

[gaffer]

I experienced the same thing on my Wrangler TJ. Went to a local jeep aftermarket parts shop since they have a scanner but they got no codes. My rig runs fine and no problem with the gas gap. The guy in the shop disconnected the battery for 15 mins. After reconnecting it, no more check engine light.

 

[terry78]

I may have to do that, I just got two flex pipes replaced and mine still pops on occasionally. I have a scan tool and shut it off but after a while it's back.

 

[tzarinna]

I had a coworker that was charged for the check engine diagnostic by here mechanic, and it was a hefty fee. I was flabbergasted. I told her you could get it done for free, she wasn't even phased or inquire as to where such a wonderful place existed. SMH. Womenfolk.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Shell gas will put it on for my cars every time. Seen it happen to multiple cars and from multiple Shell stations. Bottom line, Shell sucks!