ANSWERS: 8
  • You're fine...for now. "Check Engine" means "Check Engine Sensor." Modern engines use over 12 sensors that continually send data to the microprocessor. This keeps your engine running at peak efficiency at all speeds with as little smog emissions as possible. When a sensor fails, the Check Engine light comes on. You're engine should still run alright, but eventually you'll want the engine diagnosed and the sensor replaced. Over too long a period, you "could" cause engine damage should you keep driving with the dash light registering. How long is too long depends on which sensor is failing and what kind of car you are driving. Most likely, though, you won't pass your next smog inspection until you get it taken care of.
  • Take it in to a mechanic, not necessarily your dealer. Most mechanics have universal code readers and they'll be able to diagnose the engine malfunction in question, and recommend a course of action. Also, if you have the factory service manual (not the owner's manual), it will have instructions on getting the car to display the code (most often through a series of flashing blips), as well as an explanation of what the code itself means. Of course it helps to go to several mechanics and get multiple opinions before you have any work done.
  • According to the owner's manual for my 2001 Volvo S40 the "check engine" light comes on when an "emissions related" problem is sensed. Well, gee, that could be any number of things. Mine came on recently, the car seemed to be running a fine, but had developed a bad oil leak. What caused the light to come on in this particular case was the turbocharger had gone bad and needed to be replaced. Which was indeed an urgent matter because the car was losing a lot of oil which is never a good thing. Best course of action is to take the vehicle to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis as soon as possible. It may or may not be an urgent matter, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Funny, the day I took the car in the light did not come on. Go figure! Updated: I am so tired of seeing this light on this car. :) Have seen it twice since original answer was given: the ignition coils set it off and then the thermostat. The ignition coils did not keep the light on constantly, just at the points when the car would "stutter" badly. As always though, jervinator is correct.
  • My 2005 Honda Civic manual says that if the engine indicator warning light comes on, it is a sensor. It also warns to get it checked ASAP as any engine damage will void the warranty & you may experience damage if you continue to drive for a long distance before checking. So I would have to agree, it is a sensor. Which sensor is the real question.
  • Sometimes shutting the car off and then turning it back on "resets" the computer (temporary fix) Lights are bothersome, but depending on the state you live (and drive) in, may not cause any catastrophic damage to anything but other people's lungs. (cough, cough)
  • Take off your gas cap and put it back on securely. See of the light goes off.
  • USING YOUR OWN OBDII SCANNER: Expanding here on some other posts: if you can use OBDII (most cars since 1996), by all means get a live-data scanner (about $67 online) so you can tell what code it is. Also, some types of repairs don't result automatically in the code disappearing, some codes have to be erased using the scanner, after the repair. So you can use it to turn off the CEL after some successful DYI repairs that still need the scanner to clear the code (or any mechanic repairs where they did not turn off the CEL with the scanner when needed). Turning off the CEL yourself after a defective repair does not leave you unprotected, if there is a problem the CEL and scanner code will soon return. CAR-RIGGING TO IMPROVE SAFETY OVER OEM DESIGN: You may be interested in this improvement, so I hope someone will answer this question: I'm looking for a kit, for cars running OBDII, to add auditory warning when the CEL comes on, or even better, when any of the dashboard light signals come on. I've been told that if the serpentine belt comes off, the battery light should come on immediately, but you need to keep your eyes on the road, when driving, not on the dashboard... Does anyone know the best type of shop to get such a modification done, and if such rigging kits are available?
  • Disconect your battery ground that resets your computer.The light should stay off.

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