Check engine light! What to do?

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Apr 27, 2005 | 11:12 PM

PaPaChoc

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Racer

Joined: Nov 2004

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Check engine light! What to do?

Last night on my way home from work the check engine light came on! Every thing looks good as far as the other gages and it doesn’t seem to affect my mileage.
My question is, I’m working 12 hr a day till Sunday and can’t get it to the dealer to check it out. It will be Monday before I can get off. Do you guys think it will be OK to keep driving it? It’s 20 miles one way to work and I can’t depend on catching a ride.
Give me you’re thoughts.
Thanks

PS My wife want drive it so that is not an option!

Apr 27, 2005 | 11:38 PM

vettecop1125

Le Mans Master

Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Noblesville Indiana

CI 7-8 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05

It'll sound silly, but make sure your gas cap is on nice and tight. Last year my light came on and a member (Patches, I think) suggested that I unscrew my gas cap, then put it on and make sure it clicks 5-6 times. Well, I tried it and it worked. It's been almost a year now and my light hasn't come on again.

Apr 28, 2005 | 12:36 AM

GrayC5

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 12,346

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From: Mustang OK

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettecop1125

A gas cap that has been improperly installed or a cap with a bad seal can cause the Check Engine Light to display. (When installing the gas cap, I turn mine until it clicks 3 times.) In case of a bad seal, the cap will need to be replaced.

A steady Check Engine Light is very likely an indication of an emission control system malfunction (possibly due to the gas cap). A flashing Check Engine Light may indicate a misfire or more serious problem. I would recommend that you read that portion of your Owner's Manual concerning the Check Engine Light, especially the sections about If the Light Is Flashing and If the Light Is On Steady. (This should be covered in Section 3, Instrument Panel under Warning Lights, Gages, and indicators in your manual or you can also check your manual's index for the specific page number.) Hopefully reading these sections along with checking your car's trouble codes will give you a clearer indication as to your problem.

The following site tells how to access the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and gives the codes specific to each model year: Computer Codes For 1981 - 2003 Corvettes.

Good luck with the fix.

Last edited by GrayC5; Apr 28, 2005 at 02:20 AM.

Apr 28, 2005 | 05:02 AM

talon90

Team Owner

Joined: Aug 2002

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Tech Contributor

Cruise-In 11 Veteran

NCM Ambassador

St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaPaChoc

Check the codes and report back what you find. It will make a difference in the opinions as to if you should keep on drivin'. It's likely something simple like the gas cap or a blip in one of the oxygen sensors. These cars are super sensitive.

On the DIC Press and hold the Option button while pressing the fuel button 4 times and be ready to write down what comes up. Pay particular attention to the PCM section and I bet you will have a "P1416H or HC" This is the likely cause of the light if you do. To clear the light just press and hold the reset button while in this mode. Let us know what you find.

Paul

Apr 28, 2005 | 07:33 AM

PaPaChoc

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Racer

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Well, this is going to really sound silly but I had gotten about 4 miles from my house and the light goes OFF! WTH?

Thanks Guys, got to go to a meeting!

Apr 28, 2005 | 07:36 AM

AFVETTE

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 20,054

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From: Swansea IL

First check your gas cap then clear the codes and then monitor to see if it re-appears. Use these instructions: http://www.stengel.net/diccodes.htm

This happened to me a few weeks ago, after I cleared the codes, and checked my gas cap it hasn't re-appeared.

Tom

Apr 28, 2005 | 08:29 AM

Wicked Weasel

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 24,652

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From: NJ

St. Jude Donor '05-'08

I would check the codes and go from there. If you have an aftermarket air intake you might be running lean and have to check the connections.

Apr 28, 2005 | 08:48 AM

Wild BillD

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Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 75

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From: Topsham Maine

Been there too!

Same thing happened to me. I'd changed gas stations and after filling up I got the light. A few miles later it cleared. Repeated on the next fillup and shortly went away again. Has never come up since. Owners manual indicates that this is normal if changing brands of gas.