Check Engine Light
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
Check Engine Light
I know there has been a lot of discussion about The Check Engine Light. I've even done some search here on it. I guess the most common reason would be The Gas Cap it seems. Anybody got or had The Check Engine Light come on and what was the problem? I know there are many reasons for The Check Engine Light but I'm trying to find out the most common reasons. What say you. I'm gong to start this thread in the C6 Z06 Corvette also.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
Acct Suspended 31 OCT 2025 by request
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Hello i had the CEL about two years ago. It gave codes P0172 and P0175. I replaced the gas cap with no luck. Placed a new air mass meter, this solved the problem for a month or so. But when it showed up again it looked like it came up after bumps in the road. I secured the connector to the air mass meter and wiring with a tire wrap to the AMM housing so it couldn't move anymore and the CEL hasn't shown up since. That was about one and a half year ago.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
I agree with get it checked but, there has to be a most common (happens more often than any other) reason it happens. Even the owners manual don't treat the Check Engine Light on steady as too serious.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Houston, Dallas, Hong Kong, Elgin, etc.. Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 752
Likes: 28
From: Ottawa, Ontario
There are something like 160+ variables that OBII monitors. As such, there are a lot of different things that can cause the CEL to come on. As already said, the best thing you can do is read the codes, then there is no guess work. You can buy an OBII code reader for under $100 this days.....I always carry one in my car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
Yes, I do need a code reader. I have been shopping around on the Internet today and find many models from about $30 on up. Who makes the best code reader for the money and then who makes just the best?
Acct Suspended 31 OCT 2025 by request
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Just buy a obd2 scanner on ebay This will tell you the code and this link will show the possible codes, it's obvious there is not one common fault to set off the cel.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,406
Likes: 197
From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
Several years ago I had a CEL because of the gas cap. Been fine since.
If your looking for a scanner Amazon is an excellent source. I wouldn't really say one particular scanner is better then the rest. You just need to decide what features you want. I went with a basic scanner that reads, clears codes, and shows completed emissions tests. I'm also playing around with a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the OBDII port. With that I can use my Android phone to take care of codes as well as monitor other data.
If your looking for a scanner Amazon is an excellent source. I wouldn't really say one particular scanner is better then the rest. You just need to decide what features you want. I went with a basic scanner that reads, clears codes, and shows completed emissions tests. I'm also playing around with a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the OBDII port. With that I can use my Android phone to take care of codes as well as monitor other data.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
Just buy a obd2 scanner on ebay This will tell you the code and this link will show the possible codes, it's obvious there is not one common fault to set off the cel.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OBD-II_PIDs
But, it's not obvious to me that there is not one common fault to set off the check engine light. I know there are many, many things that can trigger the check engine light. However if one was to list all the faults and the number of times that fault has been triggered there has to be one that is triggered the most. There might be a close second etc., but one fault has to win or do you think there would be a tie for the lead fault?
My new obd2 reader should be here in 2 days and then I'll know which one is at the top of my list anyway.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
Several years ago I had a CEL because of the gas cap. Been fine since.
If your looking for a scanner Amazon is an excellent source. I wouldn't really say one particular scanner is better then the rest. You just need to decide what features you want. I went with a basic scanner that reads, clears codes, and shows completed emissions tests. I'm also playing around with a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the OBDII port. With that I can use my Android phone to take care of codes as well as monitor other data.
If your looking for a scanner Amazon is an excellent source. I wouldn't really say one particular scanner is better then the rest. You just need to decide what features you want. I went with a basic scanner that reads, clears codes, and shows completed emissions tests. I'm also playing around with a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the OBDII port. With that I can use my Android phone to take care of codes as well as monitor other data.
I went ahead an ordered an Equus 3130 Innova Diagnostic Code Scanner on Amazon last night. Should be here in a couple days.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
Just because, let's say a gas cap light, is the most common, that doesn't mean that's what YOUR light is from. If you're checking it anyway, the most common doesn't really matter. Research just for the sake of research?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,088
Likes: 0
From: Troutville Virginia USA1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 195
From: On the east coast we drive until we die
I agree, but no body said my problem would be the most common. I have a scanner on the way to find out actual problem. I was just curious about what the most common would be. Why are you flying off the handle because I was curious. I would still like to know what the most common problem is. I started this thread to research what the most common problem was, not to debate if it mattered or not. Just curious!
Good luck with your search
