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Saturn Master
17,989 Answers
- Posted on Jun 25, 2010
Re: Service engine soon light staying on
The "check engine" light is part of your
car's so-called onboard diagnostics (OBD) system.
If the check-engine light comes on,
here are some tips on what you should do:
- Look for a serious problem that requires
immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for
indications of low
oil pressure or overheating. These
conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as
you can find a
safe place to do so. On some cars, a
yellow "check engine" means investigate the problem, while a red "check
engine" means
stop right now.
- Try tightening your gas cap. This often
solves the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before
the light resets.
Some vehicles have a separate indicator
that warns of a loose gas cap before the condition sets off the "check
engine" light.
- Reduce speed and load. If the "check
engine" light is blinking or you notice any serious performance
problems, such as a loss
of power, reduce your speed and try to
reduce the load on the engine. For example, it would be a good idea to
stop towing
a trailer. Have the car checked as soon as
possible to prevent expensive damage.
- Contact OnStar, if available. If you have
a 1997 or later General Motors vehicle equipped with OnStar and an
active OnStar
subscription, contact an advisor who can
read the trouble code remotely and advise you about what to do.
- Have the code read and the problem fixed.
If you want to diagnose the malfunction yourself, you can buy a scan
tool at most
auto parts stores. Prices range from about
$40 to several hundred, depending on the model and the features. The
tools come
with instructions on how to hook them up
and decipher the codes. But unless you have a good knowledge of
automotive diagnostics,
you're probably better off taking the
vehicle to a professional. Some automotive parts stores will read and
interpret the
code for you without charge. Unless there
is an easy fix, they may simply refer you to a mechanic.
- Don't go for a state emissions test. In a
late-model car, an illuminated "check engine" light probably is a sure
sign your
car will fail the test. In some states,
it's an automatic failure, even if the problem was nothing more than a
loose gas cap.
By the way, don't bother trying to fool
the inspection station by disconnecting the battery or using any other
method to erase
the trouble code and turn off the "check
engine" light. Your vehicle's computer will let the inspection station
know that
its codes have been erased, and you'll
just have to go back again.
Hope helps.
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