Woody wrote:No, I checked the gas cap b/c that used to happen to my old Jetta all the time (I think the check engine light was on 40% of the time I owned the car). Who the heck knows, I'll have to make an appointment I guess

In my pickup, if I don't tighten the gas cap, or if I run it too low on gas, the light will come on, but it has to be reset once it's corrected. You can either do that with the scanner tool, or just disconnect the battery for a minute. Before you disconnect the battery, though, make sure you don't have some sort of anti-theft device on your stereo, otherwise it may not work when you reconnect.

If you have a regular mechanic, though, you can probably just stop by and ask them to scan it for you. It takes like two minutes, and they'll usually do it for free. Or you can buy the scanner for like $50, and look up what the code means in a Chilton book, or online.

If I were you, and had any reason to believe it was related to the gas cap or something silly like that, I'd try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, and see if it comes back on. I'm really cheap when it comes to that sort of thing.

The check engine light came on in my '97 626 within the first week I bought it (used, in 2000). Fortunately, there was a 100% warranty during that first week so they fixed it for free (replaced catalytic converter). About a year later, it came on again, and it has been on more than it's been off since then. It's a pain in the ass because garages won't do the emissions inspection if the light is on, even though in my case it passes the emissions test with flying colors regardless.

jerseyhoya wrote:

mpmcgraw wrote:diet coke is worse for you than regular coke and disgusting in general.

PtK?

Aamco will diagnose your check engine light for free- (according to Ron Jaworski's commercials anyway).

There's a prof. at my university who has the last name of Phan. I don't think he really is though.

phatj wrote:The check engine light came on in my '97 626 within the first week I bought it (used, in 2000). Fortunately, there was a 100% warranty during that first week so they fixed it for free (replaced catalytic converter). About a year later, it came on again, and it has been on more than it's been off since then. It's a pain in the ass because garages won't do the emissions inspection if the light is on, even though in my case it passes the emissions test with flying colors regardless.

There is probably a fuse that you could remove to "turn off" the warning light. Assuming no major car systems are also controlled by the fuse and/or the fuse is necessary to pass the test, you could probably just remove it before taking the test and replace afterward.

You can use an OBDII reader to check the code and turn of the indicator (if only temporarily). Swing by and you can borrow mine.

I filled up the car after work today and now the light is off... :?

Oh, so you have one of those 'check engine' lights with the little gas pump icon on it....you didn't say that.....

Is it bad that I recognize the game show host from I Survived a Japanese Game Show from a real Japanese game show? (Unbeatable Banzuke)

Wish I realized how easy it is to cook bacon years ago.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:Wish I realized how easy it is to cook bacon years ago.

Just think how less clogged your arteries are

Is it that bad, because adding two slices to my two eggs every morning is sounding pretty doable.

The eggs are probably worse for your arteries than bacon is. I think.

GODDAMMIT I thought eggs were good

Egg whites are fine, it's the yolks

DON'T MAKE ME SAY IT

STOP ME NOW

SAY IT

....and the yolks around here are pretty lame!