Topic: Auto Tech: Check-engine lights

[Autos_Editor]

The Check-engine light comes on when a problem fails the on-board diagnostic tests twice and causes vehicle emissions to be excessive, says Technical Editor, Jim Kerr.  You should take your car to the repair shop for diagnosis, he advises.

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[Cory X]

For some cars if it runs fine and you dont notice any missing/stalling/loss of performance,unplug your battery for 5-10 minutes,if the light goes off and never returns..problem solved..if it comes back,replace gas cap,(cheapest thing  to do) Then depending on mileage,tune-up or else take it in if you are not mechanically inclined to do so..

My 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7 L check engine light came on,it was the gas cap !! 285,000 original km,only non normal wear problem ever ...gas cap... now that is what I call reliable !! Gas cap,brake pads,tires,oil,gas..about 1,000 washes 200 polish jobs and 2000 litres of armor all...and it still looks/runs/drives like new !!

[johngenx]

The CEL in the Subaru has been on for about 18 months.  It's the heater element in the rear O2 sensor, and it has no effect on the operation of the car whatsoever.  I have my own code reader, so I just scan it once in a while to see if that's still the only code.

[wing]

John, changes are your O2 sensor is physically broken if the heater core died in the O2 that is what happened to mine.  This could indicate a failing cat as well, as pieces of it are flying into the O2 causing the breakage.

[johngenx]

Yeah, the O2 sensor is probably dead, and the cat might be on it's way out too, but I won't really repair either item.  I could figure out how to retrofit the $40 generic sensor (instead of paying $400 at the local Scoob dealer) but I'm too lazy to do all that.  If the cat is gone, the dealer has marked up the $1099 MSRP to $2799, so f-ck them on that one.  I can find it online for $600, but forget that too.  I'll cut it out and weld in some exhaust pipe, pull the CEL bulb out and ditch the O2 sensor completely. 

Nice not having to e-test in Alberta, otherwise it could be a seriously expensive repair.  Subaru cats aren't all that reliable, and lots of schlubs I know paid the stupid dealer  (That would be SUBARU CITY in Edmonton, be careful as they 2X-3X most of their parts!!) a ton of money for exhaust repairs.

[wing]

Lucky you!  Generic cats are in the $150-$200 range and can be welded in, $3k is retarded.