Check Engine Light
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Check Engine Light
59,761 miles and the "check engine" light just appeared. I was moving her from the driveway to the garage for good night sleep and the check engine light appeared. Oil level is fine, never abused, never overheated. Is this just the warning that I am due for the 60,000 mile service? Any ideas before I take her in for a service?
Cap'n Insane the Engorged
Lifetime Rennlist
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Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 11
From: Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Sometimes it can be something as simple as a loose gas cap or oil filler cap. Try those first, disconnect the battery for two minutes ( make sure you have your radio codes ) then restart it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 3
From: CURRENT: Audi TT / Audi A3
dwccfp,
I'm thinking that you might be able to put your mind at ease by consulting the owner's manual, and seeing what conditions can cause the "check engine" light to activate. These things certainly make us nervous, but keep in mind that a yellow warning light is typically not as serious as a red warning light (which often means that you should stop driving your car immediately).
Good luck!
I'm thinking that you might be able to put your mind at ease by consulting the owner's manual, and seeing what conditions can cause the "check engine" light to activate. These things certainly make us nervous, but keep in mind that a yellow warning light is typically not as serious as a red warning light (which often means that you should stop driving your car immediately).
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
Thanks Rennlisters, Took advise from Rob in WA. First checked the fuel/oil caps, no luck. Disconnected the battery for two minutes, reconnected and................ no check engine light!!! Thanks VGM911 for the info with the yellow/red issue, trust me I was nervous. If it appears again cdodkin I will check it out at the Autozone, although I will be in for service in the next 300 miles.
Thanks to all.
dwccfp
Thanks to all.
dwccfp
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,444
Likes: 8
From: Another Ex pat Brit in SoCal
I'm about to spring for one of the OBD II meters from Harbor Freight, just so that I can have my own fault code trapping equipment on hand for the 996 and other cars.
I have an occasional CEL code pop up on my 986, which is non critical (fuel filler purge valve), and I need to reset it when it pops up every few months.
Worth the few bucks that they charge at HF, and it'll come in handy for other vehicles I'm sure.
Might be worth a look for you too.
I have an occasional CEL code pop up on my 986, which is non critical (fuel filler purge valve), and I need to reset it when it pops up every few months.
Worth the few bucks that they charge at HF, and it'll come in handy for other vehicles I'm sure.
Might be worth a look for you too.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: NYC & CT
were you moving the car when the engine was still cold? that's happened to me before (not on my p-car) when i started the car to move it and then turned it off quickly thereafter. i was told by my mechanic prolly due to unburned fuel or something. CEL went away shortly after that.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 181
Likes: 38
From: CONNECTICUT
i agree, you can go to any autozone and get OBDII reader for 50 -100 bucks or buy online a nice one with all the bells and whistles for under 200, really a must have for all 95 or later cars,
codes are easily pulled and turns the CEL off,
A must have for anyone with or without car experiance for so cheap,
codes are easily pulled and turns the CEL off,
A must have for anyone with or without car experiance for so cheap,
Race Car
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,861
Likes: 91
Originally Posted by C4CRNA
Everone should have a cheap code reader. Saves a trip to the dealer. Look up the code, decide if it's a fluke, erase it if you want and you are on your way!!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 10
From: Houston, TEXAS!
Originally Posted by dwccfp
Thanks Rennlisters, Took advise from Rob in WA. First checked the fuel/oil caps, no luck. Disconnected the battery for two minutes, reconnected and................ no check engine light!!! Thanks VGM911 for the info with the yellow/red issue, trust me I was nervous. If it appears again cdodkin I will check it out at the Autozone, although I will be in for service in the next 300 miles.
Thanks to all.
dwccfp
Thanks to all.
dwccfp
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 3
From: CURRENT: Audi TT / Audi A3
Originally Posted by blk on blk
Not to scre you or anything, but just because it went away does not mean the problem is corrected. I had CEL issues and ended up with a new engine. Yes that is extreme, but my experience is do not mess around with this if you have eliminated the basic things like gas cap, etc as possibilities. You may have a misfire of a cylinder, may have who know what. Get it checked out.
Moral to the story: As blk on blk said, get it checked out.
