Take it to an Autozone and get the code read (for free), then let us know what it says.
As long as it is not a flashing CEL you should be OK to use the car on a limited basis.
I got back in to town last night and on the way home from the airport my check engine light came on. Does this mean - go have it checked out but it's okay to keep driving - or does this mean PARK IT and don't be driving it.
I thought maybe it just meant maybe a code was sent from the computer for a sensor or something...it seems to run fine...at least I don't notice any difference, it's not running hot or anything.
It's time for an oil change, I thought maybe if I took it in for the oil change that might clear out the code....
Probably pretty stupid things to the asking and assuming....but any words of wisdom from the most knowledgeable (you guys here) would be appreciated.
Cara
Take it to an Autozone and get the code read (for free), then let us know what it says.
As long as it is not a flashing CEL you should be OK to use the car on a limited basis.
Needing an oil change wouldn't turn on the CEL...
Usually, a constant on CEL means take it in soon.. if the light starts blinking (on it's own) that's usually the STOP NOW AND GET IT FIXED thing.
So, run it by Autozone and get them to pull the code and we can help you trace it down from there... I don't remember what year your car is, but it could be as simple as a leaking gas cap.
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Dave"Opinions are like ..."
Maybe 4 wheels aren't so bad after all... wickett.org
It only goes to show when people can no longer discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, or sexual orientation, they can improvise and still find someone to hate. - Dave Moulton
Actually - it came on right after I filled up with gas. There is a "gas war" near Love Field and the Quik Trip has it for 3.69 a gallon and that's where I filled up...then noticed the light came on.
Which Autozone? I'm off this afternoon and would be able to go by there right away...and thanks :)
My car is a '99 AE, just had the 60k scheduled maintenance a couple months back...has about 72k on it now.
Great....and THANKS! I'm heading straight there at 12. Less than a mile down the road from me!
He sold me a bottle of RxP - he also said to check the gas cap. Going to add the RxP and go get my oil changed....
Sorry for such a big picture.
Probably a bad EGR valve... cheap fix...
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Dave"Opinions are like ..."
So can you fix it and how much will it cost? :)
(((TCB)))
The light is still on. I added the RxP (the guy at Valvoline said that I shouldn't have used that stuff that it is bad for my car *sigh*). I tightened the gas cap 4 clicks. I drove it around a little bit...will the light go off when the problem is resolved or does the computer have to be reset?
Before ya get a quote from a guy who doesn't even own a Miata (Dave04 has an S2000) ya may want to contact - http://www.miatasolutions.com/
Also I wouldn't put a lot of stock into something a lube change monkey tells ya.
EGR issues are not a rare occurrence on a '99 - '00 Miata
And yes if the problem is resolved the CPU will shut off the light, this can sometime take a few drive cycles to before it clears.
My car is a '99 as well, with about 195K miles. When mine threw that code, I just pulled off the EGR tube and top half of the intake manifold and cleaned the EGR path. Zero cost in new parts, a few bucks worth of carb cleaner, about an our of work with an old bent hanger, reset the codes, and a couple of brews afterward made for a cheap fix. It's been discussed more than once on miata.net, and appears to be a semi-common problem and fix if I remember correctly.
Mike Walsted - Not an expert, just a data point.
1999 Miata
2003 MIata
1999 Miata
2001 Kia Rio
Maybe 4 wheels aren't so bad after all... wickett.org
It only goes to show when people can no longer discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, or sexual orientation, they can improvise and still find someone to hate. - Dave Moulton