Possible reasons for check engine light to come on?

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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Originally Posted by Dave04

I don't remember what year your car is, but it could be as simple as a leaking gas cap.

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Careful... Don't forget what happened the last time people started guessing about CELs without the codes... Thor got very angry!

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

Thor got very angry!

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And we don't like it when Thor gets angry...

http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465...n?size=404x272

I'd take it to Autozone and ask for Thor ;)

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.

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Originally Posted by cArAzzIE

Which Autozone? I'm off this afternoon and would be able to go by there right away...and thanks :)

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Any Autozone can read the codes for you.

Great....and THANKS! I'm heading straight there at 12. Less than a mile down the road from me!

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Originally Posted by cArAzzIE

Actually - it came on right after I filled up with gas.

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A loose gas cap will cause a CEL. Make sure you tighten the cap to three clicks.

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Originally Posted by black roadster

A loose gas cap will cause a CEL. Make sure you tighten the cap to three clicks.

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Yup! Check it first........

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ozonemiata.jpg

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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Originally Posted by Dave04

Probably a bad EGR valve... cheap fix...

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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?

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Originally Posted by Dave04

Probably a bad EGR valve... cheap fix...

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Originally Posted by cArAzzIE

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?

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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.

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Originally Posted by POS Racing

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/ ;)

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Yeah... just because Honda's are made better than Miata's and don't have these nagging problems... :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Dave04

Yeah... just because Honda's are made better than Miata's and don't have these nagging problems... :rolleyes:

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No reason to scare the young lady.

Plus figured you wouldn't really have any valid information to add since you never had a '99-'00 Miata, just amp down a touch before you over-rev yourself princess. ;)

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.

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Originally Posted by Dave04

Yeah... just because Honda's are made better than Miata's and don't have these nagging problems... :rolleyes:

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Tell us more about that clicking sound your stook was making last month...

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

Tell us more about that clicking sound your stook was making last month...

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I'm sure it was nothing more than a rock stuck the tread of the new tires... ::Censor::