'Service engine soon' light on 2001 Sentra... car experts?

[MelchyBeau]

Autozone will read your computer for free. Take advantage of this.

Melch

[Ray Zee]

a place with a code reader can give you and idea what it is. i would use the black electrical tape over the light until it burns out in a few years. try the gas cap but remember it takes up to ten restarts and trips with some cars for it to reset correctly on its own after its fixed.

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remember it takes up to ten restarts and trips with some cars for it to reset correctly on its own after its fixed.

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This is true, however as an alternative you can disconnect your battery for about half an hour, that should reset all the error codes. Actually I recommend you do that anyways, just to see if if pops back up, or the warning goes away.

Just so you know you're probably gonna lose stuff like your radio presets, etc.

[TheBlueMonster]

My parents have a Subaru Outback. The 'check engine' light came on. I asked him what he was going to do about the warning light and he said "put a piece of black tape over it...."

[PokerGoblin]

I haven't seen so much bad advice from unqualified people in quite a while. Ignore a check engine on a late model car... brilliant suggestion guys.

When the S.E.S. light comes on, it means something is not right with the engine/drivetrain and it needs to be addressed by a professional. The kids that work at AutoZone are not professionals. They MIGHT be able to scan it and read the code, but they won't be able to tell what triggered it. They are just trying to sell parts.

It is possible the gas cap is loose. Modern cars have prssure sensors inside the gas tank and the fluctuations in pressure caused by having a loose cap triggers a code in the computer and the light comes on.

Keep in mind, tightening the gas cap if it is loose will not make the light go out. All cars 1996 and newer are equipped with a OBD2 PCM system, which means in most cases the dash warning light does not go out even if the problem is solved. It is designed to come on and stay on. Special scanners are required to make the light go out.

There are about 150 different engine and drivetrain systems that are monitored by the on board diagnostics computer. A lot of the codes are harmless, but the only way to find out is to have it scanned. Since you just bought it I assume you have some kind of temporary warranty, take it back there and have them check it out.

Cars build prior to 1996 are equipped w/ OBD1 systems and the light will only come on while the problem is occuring.

PG

[Dr. Strangelove]

I have a '97 ford escort. The service engine soon light has been on for a couple years. It seems ok.

[wacki]

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Close the gas cap and make sure you get a decent tank of gas next time you fill up.

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Hey, I just defended by saying you were not being a retard. What's up with the stupid posts?

[PokerGoblin]

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I have a '97 ford escort. The service engine soon light has been on for a couple years. It seems ok.

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It probably is then. All I am saying is that SES lights are nothing to be taken lightly until you know for sure why it is on.

[TheBlueMonster]

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I haven't seen so much bad advice from unqualified people in quite a while. Ignore a check engine on a late model car... brilliant suggestion guys.

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