Check Engine Light

[foregn2]

What causes this light to come on and what does this mean other than check engine.

 

[Lee_Burough]

To me, the check engine light signals a condition where the ECM has recorded one or more parameters outside the designed limits.

It means I need to hook up a scan tool, read the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and fix the cause of the malfunction in order to return the engine to designed parameters.

Sometimes its a straight forward, easy task, sometimes its not.

A "NON-SCAN" method can be used to read these codes also.

 

[foregn2]

To me, the check engine light signals a condition where the ECM has recorded one or more parameters outside the designed limits.

It means I need to hook up a scan tool, read the Diagnostic Trouble Codes and fix the cause of the malfunction in order to return the engine to designed parameters.

Sometimes its a straight forward, easy task, sometimes its not.

A "NON-SCAN" method can be used to read these codes also.

Thanks

 

[1quick6]

If you aren't comfortable with the non-scan tool method, you can go to your local Advance Autoparts store. They have a loan-a-tool service and a code scanner is part of that. I had to take my wife's 2002 Regal GS there for a SES light. They read the code for free and the MAF sensor fixed the problem.

Other auto parts stores might do this. I am not sure if Advance Auto is in your town or not.