Perplexed

[LarryIII]

I have an interesting problem. I drove my 97 SVX LSi to work this morning with no peoblems. I parked in the open air garage on the ground floor of the building where I work. The car has 49,000 miles on it.

Tonight when I left work I started up the car and let it warm up.
The 'Check Engine' light stayed on. I shut it off and restarted the car. The light stayed on again. I popped the hood and checked the oil. I 'd say it was about 1 quart low. I restarted the engine and let it come up to normal temperature. The engine idled as always and was very quiet as usual. When the engine was fully warmed up I shut it off and checked the oil level again. It was the same as before. The engine idled smooth as silk. I decided to go home. I drove slow in traffic and reached home. The 'Check Engine 'light stayed on the whole way. I put the car in our garage and put about 1 1/2 quarts of Mobil 1 in it. It is slightly over-full now. The light stayed on. I'm perplexed. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the engine. Could it be the sensor? Does anyone have any ideas and/or suggestions?

PS: There are no indications of any leaks and the exhaust is clean.

Did you check to see if it had any codes showing up?

I had a weird one today, i was just driving along and my check engine light blinked as i was driving but went back out in about 2 seconds b4 i could pull over to do a look over

[LarryIII]

Leslie,

Thanks for reponding. In a '97, there is no way to check the codes yourself without the code reader. It has OBD II. I have to get it to a dealership.

[Ron Mummert]

Larry old buddy. I thought most "check engine" lights on just about any vehicle had mostly to do with policing the emissions system. Granted, that could indicate a naughty sensor somewhere, but I really doubt that it cares if you're 4 quarts low. I defer to Beav now.

Ron (playin' mechanic).

[Beav]

Low fluids have no impact on the MIL (malfuncrion indicator lamp.) Transmission fluid temp does.

Some codes are serious, others are fairly benign. Check to see if you put your gas cap on firmly, that's a common slip-up that will set a code. If it's loose it may take a day or two to turn back off. If it's tight you really should have a peek at the codes.

[vzSvx]

Originally posted by LarryIII
Leslie,

Thanks for reponding. In a '97, there is no way to check the codes yourself without the code reader. It has OBD II. I have to get it to a dealership.

Larry, do you see any Auto Zone in your area? They will check it and clear it for you for FREE. I went to them one time but they can't do it to mine because I have a 92. They can't go that far down.

[LarryIII]

MT,

My dealer does it for me for free. I have a good relationship with him (I bought 4 Subys from him). Tonight I'll tighten the gas cap but it's probably a polution sensor.

Originally posted by LarryIII
MT,

My dealer does it for me for free. I have a good relationship with him (I bought 4 Subys from him). Tonight I'll tighten the gas cap but it's probably a polution sensor.

That was Viv..

[LarryIII]

Sorry Viv & Leslie,

Today is our Christmas Breakfast/Party here at work.
I guess I'm getting too old now to start drinking scotch before 7:00 in the morning.

Now I know how Ron feels.

[Aredubjay]

The C/E light usually indicates O2 sensor(s), but, have the codes checked, especially if it's free. I've been having an intermittent C/E light myself. I need to pull the code. I did, however just replace the o-ring on my dipstick. I was having the "mysterious levititating dipstick problem." The o-ring had become flat and brittle. Hopefully, it's not a PCV valve problem. That's such a b***h to get to.

[mohrds]

Originally posted by LarryIII
Sorry Viv & Leslie,

Today is our Christmas Breakfast/Party here at work.
I guess I'm getting too old now to start drinking scotch before 7:00 in the morning.

Now I know how Ron feels.

You mean you get to a point where you are too old to handle Scotch at 7:00 AM???

To quote El Presedente: "AAARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!"

[Beav]

Originally posted by Aredubjay
The C/E light usually indicates O2 sensor(s), but, have the codes checked, especially if it's free. I've been having an intermittent C/E light myself. I need to pull the code. I did, however just replace the o-ring on my dipstick. I was having the "mysterious levititating dipstick problem." The o-ring had become flat and brittle. Hopefully, it's not a PCV valve problem. That's such a b***h to get to.

Bring it on over, I'll have the PCV in and out in less than ten minutes.

[Ron Mummert]

Originally posted by Beav


Bring it on over, I'll have the PCV in and out in less than ten minutes.

No fair doin' it when you're sober!

Ron (checking boozometer)

[Aredubjay]

Originally posted by Beav


Bring it on over, I'll have the PCV in and out in less than ten minutes.

I imagine that there is a direct relationship to the type of gas that is used in the car and the C/E light? I have on two occasions used less that adequate gas for the SVX. Both times were 93 octane but from a station that is less than reputable and both times My light came on for a brief moment. I have never used that fuel again from either of the stations andf I have not had the light return??

-G