Check engine light ????

Boy has a 1996 buick LeSabre: He is away at college and it would take some time for dad to get out there. For two days now this symbol comes up on his dash:

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/2033/pic7mr.png

Now I have a 93 PA and I do NOT have this symbol ? Did this symbol replace the words "Check Engine" Is that the Check engine symbol ?

Second question: I know on some cars you can jump certain plugs to pull the codes off of the car, can you do this with the 96 LeSabre and if so how do you do it ?

thanks

Cobra

Yep, that is a check engine light! On a 96 you need a scanner to retrive the codes. Tell him to take it to an Auto Zone and have it done for free.

Boy has a 1996 buick LeSabre: He is away at college and it would take some time for dad to get out there. For two days now this symbol comes up on his dash:

Now I have a 93 PA and I do NOT have this symbol ? Did this symbol replace the words "Check Engine" Is that the Check engine symbol ?


Cobra

If it's on steady that means it's a pollution control-related problem. Check the gas cap and be sure that it's on tight. If it was on, check the rubber ring around it to be sure it's rubbery--put some petroleum jelly on it to liven it back up.

Put the cap on. Sometime when the car is lukewarm and it restarted the system will pressure test the tank again and see how fast it bleeds down. If it doesn't leak too fast, the light will go off.

On my 98 this came on and it turned out to be a rubber tube to the charcoal canister under the computer under the air intake in the engine compartment. The dealer found it. The end of the tube had "rotted" away. $44.

If it's on steady that means it's a pollution control-related problem. Check the gas cap and be sure that it's on tight. If it was on, check the rubber ring around it to be sure it's rubbery--put some petroleum jelly on it to liven it back up.

Put the cap on. Sometime when the car is lukewarm and it restarted the system will pressure test the tank again and see how fast it bleeds down. If it doesn't leak too fast, the light will go off.

On my 98 this came on and it turned out to be a rubber tube to the charcoal canister under the computer under the air intake in the engine compartment. The dealer found it. The end of the tube had "rotted" away. $44.

Well it was NOT the gas cap !

light still on

Well it was NOT the gas cap !

light still on

As HotZ had mentioned, you'll have to get the code read. Otherwise, it's just guessing. Taking it to Autozone would be the best solution at this point.

It ended up being a guumy EGR valve. Mechanic cleaned it out and check engine light is off. Don't know for how long but it's off.

thanks