Engine Light

My engine light came on today and I ran the code by hitting the key 3 times and code 12 came up. I read that it means .....Problem with stand-by memory circuit. Direct battery input to controller disconnected within the last 50 ignition key-ons.... is this serious and what does it need to be fixed?

Thank you,

Anybody?

That really depends on whether you had a dead battery in the car or the battery was disconnected for servicing recently, but I don't think that condition would trigger the check engine light, if there is an actual problem with the battery feed to the PCM than any other codes it is storing will never show because it's constantly being cleared. Because you didn't mention the year of your Intrepid, if it's a 96 and later model, the car is OBD-II and there are many more codes than what may show up using the ignition on-off method and should be read with a code scanner. If it's 93-95 model then there has to be some other code your missing other than 12 and 55 as those codes will not give you a check engine light.

AW,

It is a 1996 Intrepid and usually when the light is on it codes in as the EGR valve, but that was changed and it will still code in at that at times. Since my post the light went off on it's own but will still show code 12 by hitting the key 3 times. I'm the second owner of the car, the first owner had trouble with the engine light coming on and getting a code for the oxygen sensor and had it replaced twice in a row and the light would still come on and off, he said he just got to where he ignored it. Now with me it's doing that too but showing the EGR with me. It still does that surging some too, not sure what that is. Thank you for your reply, it is very appreciated.

Rose

Did the previous owner replace the EGR Valve alone or the Valve and the EGR Sensor/Solenoid? Those are usually replaced together when EGR service is required as the Sensor/Solenoid will be what gives the EGR fault code. They used to be a dealer only item but more and more parts stores are carrying them now, but the normal procedure is to replace them both as a unit.

The previous owner replaced the oxygen sensor twice, I replaced the egr and the garage put the whole kit for it in, what ever that is. He said two or three things in the kit... solenoid was one of them I know.