check engine light; off then on

[jmanb90]

2001 Pontiac Montana. Love the Van! Have not had alot of problems out of it, however over last few weeks my -check engine light- periodically comes on. It will stay on 2 days, maybe 3, then go off for a day or 2 ,then come back on again. Any ideas? Before when it came on it stayed on until i had it fixed. (emission problem). I have about 120,000 miles on it.
thanks

[Hoags]

You may want to try taking it to an Autozone, they check the codes for free. However it is best to do it when the light is on. The SES(service Engine Soon) light can come on for a wide range of things. The light can come on if your gas cap is not on tight enough or it can come on for a severe engine condition. When the light is on the OBDII registers the code for the immediate condition. I know that the OBDII system is supposed to store the codes but I don't know if they can be retrieved if the light is not on. Wish I could be more helpful. What kind of emmissions work did you have done?

[jmanb90]

from the work order, i think this is right:
replaced EGR valve, they also did some other stuff; replaced ABS module and replaced the rear temp. door actuator (rear a/c) this was all done in February of 2004.
I have gotten gas a few times since the light started coming on and cap is tight. Just weird to me that it comes on and goes off. Cant decide if it knows what its thinking! LOL

Originally Posted by Hoags

You may want to try taking it to an Autozone, they check the codes for free. However it is best to do it when the light is on. The SES(service Engine Soon) light can come on for a wide range of things. The light can come on if your gas cap is not on tight enough or it can come on for a severe engine condition. When the light is on the OBDII registers the code for the immediate condition. I know that the OBDII system is supposed to store the codes but I don't know if they can be retrieved if the light is not on. Wish I could be more helpful. What kind of emmissions work did you have done?

[Hoags]

I hate these kind of issues, I had a problem with my light comming on shortly after I would fill the gas tank. Of course the dealer said that I was not putting the cap on tight enough. I told him I was, when I took the van in for service it turns out to be a cracked filler tube and when the weight of a full tank would open the crack and the fuel system would loose the pressure and trigger the light. In your case you will most likely have to wait until the light is on and have the system checked. if you go to Autozone they can tell you what the code is for. I have had several SES light occurances and in most cases it is something that I can handle like a dirty air flow sensor or the like.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by Hoags

You may want to try taking it to an Autozone, they check the codes for free. However it is best to do it when the light is on. The SES(service Engine Soon) light can come on for a wide range of things. The light can come on if your gas cap is not on tight enough or it can come on for a severe engine condition. When the light is on the OBDII registers the code for the immediate condition. I know that the OBDII system is supposed to store the codes but I don't know if they can be retrieved if the light is not on. Wish I could be more helpful. What kind of emmissions work did you have done?

I believe the OBDII does store the codes for retrevial even if the SES light is not on. I had a problem awhile back where the SES light would come on sporadically and then turn off. Sometimes it would stay on when the vehicle was started, and sometimes it would go off immediately after being started. I took it to Autozone and they were able to retrieve the codes from memory and the SES light was not on at the time.