Check engine light

[rbsteve]

This will probably sound like a ridiculous question, but here goes. My check engine light came on on the weekend. Ive thoroughly checked everything i can think of with the engine (fluid levels, spark wires, dirt build up, etc..) and can find nothng wrong with it at all. The car still drives just as well as before. There is no wierd noise at high revs, nor an unusual fuel consumption.

ive ordered a code reader online which should be arriving Monday. I was just wondering whether anyone knew what this error code could be. Im getting impatient to find out what is wrong with my car.

Thanks

Steve

[GTP Dad]

There are a couple of hundered things that could be wrong. From a loose gas cap to bad part in the transmission. The light is designed to monitor the functions of the engine and report any deviations from the programming in the computer. Once you get your code reader and get the code you should have a better idea of what is wrong.

[richtazz]

If you can't wait until your code reader arrives, take your car to Advance or Auto Zone, they will scan it for free.

[rbsteve]

**UPDATE**

got my shiny new code reader, plugged it in, and it read P0141. according to the book its an Oxygen sensor heater circuit malfunction(downstream).

That is the sensor on the exhaust pipe near to the engine is it not ? Is that a hard thing to change, basically to get at ?

Also the check engine light stayed on for about 5 days and then went off. It hasnt come on since. I erased the code and ill see if it comes back, but is it possible it fixed itself ?

Thanks

Steve

[richtazz]

The downstream sensor is the one past the converter and measures converter efficiency. It could be caused by a broken wire to the oxygen sensor, but I'd bet the sensor itself is going bad and needs replacement. IT's relatively easy to change, unplug, unscrew, screw in, plug in, then clear your codes again so the computer recognizes teh new sensor. Just be sure to use a little penetrant so you don't pull the threads out of the exhaust.

[romeguy1]

Wow, RBSteve...my check engine light came on too the other day. Same thing as you..car runs normal and I've checked every fluid level imagineable. I think I'll take it to AutoZone and see what the deal is.