service engine soon

[leftee]

the service engine light comes on an stays on for a couple of dys here an there,an once in awhile the car wouldnt start-turn the key an nothing, an i would mess around with the fuse box connection on the engine an the battery cables hooke to the engine, an than the car would start all the time

[harmankardon35]

If I were an OBD2 code scanner id have all your awnsers. That light means some sensor somewhere in your car (and these days theres ALOT of them) has detected an abnormality serious enough to turn on your check engine light. Get it scanned at a garage alot of places do it free. My guess is something fuel related (fuel pump maybe?)

[dizzle1]

Both of those things happened in my car is your car a 3.5?
My CEL went on and off before it was my O2'senors I changed them most things need replacement in these car at 80k but thats normal stuff.
And not starting, my car does that a few times also I see no sign like CEL for that but I pop open the hood and look at the fusebox and pull out the big fuses that are related to the ignition system and clean them even the relay for the ignition. Yea my security is on and goes away sometimes maybe it could be related, but that started after I programmed a new keyless remote! But last thing is get it check at an Autozone or buy a OBD2 scanner off ebay.

00 Intrigue

[dtownfb]

When you turn the key, don't go all the way to the "on" position. go to Acc. You should hear the fuel pump kick in (light hum). If that does not happne, then your problem is fuel related. Otherwise, I would begin to look at the Igniton switch or module.

dizzle: If your security light is coming on, yours may be related to the ignition switch as well.

[LittleHoov]

If you havent already, clean the battery cables. The negative one is almost always clean, but it can get corrosion sometimes.

Pull the positive one off, and scrape off any corrosion with a wire brush, ive also heard that a water/baking soda solution can work wonders if you dip the cables in it. Be sure you pull off the boot and clean there as well, you have to remove the center stud that goes through the top before the rest of the boot will come off.

Oh, and next time the SES light comes on, whip into an AutoZone, Oreilly, etc and have them pull the codes for you, and be sure they give you the actual codes, numbers and everything.

[dizzle1]

dtownfb, I always heard the fuelpump whine even when it didn't start but from last time I recall the security light went off when I pulled out the ignition relay for over a minute and put it back. Then it came back a few days later blinking then solid Security. It's on now but my car still starts, how would I check my ignition switch to know its bad, never done a ignition switch before but im keeping my stock keys.

[LittleHoov]

The ignition switch and the key cylinder are two different parts. The key cylinder goes into the ignition switch, and can be removed and put in a new one if you so choose.

There is info in the Chiltons on how to remove/reinstall one, this information can also be found on Autozone.com, I also have some pics of the ignition switch from AllDataDIY that a friend sent me eons ago that I still have if any of you guys want them.

But lets keep this topic about the original problem, which is a SES light and an occasional starting problem.