What does Check Engine Light mean ?

[pbs888]

What does Check engine light mean when it is lighted ? Does it mean that the car needs urgent repair asap ? Is this a major problem ? Mine is a 99 TLC v8 100 series.

 

[grant5127]

The ECU has received a fault code.. get someone to check it out w/ an obd2 scanner........

 

[Jukelemon]

You can accomplish this your self if you want to bridge the two diagnostic wires in the testing plug under the hood. Then you can look up the code in the FSM-or I guess we could if you like ( :

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

You can accomplish this your self if you want to bridge the two diagnostic wires in the testing plug under the hood. Then you can look up the code in the FSM-or I guess we could if you like ( :

You can do that on a obdII system?? and what do you mean by--- or I guess we could if you like

 

[gaylon]

check engine light

generally it means some sensor to the computer is not reading as the computer expects it to. Usually it means an O2 sensor or a mass air flow sensor has failed. Depending on where you live and your wrenching apptitude / attitude, it means from $100 - $500.

Just had one of my O2 sensors replaced at the dealer for about $265.

 

[jjbodean1970]

its normally nothing to be overly concerned about, it used to mean your car was about to blow up, now its normally emissions based, something as simple as a loose fitting gas cap can set the cel off now