Malfunction light came up

[LookingBusy]

Hi all, was driving just now and realised that this malfunction light came on. Checked the car manual and it indicates that it has to do with something call the emission control system. I continue to drive for the rest of the day and the car was still able to move and function smoothly. The light stays constant there and i'm concerned with it.

 

 

Anyone has this problem before and what do you all do to solve it? Bring it back to the AD to diagnose? (mine is out of warranty though).

 

Cheers

 

 

[Yewheng]

  On 8/25/2012 at 9:56 AM, LookingBusy said:

Hi all, was driving just now and realised that this malfunction light came on. Checked the car manual and it indicates that it has to do with something call the emission control system. I continue to drive for the rest of the day and the car was still able to move and function smoothly. The light stays constant there and i'm concerned with it.

 

 

 

Anyone has this problem before and what do you all do to solve it? Bring it back to the AD to diagnose? (mine is out of warranty though).

 

Cheers

 

Googled and found article about engine check light

 

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01...es-on/index.htm

 

  Quote

If the check-engine light comes on, here are some tips on what you should do:

 

Look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Check your dashboard gauges and lights for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the engine as soon as you can find a safe place to do so. On some cars, a yellow "check engine" means investigate the problem, while a red "check engine" means stop right now.

 

Try tightening your gas cap. This often solves the problem. Keep in mind that it may take several trips before the light resets. Some vehicles have a separate indicator that warns of a loose gas cap before the condition sets off the "check engine" light.

 

Reduce speed and load. If the "check engine" light is blinking or you notice any serious performance problems, such as a loss of power, reduce your speed and try to reduce the load on the engine. For example, it would be a good idea to stop towing a trailer. Have the car checked as soon as possible to prevent expensive damage.

 

Have the code read and the problem fixed. If you want to diagnose the malfunction yourself, you can buy a scan tool at most auto parts stores. Prices range from about $40 to several hundred, depending on the model and the features. The tools come with instructions on how to hook them up and decipher the codes. But unless you have a good knowledge of automotive diagnostics, you're probably better off taking the vehicle to a professional. Some automotive parts stores will read and interpret the code for you without charge. Unless there is an easy fix, they may simply refer you to a mechanic.

 

Don't go for a state emissions test. In a late-model car, an illuminated "check engine" light probably is a sure sign your car will fail the test. In some states, it's an automatic failure, even if the problem was nothing more than a loose gas cap. By the way, don't bother trying to fool the inspection station by disconnecting the battery or using any other method to erase the trouble code and turn off the "check engine" light. Your vehicle's computer will let the inspection station know that its codes have been erased, and you'll just have to go back again.

Edited August 25, 2012 by Yewheng

[Fcw75]

Nissan?

 

Should be some sensor faulty.

[AlanZ]

Plug into the obd n get the error code.

Many reasons for check engine light.

Refer to ur latest mod before the light came on.

Did u change to anything that affected ur a/f ratio? Like overbored tb, intake or extractor?

Or did u do anything to the wiring?

N ways ur ride?

[LookingBusy]

Nope i did not do anything to it. I just drove, parked the car, waited for someone and then i realised the malfunction light came on out of nowhere when i looked at the dashboard. I tried to tighten the gas cap just now but the light was still on annnoyingly

 

Any more advices?

[Methol]

Might be fuel filter spoil liao. My Previous car also engine check light come out.

[Happily1986]

  On 8/25/2012 at 5:35 PM, LookingBusy said:

Nope i did not do anything to it. I just drove, parked the car, waited for someone and then i realised the malfunction light came on out of nowhere when i looked at the dashboard. I tried to tighten the gas cap just now but the light was still on annnoyingly

 

Any more advices?

 

i do not claim to be a walking OBDII reader but i suspect that it is your lambda sensors.

[Snookium]

Bring it to my office. I can check for u free provide u know the location of ur odb port which is usually under driver side. I got the reader. I work in jurong.

[Kamikaze89]

could be 02 sensor, fuel filter or/and fuel pump. or lagi worse catalytic converter. you drive awhile if fuel consumption maintains it could be just sensor problem nothing one. ignore and drive if you don't find it eye sore. if not go reset fault code and correct the problem lo

[Yeobh]

Once the check engine light is ON , there are more than 101 possibilities of faults within each system.The best alternative is to get a professional OBD2 scanner to download the fault code (s). With the fault code info, the mech should be able to narrow down which system and from there pinpoint the problem source. This is not an easy diagnostic process, the mech will have to use specialty tools to check and countercheck each fault possibilty.

 

PS most DIY fault code reader are equipped with very basic program that may have the capacity to only download info from at the 1st level of security. If the fault is much more serious/complex, there is no way for such DIY scanner to access the info due security block normally only professional/dealers/OEM scanners with more powerful program will be able to perform the download.

Edited August 26, 2012 by Yeobh

[Tanek947]

Do you install any additional air intake like kompressor or something like that?

My malfunction light come on due to air tube connecting to the additional air intake breaks off... Causing mixture too lean and malfunction light come on.

[ER-3682]

  On 8/25/2012 at 10:22 AM, Fcw75 said:

Nissan?

 

Should be some sensor faulty.

Should be oxygen sensor,my Camry also got this light on for quite a long time,did not change the sensor,surprised power even is better with faulty sensor...also save a bit more fuel...[maybe car run 'leaner'.?]

[Warthog]

Did you do anything to your car lately? Retrace and maybe that is the cause.

 

Otherwise, it is straight to the repair shop for a diagnostic test.

[Celicar]

Car how old?

[Hcity]

i have this indicator ON for the past year or so liao...checked with 2 different shops, both tell me - pre-heater at injector "dead".

 

no effect to performance or fuel consumption...maybe living in tropical country not much use for pre-heater?

 

subaru impreza

[ER-3682]

  On 8/26/2012 at 3:43 AM, Hcity said:

i have this indicator ON for the past year or so liao...checked with 2 different shops, both tell me - pre-heater at injector "dead".

 

no effect to performance or fuel consumption...maybe living in tropical country not much use for pre-heater?

 

subaru impreza

Hmmm,i only heard before DIESEL injector got Pre-Heater,never heard a Petrol version needs 1,correct me if wrong.

[Hcity]

i checked again the code...it is pre-heater for the O2 sensor.

 

thanks for highlighting

[ER-3682]

  On 8/26/2012 at 7:17 AM, Hcity said:

i checked again the code...it is pre-heater for the O2 sensor.

 

thanks for highlighting

O2 sensor also don't need heater,it is in the exhausts downpipe,hot enough already.