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Check engine ie. WTF
Murago
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok, so i'm not really experienced when it comes to this avenue of knowledge.
I have a 2006 Dodge Dakota. I need an oil change (almost 1000 miles over the next oil change), and my fucking check engine light came on. I'm really worried about it, as i've NEVER experienced this before, even with my old 93 Mazda MX3 that had such a bad oil leak i had to put in a quart of oil ever 3-4 days so i didn't destroy my engine.
I'm getting my oil changed TODAY in like 1/2 hour at a mobile lube express during my lunch break. Why is my check engine light on! Is it the oil? Wouldn't there be an OIL light to tell me?
HELP
I have a 2006 Dodge Dakota. I need an oil change (almost 1000 miles over the next oil change), and my fucking check engine light came on. I'm really worried about it, as i've NEVER experienced this before, even with my old 93 Mazda MX3 that had such a bad oil leak i had to put in a quart of oil ever 3-4 days so i didn't destroy my engine.
I'm getting my oil changed TODAY in like 1/2 hour at a mobile lube express during my lunch break. Why is my check engine light on! Is it the oil? Wouldn't there be an OIL light to tell me?
HELP
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My old 87 toyota, and 91 honda never ever had the check engine lite come on. On my 2003 VW jetta, i've had it come on 3 times in 1 year. Every single occurance was something to do with a part of the computer system/electronics. Either a heat sensor malfunctioning, or something shacking loose.
As well, One time i go to fill up the tank. The check engine light wasn't on prior to gasing up, I get done, hop back in, and the check engine light comes on, and the lightbulb in my head. I get back out, and turns out i didn't tighten the gas cap enough and that can set it off too (even mentions it right on the gas cap, never noticed)
If your vehicle is still under warranty, which i assume it is being an '06, just take it in, and explain that its on. Could it be the oil? TBH i don't have enough knowledge on cars to even guess. Perhaps if oil pressure is wacky, i dunno. If it is no longer under warranty, take it to a mechanic and pay for a diagnostic.
Get your oiled changed and if its still on, take it to the shop.
See if they have a diagnostic machine at the lube place they'll plug in for you. If not, get it checked out.
Yeah, such as my Neon, you ignore the check engine light because it tends to turn itself on and off randomly for no real reason.
If you're lucky, the ECU (the computer) might have some LED's on the outside that you can see. If there are, they will probably flash you a code (sort of like morse code, but simpler) that you can compare to a chart to see what is wrong. You could probably find the codes for your model online, or in the shop manual. I had a '95 Nissan that popped a check engine light, turns out it was because my speedometer wasn't registering. Since I already knew about this problem (it was intermittent) I ignored it. I learned the code and just double checked when the light came on to make sure it wasn't something else.
The dealer is going to be able to pull much more useful info, but that might ease your mind a bit. And the gas cap advice is right on.
Step 2: Ask them to pull the code.
Step 3: Look up code on teh interwebs (if the description in the little hand held deal isn't enough).
From there, decide if it's warranty work or whatnot. Those quick lube places are notorious for fucking things up. I'd avoid them like the plague if at all possible.
CEL's aren't usually things that will omg blow up the engine. Those type of things usually have their own very special light that says something like "STOP".
Every time mine's come on it's been something with the fuel system, such as bad spark plugs or oxygen sensors.
they did a diagnostic and it said that some little tube was leaking some shit. He says its not really anything to worry about and erased it. If it comes back on i'll prolly take it to the manufacturer.
Little tube leaking shit? Who did you take it back to?
Your car is an 06. I highly doubt the fuel injectors are clogged or anything is wrong with your rear differential...
I have just gone through this problem and talked to a lot of people about it. Seems that it's almost always a malfunctioning sensor, and not in the engine at all (usually in the exhaust system where a lot of sensors exist for measuring oxygen levels to ensure efficient fuel/air mixture and stuff). The gas cap advice would be a simple fix but it is almost always not the problem. Worth trying, but don't expect that to be it.
I wouldn't worry about being 1000 miles over your scheduled oil change. Especially if you are using the Jiffy Lube (et al) schedule of once every 3000 miles. The manufacturer usually recommends a much less frequent oil change (refer to your owners manual). And even that is an engineer's conservative estimate. Engines aren't so fragile, nor so dirty, as to develop a problem if you exceed a recommended oil change interval by a mere 1000 (or 2000, or 5000) miles. Regular oil changes are more important for older cars (like pre-1990), from what I've read. But you said you have a 2006.
If you truly neglect oil changes, though, yes you are supposed to get a Low Oil Pressure light.
Unless you've driven that truck into the ground, there is no way it should have a leak anywhere so soon.
http://www.thelostworlds.net/
Your money is going to stop flowing totally if you don't pay attention to what these nutjobs are doing to your car.
Actually, it'll still flow, it'll just go directly into their pockets. :P
Always always, if your car is under warranty, don't let the oil-changing monkeys do anything other than change the oil. They mention headlight fluid or changing strange things other than the oil, tell them you'll take that under consideration and head on your way. An 06 will not have many things wrong with it.
Dealership first, if you don't want to go to Autozone and figure it out on your own. :P
To note: I have an 02 Camaro, and I have not had anything looked at for the rear differential, it's got almost 70k miles on it. >_>
You are supposed to change the gear oil in there once in a while. Though since his Dak is an 06, I doubt he's anywhere near the mileage necessary.
Anyway, to reiterate the advice here, if the light comes back on go to an Autozone or your dealer and get the code pulled. Post it here and we can look it up for you, or have them fix it, whatever.
Well yes, just noting that I haven't let the mechanics try and get me to change everything possible. :P I actually have come to like the mechanics at Wal-mart, as long as I'm nearby while they change the oil they do a pretty good job. I haven't liked the jiffy-lube places since my grandfather's Dakota got an oil pan bolt stripped out... and they left it in. That was a wonderful mess.
On the other hand, I'll be getting a house soon, woo, garage of mine own. /end threadjack