So my service engine light comes on

[Sniper82]

Have a crappy Pontiac Grand Am 2000SE well my check engine light just came on tonight. What could it be? Anything thats under the hood?

Is there some things I can checkout first without taking it to a shop?

 

[BatmanNate]

First guess would be the flux capacitor, but I've been wrong about these things before.

 

[NutBucket]

Gas cap (seriously)

 

[CrackRabbit]

Take it to an autozone, and have the codes checked or simply dump it off a cliff, the latter is easier and will save you many future headaches.

 

[Sniper82]

how much does autozone charge for that? Can they pinpoint the problem? Nutbucket if your serious do I just make sure its on there good?

If I was rich I would drive it off a cliff just for the fun watching it blow up, but then again if I was rich I wouldnt be driving this POS.

 

[wedi42]

autozone will test for free,
tighten your gas cap 3 clicks

 

[NutBucket]

Yes, new cars can tell if the gascap isn't tighted correctly since it creates a leak in the fuel system (which isn't supposet to vent directly into the air).

 

[IamElectro]

Originally posted by: johngute
autozone will test for free,
tighten your gas cap 3 clicks

Best bet before a repair shop.

 

[Sniper82]

I'll def try that then autozone. Any other suggestions?

 

[Akira13]

Originally posted by: johngute
autozone will test for free,
tighten your gas cap 3 clicks

I've heard that it still needs to be "reset"; even after fixing the gas cap. Is that true?

 

[Bootprint]

Originally posted by: Akira13

Originally posted by: johngute
autozone will test for free,
tighten your gas cap 3 clicks

I've heard that it still needs to be "reset"; even after fixing the gas cap. Is that true?

Mine takes a couple of days before it "resets", after tightening the gas cap.

 

[dmurray14]

Originally posted by: ^Sniper^
Have a crappy Pontiac Grand Am 2000SE well my check engine light just came on tonight. What could it be? Anything thats under the hood?

Is there some things I can checkout first without taking it to a shop?

Honestly, when your "check ENGINE light" comes on, do you think there might be a possibility that it's somthing under the hood? :roll:

 

[dmurray14]

Originally posted by: Akira13

Originally posted by: johngute
autozone will test for free,
tighten your gas cap 3 clicks

I've heard that it still needs to be "reset"; even after fixing the gas cap. Is that true?

Yes...car must be started twice...

 

[mobobuff]

My girlfriend's 2001 Grand Am SE usually always has the Service Engine Soon light on when the weather is really cold, or if she hasn't had the oil changed in 4000 miles.

 

[Toastedlightly]

How many miles? Mine still goes on and off w/ the gascap (98 Grand Prix SE) maybe your EGR stuff is getting gummed up. That is what happened w/ mine. Nothing a bottle of SeaFoam didn't fix..... Take it to autozone for a free reading.

 

[NascarFool]

To reset you'll need to disconnect the battery. You might have a bad O2 sensor. Take it to AutoZone.