Service Engine Soon light on, should I take it to a mechanic?
Service Engine Soon light on, do I have to take it to the dealer?
I have 03 SE Maxima, it's only 3 months old. Yesterday, I had to drive on a very rough road, which was under construction. I had to travel for about 10 minutes on that road. Anyway, on the same day (while travelling on a different road), Service Engine Soon light popped up. According to the manual, the light should go off after a few trips, but should I be concerned? Also, will the dealer do the check for free? Any input is appreciated.
PS: My engine has not been running that smooth since the light came on... atleast that's how I feel.
A totally unrelated question: A Honda S2000 vs. 03 Max SE, who will win?
PS: My engine has not been running that smooth since the light came on... atleast that's how I feel.
A totally unrelated question: A Honda S2000 vs. 03 Max SE, who will win?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 134
Well..
The S2000 will dust you. Check engine light will stay on as long as there is a problem. You probably knocked something loose in which case, yes have it looked at. Autozone will look up the code 4 free. Dealers will try to charge you <100 for a diagnostic fee. I would not tell them about the bumpy road... It could be a lot of things. The CEL are common but usually after 40k. It is 90% of the time the software in the computer needs to be reflashed. Write that word down, you will need it at 40k. It is not the same as resetting it, and no regardless of what your uncle tells you- on the new odbII systems, you cannot simply disconnect the battery for that problem. On the problem you are having though- that may work. Unplug both leads + - for 1/2 hour. You'll lose all your radio presets and clock time but it may reset the light...don't get too excited though, they tend to pop back on. As far as the reflash- only a dealer has the right software to do this...a mechanice can only reset the light. Anyway, good luck. I would just wash it and slowly drive it into the dealer and complain. Never indicate abuse...also by the way, if it was dusty on that road, carefully clean the intake by the mass air flow sensor...if that is dusty it will trigger the light...along with 1000 other things like bad gas- a lose gas cap is common-02 sensors...ALWAYS TIGHTNEN YOUR GAS CAP til it clicks otherwise it will come on. Ususally will reset itself after 5 key cycles. Hope it helps...I know my max's.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 134
Re: Well..
Originally posted by max 01
The S2000 will dust you. Check engine light will stay on as long as there is a problem. You probably knocked something loose in which case, yes have it looked at. Autozone will look up the code 4 free. Dealers will try to charge you <100 for a diagnostic fee. I would not tell them about the bumpy road... It could be a lot of things. The CEL are common but usually after 40k. It is 90% of the time the software in the computer needs to be reflashed. Write that word down, you will need it at 40k. It is not the same as resetting it, and no regardless of what your uncle tells you- on the new odbII systems, you cannot simply disconnect the battery for that problem. On the problem you are having though- that may work. Unplug both leads + - for 1/2 hour. You'll lose all your radio presets and clock time but it may reset the light...don't get too excited though, they tend to pop back on. As far as the reflash- only a dealer has the right software to do this...a mechanice can only reset the light. Anyway, good luck. I would just wash it and slowly drive it into the dealer and complain. Never indicate abuse...also by the way, if it was dusty on that road, carefully clean the intake by the mass air flow sensor...if that is dusty it will trigger the light...along with 1000 other things like bad gas- a lose gas cap is common-02 sensors...ALWAYS TIGHTNEN YOUR GAS CAP til it clicks otherwise it will come on. Ususally will reset itself after 5 key cycles. Hope it helps...I know my max's.
The S2000 will dust you. Check engine light will stay on as long as there is a problem. You probably knocked something loose in which case, yes have it looked at. Autozone will look up the code 4 free. Dealers will try to charge you <100 for a diagnostic fee. I would not tell them about the bumpy road... It could be a lot of things. The CEL are common but usually after 40k. It is 90% of the time the software in the computer needs to be reflashed. Write that word down, you will need it at 40k. It is not the same as resetting it, and no regardless of what your uncle tells you- on the new odbII systems, you cannot simply disconnect the battery for that problem. On the problem you are having though- that may work. Unplug both leads + - for 1/2 hour. You'll lose all your radio presets and clock time but it may reset the light...don't get too excited though, they tend to pop back on. As far as the reflash- only a dealer has the right software to do this...a mechanice can only reset the light. Anyway, good luck. I would just wash it and slowly drive it into the dealer and complain. Never indicate abuse...also by the way, if it was dusty on that road, carefully clean the intake by the mass air flow sensor...if that is dusty it will trigger the light...along with 1000 other things like bad gas- a lose gas cap is common-02 sensors...ALWAYS TIGHTNEN YOUR GAS CAP til it clicks otherwise it will come on. Ususally will reset itself after 5 key cycles. Hope it helps...I know my max's.
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