Totally stock '03 SE w/39K, always serviced by dealer, SES light comes on on the freeway on the way to work this am.
No noticible changes in performance.
The only thing that's happened differently is that it rained all day yesterday here in Denver and my car was outside.
Dealer appt. tomorrow @ 7:00am.

 

Did you get gas last night before you went home?

 

Actually, I got gas yesterday morning and checked the cap. That's the first thing the dealer asked as well.
In fact when I got to work this am. I checked it again to make sure it was properly fitted.
Thanks to this forum that's one of the things I always check.

 

I wouldnt go to the dealer for SES scan unless the car is not running right. just get a cheap SES scan tool like, the Creader scantool from Launch, for $39.99 and scan it yourself. Dealer charges $110 for scanning and diagnostic and your warranty just ended not long ago.

I would pull the code, know what it is and see if it needs dealer to fix it. BTW, if it is emission related, they will have to cover up to 80k miles per fed. regulation.

or you can just do nothing. if the problem is not reoccuring, the ECU will turn off the SES after numerous times of starting the engine. happened to my P0420 code.

 

Monitor your fuel mileage. It could turn out to be 02 sensors.

 

Autozone will pull your codes for free. Go there before the dealer.

 

maxi-o -- 2 questions:
1) Where can I grab the tool? Auto parts chain retail outlet?
2) How many times is numerous? I thought this might reset as well.

Currently, the car is running fine.

 

Kojiro -- there is an autozone right near my house. I'm leaving the office in about 1.5hrs and I'll swing by there on the way home.
Thanks.
I knew I'd seen that one of the chains would pull codes but I couldn't remember which one.

 

The SES light just meens there was a trip in the emissions code. So either your gas cap or something from the MAF sensor back is causing the error. Is your air filter dirty by any chance, any bugs or garbage that might be blocking air flow?


In matter of fact you did mention that you drove through the rain, did you perhaps drive through any deep water? A wet air filter would cause that light to go off as well. I know ...it happened to me.

 

Rafe -- no deep water, nothing over an inch or two. It's so freakin dry in CO the ground just sucks everything up as soon as it rolls off the hwy.

I grew up in an area where flooded roads were pretty common so I know how to handle those puddles. I once drove my XJ6 through water in downtown Denver so deep I could here it lapping at the doorsills. Just drive in the middle of the road on the crown with enough speed to keep forward momentum but not fast enough to create a bow wave!

 

Does anyone happen to know the gas cap, O2 or MAF codes?

 

There are different codes for the o2 sensors, but if you go to Auto Zone, when the pull them there is a discription of what the code is for. I just had 2 o2 sensors replaced today and the code was P0139.

Edit: If you do not have an extended warranty and it appears you have a bad o2 sensor, be prepaired to pay for this out of pocket as they are only covered 3/36.

 

1.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46030

or you can try ebay....it might be a bit cheaper. BTW, this tool also erase code.

if you want something better, I recommend Actron CP9135.

2.I had my P0420 on for 2 weeks and I drive the car everyday. so I would say at least 40 times. however, if your problem is an on-going problem, it will never go away regardless how many times you start the car.

 

pulled a PO455 or was it 445 at Autozone last night -- large leak in the evap system. In other words bad gascap seal. Cleared the code and reset the gas cap. If it appears again I'll get a new gas cap.

Thanks to you all for your assistance.