Long story short.

Girlfriend filled my '02 max gle up with 87 octane (and she thought she was doing me a favor...). Since I have owned the car I have never put a drop that wasnt 93 octane in.

I drive 12 miles (which is what i have figured out is one engine cycle for me from having previous trouble with the ses) and sure enough the SES light pops on. I go to the zone and they pull the p0011/p0021 codes. Tell me how much the sensors are and also tell me it may be a solenoid (or something) and most likely I would have to go to the dealership.

I was heading on a trip so i topped off (had about 3/4 tank left) with 93 octane and drove the 300 miles all with the ses light on. As i got to about a quarter tank, the ses light went off. I filled up and returned last night (300 miles), drove to work this morning, and still havnt had the ses light pop back up.

I know nothing about the cam sensors, but have read that things like low oil can get the code to show up.

Could using 87 octane 1 time in about 3 years give these codes?

Why else would these codes show up for almost exactly one tank of gas and then be gone?

Thanks for any info.

 

I just bought a max 02 se. And I had a problem with the ses light, also.
I went to the car dearler. And he asked me If filled the car with octane 87... HE said that could be the problem...but after more research it was my o2 sensor that was causing the problem.

 

The car is designed to be able to run on any octane gas, so I can't imagine you've done any harm to the car -I don't know about the code though.. could the computer get so used to driving with a high octane gas that a lower octane would create a situation in the engine that would trigger a code?

 

Anyone know anything about these sensors? SES light has been off for a while now, It seemed to come and go with that tank of 87. I just dont know if it is possible if that could of been the issue or not?

Thanks for any info

 

Well my car did throw a code (can't remember exactly but it was an o2 sensor code) after using 87 for like a week. I used up all the 87 gas, started using 92-3 and reset the SES (battery off for an hour or more). Light Gone, no problems, no codes ever since.

 

WRONG -1

The car is able to RUN on any type of gas but it WASNT designed to run on any octane

 

I've never seen this happen, but in theory I supposse it COULD be your fuel.
you lowered your octane which changed the burn time to burn faster.
Your computer has learned a timing curve based on your driving, the knock sensor, etc. Since you previously had fuel that burned slower your timing curve was advanced all the way to right before knock.
After changing to 87 the previous curve COULD HAVE been causing detonation with the 87 octane, which in turn set off the knock sensor, which in turn retarded your timing for a millisecond, then "over-advanced" itself back to the previously learned curve. This may have happened several times, then your ecu may have decided you where to over-advanced.

 

I've been driving my car for 22 years on 87 octane. This cannot be the problem......

 

you replied to an 18 year old thread (17.5 years)