check engine light
#1
check engine light
Got a winning blue RX8 that I've owned for 48 hours. 100 miles on it and the check engine light comes on and stays on. The only thing I've done is wash it. Yes, the gas cap has been put on with 4-5 "clicks". Should I have the dealer "flat bed" it back?
Manual says only to let the dealer know that it's happening. I don't know when I can get back to the dealer.
Thoughts?
Manual says only to let the dealer know that it's happening. I don't know when I can get back to the dealer.
Thoughts?
#4
Just got back from my dealer after having my car checked out because my "check engine light" came on yesterday. Code said it was the thermostat not opening/closing correctly. They checked it out and it looked to be working fine, but they replaced it anyway. I drove it about 90 miles after it was on (the rest of the way to work and back home, and then to the dealer). I did call my service dept. first, and they said as long as the car was running ok (no loss of power, temps normal, etc.) it shouldn't be any problem to drive for a while. I was a little worried they wouldn't have parts in stock yet, but they fixed me right up.
Lightning yellow, MT package
Lightning yellow, MT package
#5
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Augusta, GA
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Me Too
I got the check engine light too. I have an appointment next Monday to take it in to the dealer. Since my oil pressure and water temp are fine, I'm not worried. It still runs great.
This is the first car I've ever owned equipped with OBD. Now I know how everyone else feels when the light comes on.
I'll let everyone know what the problem was when they check it out.
This is the first car I've ever owned equipped with OBD. Now I know how everyone else feels when the light comes on.
I'll let everyone know what the problem was when they check it out.
#6
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Well, my check engine light was caused by the thermostat sticking open. The dealer took a few hours to fix it and I'm very happy with the results. I'm glad to get the RX-8 back in place of the Neon loaner!
#8
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my check engine came on and I took car in and two days later they told me it was becuase I added subs and neon lights under the passenger and driver side. how does that make sense. The subs ran off battery and neons inside car ran off dome light fuse.
#9
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Maybe they are setting you up to get out of warranty work because of your subwoofers, hehe. Glad it was a simple fix on the CEL. Just make sure to always try to figure out what it is before driving the car to much more because CEL can mean death!!
#11
Is this title ok?
Originally posted by mikeb
my check engine came on and I took car in and two days later they told me it was becuase I added subs and neon lights under the passenger and driver side. how does that make sense. The subs ran off battery and neons inside car ran off dome light fuse.
my check engine came on and I took car in and two days later they told me it was becuase I added subs and neon lights under the passenger and driver side. how does that make sense. The subs ran off battery and neons inside car ran off dome light fuse.
The worst a sub or neons can do are blow fuses or short circuit some devices.
On a side note, maybe the safety device such as seat belt or air bag was affected by the wiring, which I'm sure you would not touch those. Then again, it should trigger the SRS light not CEL.
#12
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Join Date: Jun 2003
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When I got my CEL about 900 miles back they said it was the gas cap...
:P Wasn't me. I think it was the dealer when he filled it up and didn't get it tight. Hasn't returned though. Kinda blows that I had to take it to the dealer just to clear the light.
:P Wasn't me. I think it was the dealer when he filled it up and didn't get it tight. Hasn't returned though. Kinda blows that I had to take it to the dealer just to clear the light.
#15
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Dalton GA
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My check engine light has also come on twice. I took it to the dealer the first time and they blamed it on overfueling (topping off). This is horsesh!t. A week later its on again. Is this a thermostat problem? What should be my course of action??
#16
Actually if you top off new cars, gas will get into a runoff tube in the gas tank and there will be an airpocket so you can't add anymore gas (just like NASCAR cars), it will also throw a CEL. I worked at a dodge dealer and somone brought their car in because they topped it off and weren't suppose to, it threw a CEL. I climbed under the car opened the tube the gas drained it out, reset CEL and I was done. Cost them 1/2 hour for diagnostic, and 1/2 hour for maintenace and it took me 5 minutes to fix, just for topping off their tank.
#18
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Originally posted by CodyNF
Oh yeah, I also heard their was a bug in the ECU that would throw a thermostat stuck code when it actually wasn't.
Oh yeah, I also heard their was a bug in the ECU that would throw a thermostat stuck code when it actually wasn't.
#19
I got my car back from my dealer last week after it's second trip in for CEL coming on. First time they said it was a thermostat code, replaced it, even though they said the thermostat seemed to be working fine. The second time I had it in they called Mazda. Mazda said they've had 12 or 15 cars with the same trouble; CEL comes on, shows thermostat code, but thermostat is fine. Seems there is a problem in the car's computer that they're working on. My service manager called me a few days ago asking specific questions about my driving habits, conditions, etc, so he could report back to Mazda. He said that if it came on again not to worry about it (as long as pressures are OK), and that Mazda expected to have an update disk sent to dealers shortly that would correct the problem after bringing the car in and downloading the new info into the car's computer. A bit of a hassle with the trips to the dealer, but they've been great at getting me in--both times they told me to bring in right in and had me in and out in a few hours the same day I called.
#20
My car finally arrived at the dealer. I can't pick it up until Tuesday because the don't have anyone in to do the prep work this weekend.
The salesman let me sit in it and pull the car into the garage. As soon as I started the car the CEL came on. Could this be just from them not doing the pdi yet, or should I be warry of buying the car.
He let me pull it into their service garage and it should stay there until the mechanics arrive Tuesday morning.
I've been waiting for 2 months. My first car was wrecked in a train derailment. Now this. I sure hope its nothing serious.
The salesman let me sit in it and pull the car into the garage. As soon as I started the car the CEL came on. Could this be just from them not doing the pdi yet, or should I be warry of buying the car.
He let me pull it into their service garage and it should stay there until the mechanics arrive Tuesday morning.
I've been waiting for 2 months. My first car was wrecked in a train derailment. Now this. I sure hope its nothing serious.
#22
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Does anyone have any information regarding how to interogate the cause of/reset the CEL...
In the Imported Lexus SC400 which I nearly bought 2 years ago you could short 2 pins on the diag socket and it would display the code on the digital display...
In the Imported Lexus SC400 which I nearly bought 2 years ago you could short 2 pins on the diag socket and it would display the code on the digital display...
#25
I just took mine into the dealer on Friday because the CEL came on Friday morning and stayed on. Got a call and they said it was due to the gas cap not being seated correctly. I had read that in the manual and of course checked it and it seemed to be fine. Anyway, they told me that it doesn't sense it very often so it takes a while to go off.
But, I told them that I had issues with flashing oil check light and had to put 1/2 gal of oil into it. So, they're ordering me a new type oil pan and will be downloading new software into the computer.
But, I told them that I had issues with flashing oil check light and had to put 1/2 gal of oil into it. So, they're ordering me a new type oil pan and will be downloading new software into the computer.