hey guys...

my friend told me if you have the engine light on.. the ecu forces the car to shoot out more gas and runs more rich?

is this true?

 

Uh.... I think your friend is shooting out more gas.

 

But seriously, I've read that if the ECU detects certain problems it can go into "limp home" mode, but I don't have any deatails on what that's about, or if it's even true or not.

 

Limp mode yes, but I don't think limp mode is achieved by dumping fuel into the chamber when it detects something is wrong.

Or maybe it does, they could have designed it like the desert tortoise, scare it and it pisses itself and dies of dehydration...

At least that's what I was told by the Corps in 29...

Always thought that was a really stupid design...

 

soo i shouldnt be worry at all?

 

If your check engine light is on, I would highly advise you to heed its warning, not your friends and check your engine.

 

Err, by the way, are you aware of the difference between the Maint Req'd light and the Check Engine light?

 

^That's the best question asked in this thread.

 

 

^^^ LOL, I don't think it matters. Whether you have a CEL or a Maint light, the answer is the same. Either way, the answer is "No."

Limp mode uses open loop operation and conservative mixture and timing.

OP, if you have a flashing CEL, you should not drive the car. Have it towed. The flashing CEL means that continued use is apt to cause further damage, and the damage could potentially be very serious. If you have a non flashing CEL, then you need to read the code and see what's wrong. CEL is *never* good. If you are seeing the Maint Reqd light, then you either need to have the car serviced, or if it's been serviced (routine service) recently, then you just need to reset the thing. No big deal; Even if you ignore it, it won't harm your car, AS LONG AS you have it serviced at reasonable intervals.