as i was driving home, my "check engine" light came on. I really didnt kick it, though to 7500rpm on third and threw it around the off ramp. I read the owners manual and it says its either the emissions control or gas cap, but i havent filled my car yet and its running with only 2bars of gas left.

any of you guys have this problem? if i scanned the computer and found what the problem is and cleared it, would that help, or do you guys recommend taking it to the dealer to check it out? im guessing they would also scan to see what the problem is right?

help! i dont feel like driving the car, but i need to drive it...

thanks for viewing and replying!

 

You have to get the stored code before guessing at the problem. The CEL can be any # of things, a loose gas cap included.

Autozone usually will pull the code for free, but that's about it. Don't expect any in depth troubleshooting there.

Otherwise, check the oil and coolant, you should be ok to drive to get it looked at.

 

You better pray it is just the gas cap, cause if you bent a valve it won't be a good thing

 

Ok, i found out what the problem is. I scanned it and it said the problem is the "O2 sensor heater circuit malfunction. Bank 1 sensor 2"

where would the sensor heater circuit be located? is it busted, or loose?


thanks!

 

You'll most likely need a new secondary 02 sensor. The heater element of the 02 can "burn out", just like a light bulb. The primary 02 is the 1st sensor in the exhaust header, the secondary is in the catalytic convertor.

The heater wires on the sensor are the 2 same color wires, usually black. If there is no continuity, the heater is fried.

It's fairly common to have the catalyst break loose inside the convertor and smash the sensor. If this is the case, you'll need a convertor and a sensor.

 

thank you for the information, i really appreciate it.

Im gonna get it checked today, so hopefully ill be able to find the problem and fix it.

Is it ok if i cleared the code? cause thats what i did since i know what the problem is.

 

Most likely it will come back on.

 

I cleared the code, but it came back on like you said. so im sure the sensor is fried.

is it ok to drive the car the way it is, or do you not recommend not driving it? i wont be able to get the sensor til tuesday from dealer.

thanks

 

By the way. How would the O2 heater sensor look like. Is it bolted into the cat and wires connecting somewhere else?

 

O2 heater is an integral part of the sensor.

The sensor in the cat only monitors the efficency of the cat. You are safe to drive, but get it fixed so the check engine light can be reset, and you can be alerted should another problem arise.