I'm testing a S2000 for a few days and when I picked it up, within minutes the check engine light came on and the main't required light was on. I pulled over and checked the oil. The oil looked a little below min. so I stopped and topped it off. Coolant and all other fluids were good. The light has stayed on. I'm going to get it to a mechanic first thing tmrw, as I am interested in purchasing it. My question is what kind of things can cause the light to come on? What kind of damage is possible? The car didn't have an oil light on or anything and the engine sounds completely fine. Could it have damaged it? Thanks for all the replies and please excuse my ignorance!

 

The CEL can be caused by dozens upon dozens of sensors picking up something not quite right. It only becomes a panic if the light blinks. If you want to know what's going on, you have to scan the ECU and pull the code.

As for the "MAINT. R'QUIRED" light, it's just a coincidence and this will explain all .......................
http://forums.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.p...threadid=183490

 

Thanks! I read that previously but wanted to make sure I covered my bases and gave a full and accurate discription of my situation. My main convern was the possibility that the low oil level could have caused the check engine light and that there could be damage. As I recall though, I THINK I remember there being a light dedicated for low oil. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I have been without my S2000 for a little over 3 years now so I'm terribly foggy.

 

The light indicates low oil "pressure" not low oil. It's an "idiot" light and by the time it comes on, it's too late. You won't get a CEL from low oil till lots of damage has already been done. You may not get a CEL at all even after the engine craps out.

 

I'm betting its not an oil issue. More likely its a misfire or bad sensor.

Good luck. Let us know what the diagnosis is.

 

please be very cautious before purchase


I just went through a HORRIBLE ORDEAL...

Test drove a car, had a CEL, it was "fixed" before I purchased.

I get the car and do a compression/leakdown test, and there was a problem.
3 days ago I pull the head off to see a 1/8th inch gash in the cylinder wall of #1.

Today I pull the motor out, and dissasemble it, in the process I found a relay for a nitrous kit, and the injectors had been hacked as well...

Pull the motor apart, 3 of the pistons are ****ed, the tops are off the pistons, the rings are doubled over, there is a shit load of silicone in the oil pump...

You could say I got screwed, royally...the knock sensor was CEL, he snipped the wires to the sensor, no cel after that...

Then again the mother****er who sold it to me like this is in for a ****ing nightmare when I get over to his house.

LEAKDOWN/COMPRESSION is VERY important.