96 Buick Park Ave very odd question?

Tiny
ZHALTERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 BUICK PARK AVENUE
I have a 96 Buick Park Ave 3.8L, around 100kmiles. I had an angry employee tamper with my car today in some way that made my check engine light to come on shortly after leaving work. My question is- What could a person do to a car that would cause this without having any access to under the hood? The book for the car claims that a constant check engine light means that the computer is sensing a problem with the emmission/fuel system. I've inspected the outside/underneath the car for any clue of what could have been tampered with and have come up with nothing, any ideas on what I should be looking for would be GREATLY appreciated. I know the car was tampered with I just dont know in what way. Please help
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 5:27 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Can the fuel door be opened from the outside?
Foriegn substance could be in the tank!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 5:46 PM
Tiny
ZHALTERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The Fuel door cannot be opened from the outside without breaking the lock I would imagine. The fuel door lock does not seem to have been forcefully opened so I dont think there is a problem with the fuel. Thank you for replying so quickly!
Also- the car seems to be running ok, the check engine light has me quite worried though. Any more ideas out there?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Have the codes read. Autozone will do it free. Post results for deeper meaning!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 6:05 PM
Tiny
ZHALTERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Heading to Autozone, didnt realize anyone would do it for free. Will post results as soon as I get back. Thanks alot Merlin, you have no idea how much I appreciate the help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, September 27th, 2007 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
ZHALTERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
First off, the guys at Autozone where very friendly and more then happy to check the code for me. However, they had no info on the code p1441 and could not help me with my problem. He also said the code p1441 was registered twice when he read it. I would greatly appreciate any information thats out there about this code and what could have been done to the car to cause it. Thank you in advance!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, September 28th, 2007 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
P1441 Evaporative Emission System Flow During Non-Purge
Plugged return line to gas tank, or pressure regulator on fuel rail. By the way any donation yet?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, September 29th, 2007 AT 7:10 PM
Tiny
GODSERVANT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Check the fuel lines that run down the side of the car underneath. You do not need access to the inside to crimp or mess with those lines. If one was hit and damaged someway, it may be the reason for the code. Also, do an inspection underneath and see if there is anything unplugged or seems to be out of place. I pray this helps you. God Bless.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
BOWFAN
  • MEMBER
  • 16 POSTS
Sometimes the codes that set the Check Engine Light can be caused by something as simple as not having the gas cap on all the way. I found that the cable which secures modern car's gas caps to the car will sometimes get caught under the cap which will not allow it to seal properly and that will trip the computer to display CEL due to an evap emmisions sys fault. This may be the case and doesn't cost anything to check. I always recommend checking this if CEL happens soon after fuel fillup.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008 AT 10:31 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Check Engine Light Content

Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
VIDEO
Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
Instructional repair video
Check Engine Light
GUIDE
Check Engine Light
Why is my check engine or service engine soon turned on? In this guide we talk about what this is associated with this notorious light, what it is used for and what you...
VIEW MORE