Check engine light keeps turning back on

Tiny
BIGBRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SATURN VUE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 10,000,000 MILES
The service engine soon light been on for the longest time I had at least two mechanic used a Diagnostic Scanner on the car then the light goes out for no reason for two days and comes back on again.


plus once in a while I see tachometer almost goes to zero and come back up again
can please tell me what is wrong with my car?
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 3:06 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Okay when the Malfunction Indicator Lamp[MIL], or "check engine", lamp is illuminated it means that your vehicle's Power-train Control Module[PCM[, or "computer", has set a Direct Trouble Code[DTC], or "code". What we are going to need is the code[s] that the PCM set. You will need a code reader to do this. Here is a link below to a guide explaining how to get the code[s] from your vehicle below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please go through this guide and get back to us with what you find out and we can go from there.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 AT 12:21 AM
Tiny
BIGBRAIN
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  • 1 POST
I had my car scan like you requested and I received (3) codes.

(1) P0172

(2) P0420

(3) P1515

Can you let me know what the codes mean?
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 11:36 AM
Tiny
BIGBRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I am confuse because I gave you the scan code which there were (3) and I didn't see what they mean can you please
explain it to me? Why?

I really need know what wrong with my car.
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Monday, January 13th, 2020 AT 12:52 PM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I am just getting over the worst part of having the flu. In the diagrams down below I have included the diagnostic troubleshooting guides from the vehicle manufacturer for Direct Trouble Codes P0172, P0420, and P1515 for you. Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Tuesday, January 14th, 2020 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
BIGBRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The code P0420 does that mean we need to change the oxygen sensor needs to be replace? Can you give me more explanation of what I need to fix my ca?

The other code is p1515. I am confused what does that mean as well.
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 10:16 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

DTC P0420 is for the catalytic converter for bank 1 needing to be replaced because it is worn out. Bank 1 in your vehicle's case is just referring to the whole engine, and there should only be one catalytic converter. DTC P1515 is a DTC for the Throttle Position Sensor performance. In the sixth diagram that I sent, there is a diagnostic troubleshooting flowchart for you to follow and it lead you to the exact cause of the problem. Please go through this flowchart and get back to us with what you find out,

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, January 15th, 2020 AT 5:09 PM

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