My car's check engine light

Tiny
APORTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 116,000 MILES
What if my check engine light came on
Do you
have the same problem?
Yes
No
Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 3:56 AM

34 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis,finding out what's going on.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 3:57 AM
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MECHANIC
  • 901 POSTS
Then the car has a diagnostic trouble code that will need to be retrieved using a scan tool, then perform diagnostics pertaining to the code
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Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 3:59 AM
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MECHANIC
  • 901 POSTS
Sorry raz, too quick for me.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2011 AT 4:01 AM
Tiny
APORTIS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 116,000 MILES
The check engine light came on in my car I took it to the place where I brought the car a they scanned the car and the code said hvac what does that mean
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It has to do with ( heating, venting and air conditoning ) HVAC
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Can you post the actual fault code, with this we can give you more detailed info on the actual problem.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JAHBLUNT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 163,103 MILES
I took my car in to get smogged, the one thing my car failed for was the check engine light, which I knew had been on for a while but I tried resetting it before I took it in, but the smog test places computer read that it was still on. I replaced the part that came up in the code which was the cam shaft position sensor. It was the only code that came up for the light being on. The light went off, and has been off for a week, I took it back for a retest and it failed again, the guy at the smog place told me my check engine light was still on according to his computer. Even though it's not on in my dash. He told me I had to drive the car for a week or a hundred miles below 55 mph in order for the cars computer to recognize the new part. Does this sound right? Or am I being taken for a ride?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TONYG21
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well it does sound some what right. But you can do this aswell. When your not going to be driving the car remove the battery cables and let it set over night. Befor you let it sit though cycle the key three to four times so that the computer has no input what so ever. Cycle with the terminals removed from the battery. Its best to let it sit for atleast 12 to 14 hours before putting the cables back on. Then all you need to do is drive it under 55 mph for about 2 miles to let the computer read all the info from motor. Hopefully this will help you out because its what I did to mine to get the computer to reset completaly. I own a 1996 grand am se 2.4 4 cylinder and had the same trouble. Good luck.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THEGRANDAMGT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Engine Performance problem
1997 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

the seller of my grandam told me he thought the car needed some kind of sensor.I have no power in low rpm's and today I noticed my exhaust from the cad back was glowing red. Do you think its my 02 sensor.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SAWMASTER88
  • MEMBER
  • 38 POSTS
Could possibly be the O2 sensor, but I would look more closely at the Catalytic Converter itself. The glowing exhaust may be a sign that the Catalytic converter is very badly clogged. If you can drive it and live near an Autozone, take it in and ask them to run Code Retrieval Scan and see what they can come up with. Good Luck
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIAN ROLLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
Dumping alot of gas
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check engine light on
Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis, finding out what's going on.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BROOKE1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 134,000 MILES
I was driving home today and I was slowing down when I was coming up on a stop light. My car jolted forward and chugged probably 2 times and stalled. I turned my car back on in the intersection and it was shaking and my check engine light was blinking. A guy pushed my car to the side of the street and we popped the hood and I started it again. My engine was bouncing under my hood causing my whole car to bounce and shake. What do you think this is?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Could be any number of things from electrical to engine mechanical. Need to do a compression test first to be sure it isnt a mechanical problem. If ok, need to check spark at all cylinders. Scanning the computer may lead to which cylinder is having the problem through a trouble code.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AUNTSUES
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,000 MILES
1997 pontiac grand am check engine light is flashing
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis, finding out what's going on.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEFF.M
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
My grand am's check engine light came on the other day and has stayed on. The car isn't running rough. All fluids are good. Don't really understand what the problem is. Is it ok to drive?The car has 225 000km's. Can u help?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 337 POSTS
The check engine light is telling you that there is a problem with the engine mangagement system. Sometimes the problem does not effect engine performance to the point that you can notice it. However there is a problem and you need to correct it. You will not be able to pass inspection with the light on.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JEFF.M
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Well I found my problem. There was a leak in my gas line just above the gas tank. Apparently there's a plastic line there. The mechanic. Got us a new 1 for $40. He said the line looked like it had melted. Either way the line was replaced. No labour.(Bonus). Had diagnostic. Total charge 126. With tax. He said the sencer pick up pressure loss in the gas tank. And anothersencer pick up the fumes. The check engine light will go out when everthing is fixed. The sencer's pick this up. Anyway's thanks for your help.I'll probably see you in the future. Thxs
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GARYDEANHAMILTON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1996 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,231 MILES
I have a 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE 2.4 and am having a problem. In June I drove the car on a 3 hour trip, and after about 2 hours the check engine light came on. I thought this was due to buying a different brand of gas than I normally buy, so I added some fuel injector cleaner with my next tank full. In the past when the check engine light came and I added this product the light would go out after a few short trips. But this didn't work and the light remained on. About a week later when I tried to start the car the dash lights went crazy, buzzers and bells sounded, and nothing worked. After looking around and disconnecting and then reconnecting the negative side of the battery I thought the battery might be the problem. I called a local auto parts store and they brought me a new one. This solved the problem and everything worked as it should.
Last week I drove for 4 hours and left the car parked for 3 days. No problems at all. But as I was driving back the check engine light came on. The ETS light (enhanced traction) is also on for some reason, and I believe the cooling fan is running all the time.
I have an appointment at a local repair shop to have the car looked at but was wanting your opinion on what may be going on.
I can tell you that the battery is fully charged. I hooked up a battery charger which ran in charger mode for about 8 minutes then turned itself off. I have checked all the fuses. The alternator was replaced about 3 years ago. The accessory belt was replaced 6 months ago. The car doesn't run hot or leak any fluids. It has 141,231 miles.
We bought this new and it's been a great reliiable car.
Thank you for any advice you can provide.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:06 PM (Merged)

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