18 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH"Check Engine" Light Stays On
Leading reported evidence
Install on a laptop
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Have it installed on a laptop that I dedicate for it and it is very functional.
Leading evidence: 'Install on a laptop' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check back' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
If not buy one and check back when you read the code.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Get the scanner and you will more than pay for it the first time yhe Dealer wants to replace the MAF because the book says to.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
18 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
1 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Hi all,
On Sunday -- these things always happen on Sunday -- my "Check Engine" light came on while on a 4-hour return trip from the Bay Area. After reading the owner's manual, I continued home without incident.
It is known that my car has a crack in the coolant system. However, the engine has never overheated and the coolant has never been low. ...until now. When I got home, the coolant was all but empty. I topped 'er off and drove around the block, but the Check Engine light remains on. Does this light automatically stay on until reset by a service center? Or, does this suggest that something has been fried?
Any advice is appreciated.
Dave
If your coolant resovior is cracked (I'm assuming the resovior as it the most common item to crack in that system and not cause catostrophic loss of coolant) it will not cause a check engine light. You have a level sensor but it's readings are not read by your ME. There is another issue causing the check engine.
As a first step, I'd take the car to any shop and have the codes read. Mosts autoparts stores will do this free of charge. Once you get the codes, post them here.
I doubt that the check engine light came on because of low coolant. Generally a light will blink on the temperature guage if there is a problem with the cooling system.
I assume that you have a good scanner???????? If not buy one and check back when you read the code. Your toolbox is a waste of money if it does not have a scanner that reads active sensors.
Thank you, all, for the quick replies!
Yes, I am all too familiar with the engine temp light. My previous service center (who failed to determine the crack in my coolant system), suggested that the light, without a hot engine, suggested low coolant. Indeed I would often see the light come on after driving hard, but not always when the coolant was low. I've never seen the engine get hot.
No, I don't have a scanner, but then I wasn't thinking of servicing this myself. I was merely hoping to see the light go out before taking the car in for service. Lord knows what charges they'll come up with when they've got an illuminated excuse on my dash....
But then again, as you've pointed out, if the two issues are unrelated, then I can't expect the light to go out for topping off the coolant. Good to know. I guess it's time to swallow hard and take the beast in.
Dave
Dave, there is no need to visit the dealer just yet. An OBD II scanner runs anywere from $20-$200. Any local autoparts shop will likely read the codes free. Unless of course you'd rather pay the "stealer"
Get the scanner and you will more than pay for it the first time yhe Dealer wants to replace the MAF because the book says to. Or....buy a less expensive product. KY, for your visits to the dealer.
Also check this one (works with a Palm):
http://www.pocketlogger.com/?pid=help
I think the CEL must be cleared by either disconecting the battery (reset) or clearing with the scanner.
My money is on a faulty maf sensor. These have to be the biggest pain. Had to replace my second one this weekend.
2001 996 aero c4 EVO supercharged.
2003 996 tt cab
So, before I hookup my laptop, how do I install this here Symantec Anti-Virus on my Porsche? I put the installation CD in the CD player but nothing happens. For that matter, how do I reboot this #$%^ thing?!?!
Dave
BTW, for anyone interested in knowing how this story played out, I bought the AutoTap digital scanner from B & B Electronics and reset the CEL. Problem resolved. None of the symptoms ever returned.
Thank you for the terrific advice!
Dave
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
