Thread: Engine light stays on - '99 GT

I have a 1999 GT (3.8L, 2 door) which runs like a top! About 6 weeks ago, after driving over gravel roads my "check enigine light" come on and won't shut off. I have filled up several times so I don't think it's the gas cap. The car runs perfectly and I have no issues with starting, driving, acceleration, etc. Could it just be dirt in the sensors? I've heard of this before. I have it booked in to be checked but I wanted to see if there are any simple suggestions to try at home. Thanks.

Go to autozone ask them if they can tell you why your cel light is on. They do it for free. Then report back with the code and we'll tell you whats wrong and some possible things to look for other than the obviouse things.

Originally Posted by TDCRacing

Go to autozone ask them if they can tell you why your cel light is on. They do it for free. Then report back with the code and we'll tell you whats wrong and some possible things to look for other than the obviouse things.

Agreed, or Advanced Auto if you have one of them around too.

Originally Posted by 149GP

I have a 1999 GT (3.8L, 2 door) which runs like a top! About 6 weeks ago, after driving over gravel roads my "check enigine light" come on and won't shut off. I have filled up several times so I don't think it's the gas cap. The car runs perfectly and I have no issues with starting, driving, acceleration, etc. Could it just be dirt in the sensors? I've heard of this before. I have it booked in to be checked but I wanted to see if there are any simple suggestions to try at home. Thanks.

Hopefully they dont charge you up the ass for them to check for a SES light. It is just proboly a maf needs to be cleaned. You should take it to a NAPA or Auto zone and ask them if you can do a OBD II diagnositc test. It will just give you a code like P0303 or something. Just get on here and tell us and we can look it up. I have access to GM's Service Information and I can look up codes that away. I have heard of people just googling the number and get the completly wrong thing. My friend had a camaro with a check engine light on and he decided to google the number and they had said it was a EVAP problem but i looked it up through SI andi had found out it was a misfire problem and we got it fixed and drove it and the light went away.

Thanks snap on and everyone else that has sent in a message. I called Napa Autopro which is what we have up here but they need the car and are charging $130 just for the Level I diagnostic! I did try a trick I read about which was to engage the car but not start the engine, depress the gas pedal three times (why three I don't know) and then hold the gas until the CEL goes out. I chickened out and only depressed the gas three times then started the car -- the CEL was still on. I then drove it for errands and low and behold - the CEL light went out. Yeahhh!! It stayed out until I washed the car and cleaned out the gas cap area. I then just took the gas cap off and put in on again and the light went out. But, after about the third start up the CEL is now back on. I'm going to try the magic gas pedal thing again as well as taking the gas cap off and on. As mentioned before, the car is in great conditon and the engine runs like a dream. I'm even told that the the car is burning the fuel perfectly (from the way the exhaust pipes look). Anyway, as you've guessed, I am NOT a tech, not well educated in engines -- but better than most women but am still open to suggestions. Maybe I'll just buy a new gas cap as well and try that. Thanks again guys!

Originally Posted by 149GP

Thanks snap on and everyone else that has sent in a message. I called Napa Autopro which is what we have up here but they need the car and are charging $130 just for the Level I diagnostic! I did try a trick I read about which was to engage the car but not start the engine, depress the gas pedal three times (why three I don't know) and then hold the gas until the CEL goes out. I chickened out and only depressed the gas three times then started the car -- the CEL was still on. I then drove it for errands and low and behold - the CEL light went out. Yeahhh!! It stayed out until I washed the car and cleaned out the gas cap area. I then just took the gas cap off and put in on again and the light went out. But, after about the third start up the CEL is now back on. I'm going to try the magic gas pedal thing again as well as taking the gas cap off and on. As mentioned before, the car is in great conditon and the engine runs like a dream. I'm even told that the the car is burning the fuel perfectly (from the way the exhaust pipes look). Anyway, as you've guessed, I am NOT a tech, not well educated in engines -- but better than most women but am still open to suggestions. Maybe I'll just buy a new gas cap as well and try that. Thanks again guys!

K bud before you go off and get a gas cap check the code. The only thing that a gas cap does is EVAP. Go to autozone or schucks/checkers and get a diagnostic code. EVAP is the only thig that the gas cap sets off. well that and a small leak. You can take a gas cap to a dealer and ask them to test it for you real quick. Also just im not being an ass but it isnt a CEL it is a SES (Service Engine Soon). Just so that when you go and talk to a tech they dont look at you all crazy. seriously 130 bucks for a digonsic scan? god damn. that takes like what 2 minutes at the most. wow. i dont do that to my costumers. 30 bucks and i have my own tech 2. If i like you ill do it for free. lol

Thanks snap on -- if only you could come down to Edmonton to do the scan I'd be grateful! I know that "we" (i.e. us in Canada) always get the short end when it comes to the cost of doing anything automotive but that's the price we have to pay -- you'd die if you knew the cost of buying a car -- try $15,000 (on average) more that the US price! and that's when our dollar is on par with the US!! Anyway -- thanks again but I'm going to have to bite the bullet, bend over and say ahhh in order to get the diagnostic done and the code cleared. Oh, regarding the SES or CEL thing, I did check my manual and it actually says CEL or "check engine light" -- must be a Canadian/American language thing!

Thanks again, I really do appreciate all of your help and insight. It's nice to know the internet can be a good thing.

try the MASS sensor. usually if it is the MASS sensor it will be really funny when it idle's, and when it shifts.