"Check Engine Soon" light on, any ideas?

[RedDawn289]

I was driving home in my 2000 Pathy last night about 5 minutes into my drive the "Check Engine Soon" light came on. I read that it might be the gas cover so I tightened it but it has no gone off. It was raining all day and hard when I was driving home so I am wondering if that might have anything to do with it. My pathy is running great so I'm hoping if anything it's a faulty sensor. Does anyone else have any other ideas?

[Qxxx4]

do any of your friends have an OBD2 code reader? their like $40 on ebay, i have yet to buy one i keep borrowing a friends. for over a year now ive had the same 02 sensor codes, yet my 2000 qx4 runs perfect, so i just took the check engine soon bulb out and check the codes every once in a while

If its running perfect i wouldnt sweat it. Last week my dads land rover had the light come on when it was pouring rain, then 2 cylinders started to misfire and you could damn well tell without hooking up the reader...issue turned out to be totally worn out spark plug cables

[RedDawn289]

No I don't have a CPU reader. I guess I will just have to take it to my mechanic to read it. I am pretty sure the rear O2 sensor was replaced before I baught it. I guess we will see. I just hate seeing that check engine light but bugs the crap out of me!

[cmkelly]

There are multiple O2 sensors on your Pathy - pre cat, post cat. Chances are it's one of those. Buy an OBDII code reader and match the code. Or Advance Auto, Auto Zone, etc. will check the code for you in hopes of selling you the replacement part. Most O2 sensors are easy to replace but can run $100 - $135 each.

Good luck!

[RedDawn289]

That's where I am lucky. I have a friend that works in an auto parts store that can get me pretty good detals so it shouldn't be too bad.

[Natedogg1701]

if the code thats turning on yiur service engine soon light is an o2 sensor code, dont be quick to go buy a new one. my SES light came on and it was for bank 2 sensor 2, (passenger side after the cat). but it was weird because the light came on like 5 mins after i started my truk, after it had sat all day. i brought it 2 my mechanic and he reset the code and it hasent come bak on in about 2 minths, knock on wood. he told me sometimes extreme temperature and weather conditions can mess with o2 sensors. which made sense 2 me because it had been very hot that day and cool waay down at night.

[RedDawn289]

Oh that would be awesome! I am hoping the rain just messed one up. I just had the exhaust changed would that maybe have something to do with it?

[Natedogg1701]

i really dont know, is it just a cat bak system or was it a full exhaust? like headers all the way bak?

[RedDawn289]

I am really not good with names of stuff lol. It's where the two pipes bolt together in the middle about a quarter down from the front of the pathy back to the muffler to single pipe all the way to the back of the pathy. and it's all stock nothing modified.

[Mikey178]

Hey, if you need the code read, let me know, your not too far from me, if you want I can get the code for you and clear it. Same goes for you Qxxx4.

Just let me know.

[RedDawn289]

I have a pretty good mechanic and I have to go pay him this week for my new sway bar links and exhaust anyway so I will just see if he will read it for me and go from there but thank!

[GRNMACHINE]

[QUOTE=Qxxx4]do any of your friends have an OBD2 code reader? their like $40 on ebay, i have yet to buy one i keep borrowing a friends. for over a year now ive had the same 02 sensor codes, yet my 2000 qx4 runs perfect, so i just took the check engine soon bulb out and check the codes every once in a while

It is probably an O2 sensor if it is running fine as everyone has said. Autozone can clear the code-mine came back though.

Qxxx4-Can you tell me how to remove the bulb? I need to get an emissions test, vehicle wont pass with check engine light on I have read. Willing to spend the $65 for the sensor if needed, but it doesnt look easy to get to the connector of the sensor.

[Empty V]

If it's bank 2 position 2 then you might pass an emissions check, I just did. After you cut the cable ties it's easy for replace. The bank 2 position 2 sensor is prone to fault and chances are that if it throws a code once, it'll throw it again. But until you know what the code is I wouldn't jump to conclusions.

Billy

[slickroger]

I wouldn't assume that because the check engine light is on that its an O2 sensor right a way that light is used to indicate any engine problems so there is no point in assuming anything until you get the code read.

Qxxx4-Can you tell me how to remove the bulb? I need to get an emissions test, vehicle wont pass with check engine light on I have read. Willing to spend the $65 for the sensor if needed, but it doesnt look easy to get to the connector of the sensor.

Im not Qxxx4 but it if you want the bulb out to pass an emission test its probably not going to fly because there supposed to put the reader on anyway to make sure your bulb is working if your throwing a code. Im pretty sure Qxxx4 took it out because it was bothering him to look at the light.

[GRNMACHINE]

Empty & Slick,

Thanks for the info & quick response. Sorry if I wasnt clear, I had the code read awhile back. It was P0158 or P0160 or something like that. I keep good records, its finding the records that is tough! Heh Heh

I believe it read Rear 02 sensor right side or something like that. I cleared it, it went away for awhile and then came back. I fully plan on getting it read again before replacing, unfortunately I dont know if I can get it done before emission test is due.

I may try to get the code cleared and then go for the test but I dont have much faith it will stay off. Emmision Test Facility isnt convenient to get to either.

[Empty V]

Empty & Slick,

Thanks for the info & quick response. Sorry if I wasnt clear, I had the code read awhile back. It was P0158 or P0160 or something like that. I keep good records, its finding the records that is tough! Heh Heh

I believe it read Rear 02 sensor right side or something like that. I cleared it, it went away for awhile and then came back. I fully plan on getting it read again before replacing, unfortunately I dont know if I can get it done before emission test is due.

I may try to get the code cleared and then go for the test but I dont have much faith it will stay off. Emmision Test Facility isnt convenient to get to either.

P0158 is the Bank 2 Position 2 (driver's side after the cat) O2 code. I don't think clearing the code forces the sensor to read correctly and replacing it is easy. It takes a whole 5min after finding and tracing it the wires. They're in a red fabric wrap sleeve type of deal, at least on my 01 QX4 they are.

Billy

[RedDawn289]

So I got the light checked and found out that it's a knock scesor. My mechanic said it is a soft fault so they cleared it and said we will see what happens. He said to even check the secsor it's about 6 hours worth of labor so it's not really worth checking however he also said that if it comes up again he will check the wires running to the secsor and what not just incase it has anything to do with that.

[GRNMACHINE]

Billy,

Thanks for the info. Went to Autozoner and had code checked-P0158. I think I looked at the Bank 2 Sensor 2 Passenger side when I was replacing trans fluid. I asked them to clear the code (is an option on their scanner), they wouldnt. Neat thing is the light went out and stayed out. So I found a new closer Emissions Test Locale and IT PASSED!!!! They no longer idle the engine etc. All they do is plug into the OBD and check it. I dont need to test again til 2011. Path seems to be running fine so I really dont think I will be replacing 02 sensor at this time--$65-85 saved.Thanks to all repsonse s and info etc. Much Appreciated.

[Empty V]

Billy,

Thanks for the info. Went to Autozoner and had code checked-P0158. I think I looked at the Bank 2 Sensor 2 Passenger side when I was replacing trans fluid. I asked them to clear the code (is an option on their scanner), they wouldnt. Neat thing is the light went out and stayed out. So I found a new closer Emissions Test Locale and IT PASSED!!!! They no longer idle the engine etc. All they do is plug into the OBD and check it. I dont need to test again til 2011. Path seems to be running fine so I really dont think I will be replacing 02 sensor at this time--$65-85 saved.Thanks to all repsonse s and info etc. Much Appreciated.

Glad to hear it passed, same happened with mine but I'm still going to change it because that code will keep popping up and I hate seeing that annoying little check engine light. BTW Bank 2 Position 2 is the driver's side.

Billy