Check Engine Light on. How urgent needed to fix it/potential cause of issue?
Posted by Far_Reply_4725@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 27 comments
As the title says, my check engine light went on. I have a 2001 Lexus and I drove it to a hiking trail. I typically avoid parking in really rocky, dirt areas, but this was the closest parking and available so I parked there. After I drove out though, it was on the freeway that I noticed the check engine light on. I don’t know if it turned on while I was on the freeway or when I drove out of the space but I think it was on the freeway. Could the rocky, dirt road have caused the issue? I don’t know, I plan on going to auto zone to get it checked out but I hope it’s nothing too too serious.
Nemomessedup27@reddit
A check engine light can be minor or more serious, so reading the code is the first step tools like Carista are designed to pull detailed diagnostics to help identify the cause
Mean_Inflation_8067@reddit
Best bet is to get the codes read. Either buy a mechanic, or og online and get a Bluetooth OBD code reader for cheap. Once you have the code you can find out what the cause is.
OkCartographer175@reddit
Bluetooth code readers are $15 on Amazon
Pull the codes
Gunk_Olgidar@reddit
Unlikely.
Don't wait, get the codes read for free at a local chain auto parts store. Auto Zone is fine. Then get it sorted within a few days to a couple weeks. Driving a vehicle with a lit CEL for several weeks to months can cause accelerated aging of expensive components, carbon fouling, etc.
Post your codes here for additional advice from this community.
Far_Reply_4725@reddit (OP)
Ah I see got it. Yeah, no the car still drives normally and it’s not limp or anything. I’m just worried about going to the mechanic shop myself since I’m a girl and I don’t want them to scam me
tnsipla@reddit
Generally speaking most mechanic shops aren’t in the business of scamming people- BUT they’ll always note other problems that they see and recommend services for them, if only to explicitly document that you turned those services down.
Transitive property of service providers is that most normal people will blame the last provider that touched their car for anything that happens after that point. Mechanic changed someone’s oil and then 500 miles later their suspension goes out? Oil changer must have done something. Easier to just do an inspection and recommend services for everything to CYA- that way when the angry customer comes back later, they can go “you declined servicing the thing that broke”
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Like we have said, buy a scanner or get Autozone to read the codes
Then come tell us or the IS300 sub what code it is
FluxCapaciTURD@reddit
Get your diagnosis from Autozone, make a post if you have to with any codes that come up and any symptoms. Could be very simple, but with at least a code we could help point you in the right direction and a ballpark of repairs.
Weinerdogwhisperer@reddit
The light is to tell you there's an issue with your emissions equipment. There may be no real engine issue. Get it read or get a blue tooth dongle and read it yourself and go from there. If it's not blinking it's not an immediate concern.
trader45nj@reddit
This is why you should have a Bluetooth OBD device in the car and one of the apps on your phone.
ScaryfatkidGT@reddit
Go to an autoparts store and have them pull the code then let us know what it is
There is no way of knowing otherwise
elquirk@reddit
Make sure your gas cap is on tight.
english_mike69@reddit
Always a good first check. Did you remember to turn it hard enough that it went click? If not, it could be flagging à code.
Take the cap off and check the rubber seal for dirt and wear. If it’s gunky or dirty, clean it. Damp paper towel, maybe finish with a paper towel with a big of vegetable oil (or other non-petroleum based oil). If the seal looks worn, often it’s time for either a new gas cap or a replacement if somewhere sells them.
Galopigos@reddit
It can be any of a hundred things. From a rock hitting a sensor to the engine coming apart and everything in between. Could be a squirrel got in the warm engine bay and snacked on some wiring, or the converter hit a rock and broke internally. No way to know for sure until you get the code(s) and see which system is complaining. AZ is going to read the codes and tell you to buy whatever part they think they can convince you is the problem. However, other than a very few codes, most don't point at a single part as the problem. For instance a "simple" P0303 is a misfire on cylinder #3. AZ will sell you a full set of plugs, then when that doesn't help they will tell you to swap the coils " Replace them all so they all work the same" will be a part of that. OOPS, you still have the misfire. Oh it must be injectors, we sell those in a matched set. WHAT! it's still misfiring, wow, those parts should have fixed it, we suggest you take it to a shop.... No we can't refund the hundreds you spent on parts, those are only replaced if they fail, and were properly installed...
Instead get the code(s) and post them to someplace like 2CarPros.com or r/MechanicAdvice and ask what they think the issue might be and how or what to test to be sure that it will repair the actual problem.
To use the P0303 again, My advice for that would be to swap the number 3 plug into cylinder 4, then swap the coil to cylinder 1 and see if the code changes to one of those cylinders. You are out a bit of your time but no money yet. Say the new code is P0301, well that is where you swapped the coil to, so it's likely a bad coil. Get a replacement, personally I like OEM parts but if you wanted to save some money you could go to a you-pull-it salvage yard and get a set off a wrecked car and probably pay the same for a set as you would for one new coil.
So get the code(s) and start there.
ProJoe@reddit
No, a rocky road did not cause it.
If the car isnt in limp mode its not something that immediately needs attention but you should get the codes pulled ASAP and make a plan to fix it.
S83884Q@reddit
Limp mode is chill? Don’t worry about it? Just keep on keepin on?
ProJoe@reddit
Does the word isn't mean anything to you?
Read my reply again, slowly.
S83884Q@reddit
Whyd you correct your eey?
ProJoe@reddit
It is called a typeo.
Funny how you are fixating on that versus your inability to understand my first reply.
S83884Q@reddit
Own it. I was just tuggin your chain, crankin ur hog, givin you the ol’ reach around. I ain’t mad. I just want you to love me ☺️
S83884Q@reddit
Sorry as I read your eey. I misspoke.
Expert-Masterpiece70@reddit
Take it to an Autozone they have OBD Scanners and they'll do a Free Scan. Also, a loose gas cap will cause the check engine lite to come on.
ExcellentMaize4141@reddit
What kind of Lexus is this? ES300?
Far_Reply_4725@reddit (OP)
IS300
ExcellentMaize4141@reddit
Oh okay, not too familiar with those engines. Provided the engine still runs good with no unusual noises or behavior, it should be fine but I would still take it to the parts store and get a code.
I too have an old ass Lexus, mine being a '98 ES300. Seems like every day there is a new issue which will cause the engine light to come on, but nothing which stops the car from running reliably. Right now, I am trying to figure out why the car is idling a bit higher.
Far_Reply_4725@reddit (OP)
Oh when you say idling do you mean the part that has the numbers like 1-5 (I don’t remember what the max number is) but when you press on the accelerator it increases ? Cause mine starts at 2 and then goes down to about 0.5 once the car has finished warming up
S83884Q@reddit
Sorry as I see your eey. I misspoke.