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11/01/10, 01:22 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,212
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Engine Malfunction Light
The Engine Malfunction Light has been on in my 2001 Dodge Caravan since Thursday. I made sure the gas cap was tight, so I don't know what else I could check to make it go off. I hate to take it to the Chrysler dealer to have them look at it. I spent almost $2000 over the last three months getting a lot of things fixed and I thought I was all done until this happened. That's all I need is an engine problem. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Nomad
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11/01/10, 03:11 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SE Oklahoma
Posts: 2,003
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Check all fluid levels. Engine Oil, Transmission fluid, powersteering fluid, engine coolant, brake fluid.
Take the van to someplace like AutoZone and have them check for error codes.
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11/01/10, 03:15 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So Cal Mtns
Posts: 11,301
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oneokie
Take the van to someplace like AutoZone and have them check for error codes.
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Or buy one for about 75 bucks should be quality enough.
I have this one,80 at autozone right now.Reads and erases codes,I think its worth the money.Acton seems good quality too,neighbor has a more advanced from Acton too.I also have the VW code computer based setup,that was 2-300 hundred ,cant recall,only used it once since purchase.If car knows you can read it they stop acting up it appears,LOL
Last edited by mightybooboo; 11/01/10 at 03:23 PM.
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11/01/10, 05:20 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SE Oklahoma
Posts: 2,003
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mightybooboo
Or buy one for about 75 bucks should be quality enough.
I have this one,80 at autozone right now.Reads and erases codes,I think its worth the money.Acton seems good quality too,neighbor has a more advanced from Acton too.I also have the VW code computer based setup,that was 2-300 hundred ,cant recall,only used it once since purchase.If car knows you can read it they stop acting up it appears,LOL
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Does that come with a booklet/pamplet that tells what the code numbers refer to?
TIA
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11/01/10, 06:16 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So Cal Mtns
Posts: 11,301
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To be honest dont remember,just google..... obd code list,
the code,its there....or just put your code into google
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11/01/10, 11:18 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: East TN
Posts: 6,977
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Was the gas cap loose? Just because you tightened it the light won't automatically go off. No matter what the light is on for it would have to go through a certain number of drive cycles without seeing the fault for the light to go off, or the light would need to be reset with a sacn tool that interfaces with the onboard control module.
The shortcut way is to go to Autozone or Advance auto parts and have their parts salesman scan the code which they will do as a free service in hopes you buy the parts from them. Before buying and thowing parts at it first find out what trouble code it is setting.
__________________
"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost
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11/03/10, 08:10 AM
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keeper of the bees
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,307
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You can clear codes by unhooking the battery. Just take the negtive side off. If the fualt is still there it will turn the light on again as soon as the key is cycled.
 Al
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Garden View Apiaries. Where the view is as sweet as the honey.
A member of SEMBA & MBA.
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11/03/10, 09:00 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,212
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Thanks folks for all of the ideas.
Nomad
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11/03/10, 09:24 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 799
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New code readers now give you words in English in addition to the code. My first reader came with a book of codes that you just scanned through. You can also go on-line to get the code displayed on the internet.
You can disconnect the battery to get rid of a randum code, but going to the auto store to get a quick read is better. They like to do this for you, because it gives them the chance to sell you the part you need if it is something fixable.
One thing to remember though is that the "check engine" light can come on for a trivial problem you can ignore instead of correct, but it can mask a serious problem if one ever comes along!
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11/03/10, 12:55 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,212
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I disconnected the battery and the light is gone. It is supposed to go in the shop Friday, but if the light doesn't come back on after driving today and tomorrow, I will cancel the appointment.
Nomad
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11/03/10, 01:33 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,693
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Many auto parts stores will read and clear your code for you, for free.
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11/04/10, 06:16 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,247
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Codes from my 1993 Voyager can be obtained by turning the key of and on several times and counting the number of times the engine light blinks.
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11/04/10, 08:49 AM
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keeper of the bees
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,307
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At one time you could get a tool from GM that looked like a pants zipper pull. It jumped two pins in the ALDL connector to flash the codes by counting the times the warning lite flashed. also some of the flashes back then were like to long and two short, two shot and one long.
Al
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Garden View Apiaries. Where the view is as sweet as the honey.
A member of SEMBA & MBA.
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11/04/10, 12:39 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: central Missouri
Posts: 1,325
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nomad
The Engine Malfunction Light has been on in my 2001 Dodge Caravan since Thursday. I made sure the gas cap was tight, so I don't know what else I could check to make it go off. I hate to take it to the Chrysler dealer to have them look at it. I spent almost $2000 over the last three months getting a lot of things fixed and I thought I was all done until this happened. That's all I need is an engine problem. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Nomad
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To make a long story short here,my son had same problem,and after code checking etc..etc..turns out the gas cap rubber ring on the inside of gas cap has cracks and not making good seal when turning gas cap..that was the problem!! check inside of gas cap..
Good luck..
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11/04/10, 01:16 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,212
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The van has been driven a few times over the last two days and the light hasn't come back on. The only times this has happened in the past it was the gas cap, so I'll go see if the rubber is cracked. It's nine years old, so it wouldn't surprise me. Thanks again for the assistance.
Nomad
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11/04/10, 01:20 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,693
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Don't go jumping the gun on the gas cap. There are hundreds of reasons for the check engine light to come on. A cracked gas cap seal is not a terribly common reason. Far more common are things like slow O2 sensors, failure to purge, sticking egr, etc.
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11/04/10, 07:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: So Cal Mtns
Posts: 11,301
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Yup,really should have had that code read when you had the chance,now you are lost.And would be beneficial to know what was next time a code throws.
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11/05/10, 08:13 AM
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keeper of the bees
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,307
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Most American brand cars/trucks store the codes in memory so you can still get them after they are erased.
Al
__________________
Garden View Apiaries. Where the view is as sweet as the honey.
A member of SEMBA & MBA.
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11/05/10, 09:24 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 4,212
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alleyyooper
Most American brand cars/trucks store the codes in memory so you can still get them after they are erased.
Al |
The service guy said the code was lost when I disconnected the battery. I'm not too concerned about it. If there is a problem I'm sure the light will come back on. Next time...if there is one...I will get the code and see what the problem is.
Nomad
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