Vehicle Engine Check Light

Discussion in 'Automotive' started by Cody Fousnaugh, Jul 7, 2021.

  1. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Has your engine check light came on, with some codes, and you either: erased the codes/shut off the light with a Code Reader, or erased the codes/shut off the light by removing a battery terminal cable for a few minutes?

    I've hear from some folks who have left their engine check light on and drove around with it on for weeks-to-months. Didn't do a thing about the codes that showed up, until they could afford it.

    Just what happens if you have a Code Reader, you go ahead and erase the codes, which will also shut of the engine check light and decide to wait to see if the engine check light comes back on?

    As for me, I don't like driving around with the engine check light on, let alone not being able to get an appointment, for at least a couple of weeks, to have it all checked out.

    Thoughts about this?
     
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    Frank Sanoica likes this.
  2. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    @Cody Fousnaugh

    Electric Fuel Injection, EFI, was mass-introduced in the 1980s. The early version was named "On Board Diagnostics I", or OBD-I. It had limited ability, controlling only the electronic functions of running the engine. It did have a "Check Engine Light", CEL, function which alerted drivers to emissions problems mainly.

    In 1996, OBD-II was introduced throughtout the industry, mandated by government. By then, transmission functions and Anti Lock Brake systems were also given priority, and "trouble codes", announced via the CEL. As things got even "hairier", the PCM was given the ability to stop the vehicle in it's tracks for certain safety related issues, such as malfunctioning ABS. The shut-down consists of several degrees of severity: 1) "Limp Home Strategy" in which power is limited, but the vehicle remains driveable, though at reduced speed. 2) "Forced Engine Idle", which allows the engine to only idle, no power at all, and, 3) "Forced Engine Shut-down", self explanatory. LawEnforcement has been largely granted the ability to institute #3!

    Frank
     
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