Steady Amber Engine light indicator?

[viperbob]

Is there a way to reset this myself without a trip to the dealer (with my luck they would take it for a test ride and wreck it).

All I did was start it and move it to the center of my garage - after a couple hours I started it again and the amber light is on steady, not flashing as the owners manual states it can. The light is the one that appears to the upper left of the steering wheel and is a side view of an engine.

Thanks in advance...Bob Z.

PS - I took the gas cap off to make sure it was tight and it hissed at me (so snake-like), which I assume was venting; I have just below 1/2 tank of gas.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Cheap OBD-II code readers are $100 and plug in under the dash. You can read what the trouble code is and even reset it.

It is likely that a temperature/time monitoring function triggered the code. It needs to see a certain temperature rise within a certain time and too fast or slow will make it think that the catalyst won't warm up properly. Driving it through a couple of warming up cycles may make it go away, too.

 

[zorroespanol]

I read my OBDII codes by cycling the key ON-ACC 3 times....

Mine is an 04 though...

 

[Racer Robbie]

Tom is correct. Buy yourself a code reader and reset the DTC. If the problem is not permanent then it should reset after the car is driven through 3 to 5 complete cold/hot cycles as the ECM will see there is not a problem. This happens a lot when one does not tighten the gas cap enough, or is defective, and then drives off. Be happy the light is not flashing as that indicates that you have a very serious problem that needs the attention of your dealer asap.

 

[zorroespanol]

Check the codes as I said first.

For all you know, you have another problem that is not the gas cap and you need to take it to the dealer.

You will have saved yourself the trouble and money of buying the code reader.

After all, cycling ON-ACC 3 times is not that hard, is it?

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

'04 may be more sophisticated, but if it only blinks, then you don't know the problem until you locate a service manual. The code reader tells you in English. Also, on an OBD-II the number of blinks may tell you "bad injector" but the reader is more descriptive codes and tells you "bad #7 injector." And you can't reset the DTC with the key on/off method.

You can visit an AutoZone store and they will plug in a reader for free. They are looking to sell you the repair part, obviously, so it's no charge.

 

[zorroespanol]

He said it is steady amber...

Tom I agree with what you say, that'd be my #2 step. But again, how hard is it to cycle on-acc 3 times to at least get a first perspective of what's wrong?

There's plenty websites out there with OBDII codes info...

 

[Racer Robbie]

You can visit an AutoZone store and they will plug in a reader for free. They are looking to sell you the repair part, obviously, so it's no charge.

Tom, That is a great idea and from what I hear they also lend out specialty tools for free as well.

 

[Racer Robbie]

I have the codes from All-Data fro 2003 if anyone needs them. I believe they will be the same for yours. Just shoot me the code and I will email you the information.

Robbie

 

[murci]

If the problem is not permanent then it should reset after the car is driven through 3 to 5 complete cold/hot cycles as the ECM will see there is not a problem.

About how long does this take? Mine is still on after 2 days of driving.

 

[Racer Robbie]

As I stated above 3 to 5 times of a complete cold/hot cycle, or better stated open/closed loop cycles. The number of days is meaningless. How many miles and the cycles is what is important. Remember if the light does not reset then you have a problem that needs fixing first. The above works fine in situations where you left the gas cap ON loose.