Check Engine CAME ON.... WTF??

[Joe PR5]

Hey guys/gals.. my car had a rough idle for the past week. i thought it was bad gas. i used some fuel line cleaner, but i have not used the whole tank yet.. Then today my check engine light came on... what should i do? do you think i should change the plugs or just bring it to mazda? its got 80,000 and no intake exhaust or anything.. I took everything off about 10,000 miles ago.. what do you think???

 

[peepsalot]

Get the error code read by the dealer or some other shop. Then you know why you have a check engine light.

When was the last time you changed your plugs?

 

[changedman]

when was the last time you had ALL four spark plugs changed?

 

[Joe PR5]

I would say about 10,000 miles ago. i drove from NY to CA and im here for another month then driving back. im going to try changing the plugs later today.

 

[TampaSport20]

get the code read first

 

[changedman]

hm, 10000 miles, should NOT need plugs THAT fast.
get the code read.

 

[Joe PR5]

ok thanks for the help... were do i go to get the code?

 

[capnsavem]

Hey guys/gals.. my car had a rough idle for the past week. i thought it was bad gas. i used some fuel line cleaner, but i have not used the whole tank yet.. Then today my check engine light came on... what should i do? do you think i should change the plugs or just bring it to mazda? its got 80,000 and no intake exhaust or anything.. I took everything off about 10,000 miles ago.. what do you think???

can the MAF cause this if it's dirty/damaged?

 

[peepsalot]

can the MAF cause this if it's dirty/damaged?

Maybe, but it could be number of things. It's pointless to just guess what it could be when the code can be read for more information on where the problem is coming from.

Just go to the dealer or a shop that has an OBDII code reader. If you aren't sure, call them up ahead of time and see if they have one.

 

[mogi]

autozone, checker, all those parts places usually let you use their OBD II scanners for free

 

[Action Jackson]

The simpliest thing to do is to make sure the gas cap is tight.

Also cleaning the EGR valve might help.

Both are easy and free to do yourself.

But I do agree to get a code reader to check it out too.