Check Engine Light is on

[highenuff14]

Hello,

We have an 09 Mazda5 Touring and it just hit 15xxx miles. We notice the CEL has come on and stayed on for the past week or so. Is this a reminder for the 15k maintenance, or is there something wrong with the car? If it's a preset reminder for 15k, is there a way to turn it off manually?

Thanks in advance.

 

[destineal]

I would go get the codes read at autozone/advancedautoparts

 

[destineal]

Were do you live?

 

[Rocket]

Most common cause is not putting the gas cap on properly

 

[flcruising]

To answer your question...No, the CEL is not a maintenace reminder in any vehicle. It means the OBD system has detected a condition that is outside of normal parameters and you need to get it checked. '09 with 15k is well within the full coverage warranty period. As suggested, it could be your gas cap. Only way to tell for sure is to pull the code. Don't ignore a CEL.

 

[thaxman]

+1 on th egas cap, or the weak battery. Never had the gas cap issue, but many have found the OE battery is junk. I got my car @27000 miles w/a repl. batt.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I would go get the codes read at autozone/advancedautoparts

+1

You can disconnect the battery for ~5 mins then step on the brake for a few seconds to ensure the circuits are fully discharged. This will rest the ECU (CEL light and your radio preset and possible security codes –if you have anything that needs it). Drive for a little bit and see if it comes back on. If it comes back on, get it checked. Not all CEL lights mean catastrophic problems but you should at least find out what is wrong before you keep driving it.

 

[highenuff14]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Here is the deal. I live in California and there is a law that prohibits auto parts stores from lending out OBDII scanners. So we took the car to the dealership. They pulled the code and found that it was code P0456 - gas cab was left loose.
Now, here is my question. If the gas cab was not properly tighten for a week, then I fill up a week later and properly tighten the gas cab this time around. Wouldn't the CEL disappear on its own?

 

[thaxman]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Here is the deal. I live in California and there is a law that prohibits auto parts stores from lending out OBDII scanners. So we took the car to the dealership. They pulled the code and found that it was code P0456 - gas cab was left loose.
Now, here is my question. If the gas cab was not properly tighten for a week, then I fill up a week later and properly tighten the gas cab this time around. Wouldn't the CEL disappear on its own?

I don't think that works that way anymore. I think that when the gas cap throws a code, it remains that way 4ever until reset.

 

[JarridLem]

My CEL came on about a month ago and tried the gas cap to no avail. But while I was changing my oil I noticed that my dip stick wasn't seated properly. I also noticed a light film of oil over some of the engine compartment. Well took care of that and the CEL went off.

 

[dishe]

I don't think that works that way anymore. I think that when the gas cap throws a code, it remains that way 4ever until reset.

My light just came on while on a 60 mile trip to/from NYC. I didn't really have a chance to bring it somewhere to pull the code, but I immediately checked the gas cap and found it improperly seated. Funny thing is that it must have been like that for nearly a week before it came on since I hadn't gotten gas recently. Odd.

Now that I reseated the cap, I figured it would go off on its own like my 01 Sentra does. Its been about a week since then, and I filled up with gas again, making sure the attendant properly seated it this time (stupid NJ law states that you're not allowed to pump your own gas!), and its still on.

Thaxman, why would it stay forever until reset? My Nissan used to reset, and JarridLem says he found some sort of issue and the CEL went off on its own as well.
I signed on here today to see if maybe it was normal for the CEL to stay on a couple of fillups before turned back off, but this is the first I've heard of a light that would stay on forever until cleared manually...

 

[flcruising]

I wouldn't hesitate to unhook the battery in this situation - as long as I'm sure it's gas cap related.

 

[icpeanuts]

MY CEL light just came on. It came on when I turn on the car, I check the Oil Cap and it seems ok. I unscrew it an screw it back. I have a 2010 with 3600 mile. Could this be an indicator that I need to change my engine Oil? I still have not, planning to this weekend. What else can I do other than going to the dealer? Is this cover under the warranty?

 

[SuperJETT]

@3600 miles, just about everything should be covered under warranty except gas and crashes. Take it to the dealer.

 

[flcruising]

It's apparent icpeanuts didn't even read this thread...

 

[icpeanuts]

I did read the thread, thanks for the info. I was wondering if there is something else that can be checked. I will bring it to the dealer.

 

[DKaz]

Read the thread. Put the GAS cap on properly, reset the ECU, if the CEL still comes on, go to dealer to get it checked.

 

[dishe]

incidentally, I did NOT reset my battery, the CEL has been on for weeks from the $%#! gas cap, and yesterday it finally shut off.

...or burnt out. LOL.