check engine light

[swac95]

I have a 2002 protege and me check engine light came on and auto zone said it could be in the gas cap or something else. Advanced auto said it was the gas cap. Before I take my old gas cap off because it's tied on, will the light go off when I do replace it or does it have to be reset, if it does can I do it my self? The only thing I did before the light came on was check the transmission fluid and check the air filter. The gas got a little low a day or two before the light came on.

 

[jeg0024]

If they said the code was for the gas cap then make sure your cap(your old cap, you probably dont need a new one) is tightened past 3 clicks and then disconnect the negitive battery terminal for 20min and when you hook it back up start your car up and the light will be gone. If it comes back it may be something else, but more than likley it will stay off.

 

[Dino1956]

If they said the code was for the gas cap then make sure your cap(your old cap, you probably dont need a new one) is tightened past 3 clicks and then disconnect the negitive battery terminal for 20min and when you hook it back up start your car up and the light will be gone. If it comes back it may be something else, but more than likley it will stay off.

Jeg, the other day I was touching + terminal on my battery and it disconnected. Apparently the guy who sold me the car left it loose. Of course it reset the clock on my radio but my question is, could disconnecting the + harm anything?

 

[Little Beavis]

Jeg, the other day I was touching + terminal on my battery and it disconnected. Apparently the guy who sold me the car left it loose. Of course it reset the clock on my radio but my question is, could disconnecting the + harm anything?

no

 

[jeg0024]

Nope, but just as it resets your radio it will reset your comp as well and that CEL should go away, if it comes back I would try getting another cap.

 

[swac95]

lights out

The engine light went out. really I think when my low gas warning light came on the check engine light went out. The only other thing I did was wiggle the hoses by the air filter. It's been a few days now and the lights still out, hopefully for good. I put some octane boost is the tank as a precaution.

 

[jeg0024]

The engine light went out. really I think when my low gas warning light came on the check engine light went out. The only other thing I did was wiggle the hoses by the air filter. It's been a few days now and the lights still out, hopefully for good. I put some octane boost is the tank as a precaution.

Make sure that gas cap is tight

 

[yinkoshaumer]

Yeah, I think it's kind of silly to through a general "check engine" when it's just a gas cap. Wouldn't another idiot light right on the gas gauge to tell you if your cap is on or not be sufficient? And there are also other mind sets where you get a different light for everything, like in Volvos, now that's irritating.