Got the dreaded check engine light!

[mazdarichie]

It came on about a hour ago when I was just driving down the freeway. It's only got 37,200 miles on it. Any way I can figure on what it is without taking it to a shop and let them charge me just to tell me what is wrong? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,
Richard

 

[jbrewer4639]

go to autozone and pull the code and post it thn we can better help you.

 

[mazdarichie]

Don't have a Autozone around. Can they do it at Oreilly or Napa?

 

[josh182]

I do believe that Napa does it, just go in and ask for a code reading, they should be able to give you a receipt about the problems and causes. Congrats on the miles, I thought mine was low, hit 40k yesterday. Good luck with the code too.

 

[mazdarichie]

Ok. Found a friend with a code reader. First off the check engine light turned itself off. It turned off after I filled up the gas tank. It was only half empty. I remember when I bought this car new the guy told me to make sure I turned the gas cap at least 3 times or I might get the check engine light. Never had problems because of the gas cap. Never had a check engine light before. Anyway the code came back as p0171. And it said system to lean bank 1.

 

[MS3_KIDD]

any mods? bet you 5 bucks your exhaust manifold is cracked

 

[mazdarichie]

Nope, all stock. Never done a thing to it.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

i keep getting the same code bank 1 system to lean and i also and completely stock...does that mean mani might be cracked

 

[MS3_KIDD]

theres a good likely hood. not a definite but likely. exhaust leak right before the 02 sensor and the sensor sees higher amounts of 02 in the exhaust making it think the car is running lean

 

[hornsfan10609]

I get a P0171 every once in a while, stock mani and no cracks, new mani gasket and ARP studs. You may not have any problems at all.

 

[mazdarichie]

I'm thinking I don't now. Ever since I went to the gas station it turned off and has stayed off. Hope it stays that way.

 

[2003.5_MSP]

mine keeps coming on randomly so i doubt yours will stay off if its came on once....but does anyone know where i can get a decent priced steed speed or any other good mani for msp? thanks

 

[hornsfan10609]

It may come back it may not, like I say for a year my car threw it every once in a while and I never had any obvious problems. I haven't seen it come back since installing my FMIC.

 

[mazdarichie]

Well it came back on today. If there is a crack in the manifold could I still get a new one? Or,replace it with a new header. I would try welding it. I build headers for a living. Just know that cast iron can be next to impossible to weld up.

 

[hornsfan10609]

You can weld it, then make relief cuts between the runners to help prevent it from cracking more. It may be missing some of the hardware securing the manifold to the head, my car had 4 bolts broken or missing.

 

[Tuners and Rods]

Bad gas will give you a lean code on occasion

 

[mazdarichie]

Ok, Still having problems. The check engine light goes on and off all the time now. It is running like crap. At a stop light it feels like it wants do stall. Feels real shakey. I replaced the EGR valve about 300 miles ago I did it when it was going through one of it's stages with the check engine light off. It came back on the next day. The exhaust manifold looks great. No cracks, missing bolts or anything. I have just left the heat shield off it for now but this running crappy at idle sucks. Is there any chance the front or rear o2 sensors could be causing this?

 

[ownstar]

Ok, Still having problems. The check engine light goes on and off all the time now. It is running like crap. At a stop light it feels like it wants do stall. Feels real shakey. I replaced the EGR valve about 300 miles ago I did it when it was going through one of it's stages with the check engine light off. It came back on the next day. The exhaust manifold looks great. No cracks, missing bolts or anything. I have just left the heat shield off it for now but this running crappy at idle sucks. Is there any chance the front or rear o2 sensors could be causing this?

do you have a ssafc?

 

[mazdarichie]

What is a ssafc?

 

[ownstar]

its a signal calibrator that allows you to adjust the air fuel ration on our cars. I was asking becuase I had this problem but it was due to some mised boxes in my tune ha. but this may help you, for it to be doing this 1. you have a vaccum leak or 2. running to rich at idle 3. running to lean at idle. what spark plugs are you running? and are they at .28-.31 gap?