Check Engine Light

roboticboredom · July 2, 2008

My check engine light just came on with only 20k miles... does that even sound right!?

I called the dealer since its under warranty and they are like as long as its not blinking u can still drive on it and the soonest they can get me in is monday next week.

I am a little annoyed since i dont like driving on a engine with issues, usually its doesnt help anything.

But then again i have no idea what makes the check engine lights come on on these newer trucks, soooo many sensors.

But the engine is running like $hit too... well not totally but its a little rough. I noticed it running bad before the light came on then on my way home from work the light came on... any ideas??

Do these trucks have o2 sensors that go out like nobodys business like honda?? oooooor something...

yeah i got nothin..

-Beth

SoCalChris · July 2, 2008

Almost any auto parts store will have an OBDII scanner that they will let you use for free to see why the light is on. You can also buy them fairly cheaply (About $30 for the lowest model) from Harbor Freight if you'd rather have your own.

merlin5577 · July 3, 2008

If you have an autozone near you they will scan the computer and give you a print off with the code and what it means. Good luck.

TooTall1 · July 3, 2008

Your local dealer that you bought your truck from puts you off like that on warranty work and GM wonders why it's stock is at an all time low

Zembonez · July 3, 2008

It could be as simple as a tank of bad gas. Leaving the fuel cap loose will also set a light. the CEL can come on for many reasons. 20K has exactly nothing to do with it. Have somebody pull the code and see what it is before you decide your truck is self-destructing.

StoneCutter · July 3, 2008

Try another dealer. It bugged the heck out of me when I had a CEL on in my truck. I went to the dealer who would look at it in a reasonable amount of time, so I didn't have to worry about it.

roboticboredom · July 8, 2008

Well i went to two different Shucks auto stores and my obdII plug in must be either not compatible or just really finicky like the rest of my truck.

So no matter.... today went to the dealership and they got it to work and said that the check engine light was from the fuel vent solenoid being broken and stuck in the open position.

Second the front driver side bearing i thought was bad was really an intermediate steering column damaged and making noise and vibrations when i turn. So they are ordering parts and i have to go back friday. The first guy that helped me was really good the second was like... UGh NOT explaining shit. He was giving me very vague ball park answers - i suspect because i was a girl and he probably figured i wouldn't get what he was talking about anyways. I was a little annoyed to say the least.

i asked where exactly the solenoid vented into and he said "the engine" ... i was like ok... but where in the engine? like into the cylinders? intake manifold?? valve cover - where... and he was like "into the engine"

So where does it vent to and would it make the engine idle rough??

Because they said they couldn't get it to duplicate the problem and they didn't seem to think that would cause it.

So to make my truck feel better since he's a little under the weather i just spent about 5 hours clay baring, waxing and detailing it. i am BEAT. And re-attaching the spare tire AND putting the cover back on the bed for gas mileage.

Time for a cold one and some TV.