Topic: Check Engine Light, where to diagnose

[jaman]

I have a 2003 Mazda P5 and the check engine light (CEL) just went on. Besides the CEL, car is running fine. I don't want to go to the dealer and pay $90 for them to read it, are there any places that do it cheaper (or free)? I thought I recall seeing somewhere that autoparts stores sometimes do it for cheap, anybody did that?

[blur911]

I have a 2003 Mazda P5 and the check engine light (CEL) just went on. Besides the CEL, car is running fine. I don't want to go to the dealer and pay $90 for them to read it, are there any places that do it cheaper (or free)? I thought I recall seeing somewhere that autoparts stores sometimes do it for cheap, anybody did that?

You can usually buy a scanner for $90 or less and do it yourself.  There were allegedly some parts places that scan for free, but rumour has it it's hard to find in Canada for liability reasons.

[johngenx]

You can usually buy a scanner for $90 or less and do it yourself.  There were allegedly some parts places that scan for free, but rumour has it it's hard to find in Canada for liability reasons because we like to get over and charged an hours labour for something that takes less than two minutes.

Fixed.

[articsteve]

I have a 2003 Mazda P5 and the check engine light (CEL) just went on. Besides the CEL, car is running fine. I don't want to go to the dealer and pay $90 for them to read it, are there any places that do it cheaper (or free)? I thought I recall seeing somewhere that autoparts stores sometimes do it for cheap, anybody did that?

Well then leave it.  When is your next Drive Clean ordeal?  That test will tell you/give you an idea of what's going on.  Could be a failing gas cap.  Who knows.

No free check engine service in Ontario that I know of.  You might want to think about buying a reader like suggested.  This will not be the only time. 

[Careener]

O2 sensor (most likely) or EGR... next question?   

[safristi]

CENSORED IN CANADA.............pity.................bald faced theft IMHO.........

[jaman]

I went on Ebay and there a ton of OBDII readers. I'm thinking of getting one that is esentially a cable that allows you to link-up with a laptop (USB), and you get a CD with some software. With shipping, it works out to about $35.

I'm guessing that it is the O₂ sensor as the drivability and (idle) are fine (usually not the case with EGR).

I guess we'll see what happens.

[Giant Dwarf]

First, make sure your gas cap is properly tightened.  That can trigger a CEL if it isn't.

[safristi]

First, make sure your gas cap is properly tightened.  That can trigger a CEL if it isn't.

.....


 WOT about the CAR's GAS CAP?.............................

[mrthompson]

 

[jaman]

Well, on the way home yesterday the CEL went off on it's own. I guess it was nothing serious. Nevertheless, I'll probably invest in an OBDII reader sooner rather than later.

[1TSX]

Our check engine light came on also on our P5... I swore it was our gas cap, so I went to the dealer and told them to clear the code for me. $30.

It came back on a couple days later. It turned out that the CDCV valve (canister drain cut valve) wasn't working. 

Here is a good thread.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79301

[safristi]

..to clear the code fer FREE send $100 to Saf..................d'oh just undo the battery fer 5 minutes.........................yeah ya gotta re time the clock and reset yer Hip HOP stations........... .......................



  I doan wanna see yer CEL forever......................tamarra is gonna be fer shizzle...and yer Oooh twoo sensories .....are gonna bust a gas Cap on yer..................


 man these baggie pants and  bling is givin' me the Operatics....................

[davidy]

Princess Auto sells inexpensive OBDII readers when on sale. They are good for most vehicles that are 1996 and newer. These readers are good for diagnosis and clearing out the codes.

Dave

[vdk]

Our check engine light came on also on our P5... I swore it was our gas cap, so I went to the dealer and told them to clear the code for me. $30.

It came back on a couple days later. It turned out that the CDCV valve (canister drain cut valve) wasn't working. 

Here is a good thread.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79301

Interesting. So Mazda clears CEL codes? The 2 VW dealers I went to wouldn't clear without proper diagnosis since they would be responsible for any future problems. It went out on it's own in the end.