Topic: Car question (Read 1612 times)

Khalee1 · « **on:** September 02, 2009, 07:39:41 pm »

I got a 91 buick century, just got all the fluids and fliters changed out on it but the check engine light still keeps coming on, but it only does it when I'm driving at highway speeds, it does smoke a little so could it meen the muffler needs changing yet it realy is not all that loud.

Planing on going back east this weekend but if it somthing I got to get fixed right now then I might have to wait till my vacation in November to go back east.

Course it should'nt cost me more than a couple hundred bucks for a new muffler right to get it changed out if that is what it is.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2009, 07:42:18 pm »

That check engine light could be any number of problems. Anything from a malfunctioning sensor to engine timing problems. The only real way to diagnose it is to plug it into a diagnostic computer.

Does a 91 Century have a diagnostic computer?

Corbomite · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2009, 08:35:23 pm »

Pun is right. If the car is running well otherwise (good oil pressure, not overheating, battery charging) then the light is probably caused by the oxygen sensor or the PCV valve being clogged. Neither is terminal, but you shoud get it checked. Sometimes the check engine light comes on at pre-determined mileage intervals to get you to go to the dealer at the correct times for warranty services.

Commander Maxillius · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2009, 11:57:09 am »

Or the diagnostic computer is going senile and is trying to tell you to give it a rest

My 92 Lumina APV tried playing the old and senile bit with the gauges. It would tell me the oil pressure was waay more than 120 but the oil filter comes off at just over 80. Had it looked at and they said the sensor was bad and it costs $125 so I said screw it, I don't need it. None of my other cars had an oil pressure gauge. So I kept driving it and the gauge works now.

I swear, these old GM cars achieve sentience at 200,000 miles

Sirgod · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2009, 01:57:33 pm »

I just hope whatever it is easily workable, so you can come down man.

Stephen

Commander La'ra · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2009, 10:11:25 pm »

My Tundra had the check engine light come on once for no discernible reason. None.

I had it checked. It told me the gas cap was loose. So...it might quite literally be nothing.

Clark Kent · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:49:02 am »

A century, what do you have in there? a 3100 engine? In any event, like said above, the check engine light could be oh so many things. Take it to an Autozone, or whatever chain auto parts store they ahve in your area and they can help you by pluging in a reader to see what the code you are getting is. If it's just a PCV valve it's not a big deal, but it will affect your mileage and engine performance over time, so it's worth getting looked at when you have a chance.

The check engine light on those GMs will flip on over the damndest things though, so don't panic.

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