"Service engine soon" light on

[rick390]

Driving my 97' Metro home last night and a "service engine soon" light came on. I don't have an owner's manual, wish I could find one. Anyone know what that particular light means? Car seems to be running fine. I've only had it for a few weeks.

[SVOboy]

Some vehicles (dunno about the metro) have a light that comes on at certain service intervals (ie, 30k, 60k, 100k). Might be that.

[dcb]

Go to autozone or advance or somewhere and get borrow their code reader and then take those codes it spits out over to TeamSwift • Index page .

[rick390]

My odometer reads 154,742. Had the oil changed two weeks ago. I'm worried that this may be the equivalent of a "check engine" light.

[rick390]

Good idea I'll try and get the code checked if that what it is.

[Johnny Mullet]

Just post what the code is here and I can help you out.

[bennelson]

If you were planning on getting a Scangauge anyways, now would be a great time.

It will read codes, and you can reset them too.

I saved my wife some trouble the other day by having her read me a code form her car over the phone. Was able to figure out that it was just a loose gas cap!

Handy feature to have!

[cfg83]

rick390 -

Originally Posted by dcb

Go to autozone or advance or somewhere and get borrow their code reader and then take those codes it spits out over to TeamSwift • Index page .

ditto. Autozone does this for free.

CarloSW2

[texanidiot25]

They'll tell you what the code is, and give you a print out in store...

No need to make more work out of it by borrowing (which they probably won't let you) the reader, then coming home and finding the code.

But, often times it's an emissions related problem over most problems. The ECU regularly runs test on the car, and if it fails a test it throws the check engine light. Then it will test the specific problem over and over, and if it passes the test (X) amount of times, it will go out. But, even if things are in check, it can take a week or two of driving to get rid of the trouble code. You can have them clear the codes at a parts store probably, and just see if it comes back on.

[rick390]

I took it to the local Schuck's auto parts store. They were kind enough to read the code for me. The code was P0420, " catalytic system efficiency below threshold (Bank 1)". So there it is ladies and germs. I guess I need a new cat. Wonder what that feline will set me back.

[dcb]

It could also be an exhaust leak (or a wonky o2 sensor).

[texanidiot25]

Originally Posted by rick390

I took it to the local Schuck's auto parts store. They were kind enough to read the code for me. The code was P0420, " catalytic system efficiency below threshold (Bank 1)". So there it is ladies and germs. I guess I need a new cat. Wonder what that feline will set me back.

$70-ish I think it was for the one on our GMC Jimmy. They cause hell on a motor when they do kick the bucket.

How many miles on your car btw?

[Johnny Mullet]

I have that code all the time. Oh wait................


The code will not effect driveability, but to stay legal, I would replace the cat. I bought one for mine used for $50.00, but never put it on yet.

[rick390]

I guess I'm gonna be a regular at my local wrecking yard. I had to pick up a couple of rims from them. My Metro came with some bent ones.

[rick390]

Gassed up my Metro yesterday and the "service engine soon" light went out and has not come back on. Go figure

[joan]

Hi guys,

In my husbands car the service light came on, he tried to solve it, but with no success, i found this solution -
Service light - FixYa

& it worked :-)
My first car fix ever!!!
Joan.

[Johnny Mullet]

Good for you joan! The "Service Light" is different from the "Check Engine" light on most vehicles, but learning to reset them on different vehicles can be a real pain.

Hope to see you around more often

[MetroMPG]

Just FYI, my Firefly #1 had the same code.

The previous owner replaced the cat several months before I got the car, but the light came back within a few months.

When I got the car, a little digging revealed the root cause was an old O2 sensor which was permitting a rich condition and higher cat temps (fuel burning on the catalyst). That's what killed them.

[RiseAbove]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Just FYI, my Firefly #1 had the same code.

The previous owner replaced the cat several months before I got the car, but the light came back within a few months.

When I got the car, a little digging revealed the root cause was an old O2 sensor which was permitting a rich condition and higher cat temps (fuel burning on the catalyst). That's what killed them.

I still maintain that curiousity killed the cat...

[Peter7307]

Originally Posted by joan

Hi guys,

& it worked :-)
My first car fix ever!!!
Joan.

Congratulations and Welcome as well.
Enjoy your stay.

Cheers , Pete.