Tracker CEL light driving me crazy!
 

1998 Tracker, 174k KMs (108k miles), 1.6L 16V. Every once in a while I would get the Check Engine Light coming on, usually on the highway. There were some ignition issues at the time, so I just figured it was related to that. But, now that it's all sorted out and runs great, the light is coming on more and more. I put a scanner on it and it always comes up as a generic EGR fault (I think the code is P0400). So I pulled the EGR valve off, expecting it to be full of crud. Nope, it sure wasn't, and the ports coming out of the cylinder head were clean too. So, any ideas? The thing runs like a top, it's never been messed with or modified, but the light is coming on every 2 or 3 days now if I take it on the highway. :snail:

A slight vac leak to the controller? Possibly? And the valve could just be getting lazy.

I have experience with my '00 intrepid, so that's what I will speak on. The computer tells the valve to open then watches the o2 sensors for the expected change, if no change occurs a fault code is set. If the passages are open, it could be the valve not working or possibly the oxygen sensors getting old and not so precise.

Can't you get some sort of emulator to replace the EGR controller? I've seen emulators for almost every electronic component of engines, since they're widely used for aftermarket CNG conversions in other countries...

Wish I could help, my cel light is connected to a toggle switch mounted behind the driver side speaker. :eek:

the vacuum solenoid could be going; use an ohm meter and check to make sure the body and coil aren't grounding out.

or it could be a loose wire, wiggle some wires and see if you can set it off.

Man I think we learned automotive repair at the same place lol.

mine 1993 model, comes on every so many miles and then goes back off.


its as if the steal-er/ship wants to make more $$$$$

i found a artical a long time back that the dealer had the light come on at 50 75 100 125 to get people to come in...

its a 26 avrege road rating and im pulling 29/35 mpg all year, so i see no need for repairs..

I came across this video on the tracker site. Seems the check engine light and code 51 isnt a generic code to get you to go back to the shop. This video shows how to check actual error codes, clear them and if none exist how to disable the check engine light that comes on due to certain miles accumulated as mentioned above.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs8S6g0snmE

Interesting stuff! Sadly, mine is a '98 so it's OBD2, and I can clear the code, it just randomly comes on again a few days later. I'll remember that little white switch under the dash though, this probably won't be the last Tracker I have!