Check Engine light on?

Question

Okay, so I have a 2004 Dodge Neon SXT.

My check engine light is on, and not sure why... The car was low on oil, and I put some in. And the light still didn t go off... And earlier today, the engine was "skipping" when I was accelerating. Wouldn t let me go over 2k RPMS without it skipping. It did quit, but the light is still on. What do you think could be causing this?

Answer 1

Low oil doesn't trigger the CEL.



Since you don't seem to want to get the code read, my guess would be that you have a dirty MAF (based on the rough acceleration). Clean it with an MAF spray cleaner and see what happens.

Answer 2

An idiot that doesn't maintain their vehicle is the cause.

Go get the codes read at an auto parts store to find out why the CEL came on. You probably have misfire codes. Then have a mechanic tune up the motor and check it for any other reason the motor might be misfiring.

Answer 3

Since the check eng light is on, the FIRST step should be getting the codes read.

Answer 4

look under the hood while the engine is running and listen to hear if anything sounds out of the ordinary. My Neon blew out it's spark plug once after I had them changed. it turned out the guy cross threaded one of the spark plugs in the engines aluminum head. I had to have a mechanic put in a thread insert to fix the problem.

Answer 5

Get the codes read. I am not clear on if you are still driving it. You say it quit, but did is start back up?

Regardless, do not drive it or try to start it. Get it towed to a shop.

How many miles on the vehicle and how many when you bought it?

When was the timing belt last changed? My guess is the timing belt is slipping.

But it could be any number of things from a bad battery, battery connections are bad, or alternator, bad coil pack/spark plug/spark plug wire, fuel filter fully clogged, fuel pump is failing, etc.

Probably not the issues, but worth looking at,

Inspect the serpentine belt, air in take hose, vacuum lines.

Answer 6

Evaporative emission control. Probably the purge valve is stuck open. Mine does it when I overfill the gas tank. My owners manual says that when fueling, not to add more fuel when the nozzle clicks off. I have a habit of topping off though and it messes with my purge valve.

Answer 7

Oil will not trigger a Check Engine Light. It will come on as a result of any of over a thousand conditions, which require an expert to properly evaluate.



I no longer recommend people have auto parts stores read their OBD codes. They can pull the codes as well as anybody else, and can tell you the code definition, but that is a long way from knowing what is going on. Most codes that mention an O2 sensor are not caused by a bad sensor but auto parts stores will sell you the sensor anyway.



The best approach is to take it to your mechanic. He will figure out what is going on more quickly (and inexpensively) than random parts guys will and he won't introduce new problems.

Answer 8

No one here can see it. Have the codes read that set the check engine light. It will give you a clue as to the problem.