[sipper]

Warranty expired. Can you reset the check engine light yourself, as Dealer has done twice, or are we stuck paying for it each time. Thanks. :?

 

[Delta Flyer]

I'd love to know myself. Unless your are sure failure to tighten the gas cap caused the Check Engine light to activate, it's a good idea to let the dealer diagnois it. There are hundreds of possiblities.

 

[Guest]

Hi Sipper:

___If you have a laptop, might I suggest you read an article on this particular OBD2 scan tool. It’s not as pretty as the latest Autotap scan tool but at $122.00, it costs just 2/3 of the prettier product. Here is OBD2’s direct link.

___You can read more about the Autotap product here and here.

___Just one dealer visit could easily pay for the product if that helps ... I would recommend sharing it with a local car enthusiast to help defray the cost somewhat if that helps as well.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:294l5p15]Waynegerdes[email protected][/email:294l5p15]

 

[darren539]

I have had my check engine light come up around 5 or 6 times (first one came immediately after the service recall for the EMC module on my 2000 Insight). Since it was still under warranty, they claimed it was a faulty oxygen sensor and replaced that. A few weeks later the light came up again. Before I had a chance to take it back in, the light turned itself off.

Since then, it has happened a few more times, and the check engine light has turned itself off within the next 3-7 days. Take a look at the "problems or non-problems" section at http://www.insightcentral.net/KB/faq-co ... heckEngine for more information about this problem. If your light stays on for longer than this, you should take it in.

 

[Sparky5501]

Don't forget that your check engine light will come on (blink for five seconds or so) every 6000 miles to remind you of oil changes.

Yes, there is a section in the owners manual that gives the procedure to turn it off.

 

[james]

There are also some freeware scan tools for linux that I've seen but not yet tried - though you do have to build or buy a connector.

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Don't forget that your check engine light will come on (blink for five seconds or so) every 6000 miles to remind you of oil changes.

Yes, there is a section in the owners manual that gives the procedure to turn it off.

Color and blinking is correct, but its the maintenance required light you refer to.

The MIL (SAE's definition of the Check Engine Light) is different and potentially requires more immediate attention.

Clearing it only requires temporary disconnection (60 sec or so) of the 12v battery. However, on the Insight I believe this also causes a IMA battery Regen. Something that should not be routinely forced. And most Insight drivers don't like the temporary lower MPG / power during the event. You will make diagnosis of the MIL event impossible. There are several dozen "codes" that cause the MIL to come on. And none will be retrievable after a reset.

Several have an early warning potential of impending secondary damage. _Generally_ you are safe for an indeterminate amount of time to ignore the MIL as long as there is no noticeable seat of the pants performance losses. There are uncommon exceptions to this generality so do it at your own risk! _Anytime_ there is a distinct loss of performance or power _and_ the MIL comes on in response, the car should not be driven. There are specific instructions in the owners manuals of most cars for this situation, usually slower and limit miles, but the risk of secondary ($$$) damage is not zero.