Intermittent Check Engine Light.
Check engine light has came on and off intermittently for the last month. Had local parts store scan for the code, and error code was P0013. Sometimes the car will idle rough when the A/C is on, but other than that no symptoms. Took car to dealer, but that day the light wasn't on. How ugent of an issue is this? How would I get it repaired or diagnosed if it does need to be fixed and the light isn't on? So far I haven't seen any specific situation for the light to come on.
My car has 80000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. The P0013 code very common in this engine. This is due to a bad variable camshaft solenoid on the exhaust cam. These fail all of the time. It allows the computer to adjust valve timing for better economy and performance. This will cause the issues you are having. Replace the solenoid and the car should work fine afterwards. If you want to have this done, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose the Check Engine Light and make the correct repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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But, there are other possible causes of intermittent illumination of the Check Engine Light such as failures in engine sensors, intermittent misfires, and faults with sticky or stuck valves such as in the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) system or the EVAP system.
A check engine light will shut itself off if the condition that caused it is remedied. So, if your converter is marginal, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, which creates high demand for the converter, that may have turned on the check engine light.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Cobalt has a check engine light are an emissions system component, a sensor, or a catalytic converter. Search our network of RepairPal Certified shops near you to speak with a technician about your issue.
Reset A Check Engine Light: Two Techniques
Start the car, let it run for one second, and then turn it off. Let the engine sit quietly for two to three seconds, and then repeat the whole process two more times.
Will your check engine light turn off by itself? In most cases, successfully repairing the issue that caused your light to come on will cause the check engine light to turn off automatically—but only after 10 to 20 “cycles”.
Because the sensor can no longer regulate the fuel mixture, a car`s emissions will go up. While O2 Sensors are robust, they are exposed to the elements, and will deteriorate. Once this happens, the sensor will throw a fault, and thus the Check Engine light comes on.
Check your gas cap first. Many vehicles have a loose gas cap indicator that will be triggered before your check engine light comes on. If your gas cap is loose or the seal is not tight, the vapor leakage can cause your fuel system to trigger the check engine light.
A failing catalytic converter is a common cause of check engine lights turning on, and it can lead to a decrease in fuel economy and engine performance.
Oxygen sensors are a common cause of “check engine” lights. This sensor is located in the emission control system of your car, and is standard on all vehicles manufactured after 1980. The oxygen sensors are used to ensure that your engine is burning the correct amount of fuel, and running at peak performance.
The check engine light illuminates when your vehicle`s computer believes there is a problem that could affect — or is affecting — your car`s emissions control system. When the light comes on, one or more diagnostic trouble codes are stored in the car`s computer. These codes will stay there even if the light goes out.
It is possible that your automobile`s check engine light has come on because of a false alarm. This being said, if the engine control module (ECM) turned on the check engine light for no reason, the ECM could be malfunctioning itself. This crucial part is the heart of your automobile.
The car`s internal computer only resets after a set period where it checks all of its sensors once more. The reset can happen automatically after around 10 to 20 cycles. A cycle is a phase where you turn on the car and turn it off again. For other vehicles, you`ll have to drive around 50 to 100 miles before it resets.
While it`s often assumed that the check engine light (CEL) is an indication of a major mechanical issue, this isn`t always the case. In fact, according to many professional mechanics, a warning light can be caused by a minor electrical glitch.
Can you drive a car with the engine light on? It`s okay to drive for a few miles, but be sure to schedule an inspection of the engine as soon as possible. If the check engine light comes on while you`re driving, don`t panic! Pay attention and see if the car is driving any differently than normal.
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