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Check engine light


JanDaMan
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Damn, what next. Just got my new tires on & skid plates installed, ready to do some mean cruising but now am getting a yellow check engine light as shown below. Last time I drove it a few weeks ago the same message came on and then went off, but this time it came on after about 10 minutes of driving and stayed on. I looked at the manual as shown below, and I am getting the items shown as #28 and #29, and item #28 seems to indicate a potential emissions issue. This made me wonder about my exhaust. I have the Capristo exhaust system with primary cats still in place and I wonder if anyone gets such warning lights with modified exhausts. I almost always run the exhaust on button #2 on the remote (open exhaust), however I have never had this warning over the past two years until recently. I should have switched to #1 on the remote and drove it for a while to see if there was any change, but I didn't think of it until I just saw the manual. But I know when I started it again after I had turned it off the code was still on the dash (when I start the car it automatically switches to #1 on the remote, which is quiet normal exhaust). ?????

 

35146875135_a17ffd4415_b.jpgCheck Engine by JanDaMan, on Flickr

34336778123_87b0da9985_b.jpgCheck Engine #28 & 29 by JanDaMan, on Flickr

 

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Can you get an obd2 scanner on it to see if it has any codes that you can post? you might also be able to turn the lights off with it? Strange things can turn the mil light on, if I remember the brake light switch can do it.

If that fails try killing the battery for a while and see if the go out and stay out.

 

 

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I don't have a scanner to look for codes, but scheduled next week with Lambo NB to check it out. But in seeing the emissions note for item 28 in the manual I just thought it may have to do something with the aftermarket exhaust acting up. Out of curiosity I may start it up later and see if the lights still show. I may not kill the battery though to try and eliminate the lights so when I take it in the lights still show.

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I don't have a scanner to look for codes, but scheduled next week with Lambo NB to check it out. But in seeing the emissions note for item 28 in the manual I just thought it may have to do something with the aftermarket exhaust acting up. Out of curiosity I may start it up later and see if the lights still show. I may not kill the battery though to try and eliminate the lights so when I take it in the lights still show.

 

Buy a scanner they're about 30 bucks at autozone. If you get the specific code people here can help you diagnose it and save a trip to the dealer.

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Sorry, I kind of have two posts going as someone had a Capistrano exhaust question and I see someone else mentioned gaskets & emissions. I scooted under may car and as noted below I found deteriorating gaskets on both sides, so I suspect this may be the issue. It doesn't look like it goes all the way through the gasket to create an opening, but maybe just enough to cause the dash lights. I do plan to get the scanner tool anyway as that looks to be a useful diagnosis tool, but I didn't get to that just yet. Between this issue, the Murci funky alarm starting issue and issues with my other exotics, I wonder if life would just be easier with a Prius. Maybe so, but boring! Plus I bet nobody gets flashed in a Prius!

 

35002185752_b6717deaf3_b.jpgCapristo Exhaust by JanDaMan, on Flickr

34357629863_0e5845df7d_c.jpgCapristo Gasket by JanDaMan, on Flickr

34780757380_9bdb4b269b_b.jpgCapristo Gasket by JanDaMan, on Flickr

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Well I got a scanner to check the issue, but the scanner instructions say to turn the key ignition on while doing the testing with the scanner plugged in. Is that ok to do on the Murci? I thought leaving the ignition on without the engine running can cause problems after a while in that position (other than just slight battery drain).

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Well I got a scanner to check the issue, but the scanner instructions say to turn the key ignition on while doing the testing with the scanner plugged in. Is that ok to do on the Murci? I thought leaving the ignition on without the engine running can cause problems after a while in that position (other than just slight battery drain).

 

What problems? The scanner takes about 30 seconds to work. I have done it a few times and no issues.

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What problems? The scanner takes about 30 seconds to work. I have done it a few times and no issues.

Being unfamiliar with the scanner, it may take me a little longer (such as a few minutes) to read the instructions while going through the process. My scanner isn't just plug in and read it. You have to use the enter key for various scans, scroll through it to look at any problem codes & probably take a quick iPhone photo of any codes. It looks pretty straightforward, but I still anticipate it may take me a few minutes. I think leaving the key on may only present problems on older cars with points and coils, but I just want to be sure with the Murci since the car itself has some quirky aspects to it.

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I grew balls and did the scan and only P0442 showed up which according to the code book is "EVAP Emissions Control System Leak (Small)". So I still suspect those gaskets as shown above may be the issue, as the other poster indicated he failed smog when his Capristo gaskets went bad. That's unless someone else may have suggestions. Just seems odd to me that those gaskets would trigger a problem code in looking at the exhaust construction in the full photo above where those gaskets are near the end of the exhaust. However there seems to be a connecting pipe too near the end of the exhaust that circles back upward. I called a local Capristo exhaust dealer and they called the company and they said it would take about 3 months to get those gaskets (comes from Italy). WTF, doesn't seem like great customer service on parts for their systems, however it seems you can buy a new $13K full exhaust unit. So just a bit of caution for anyone thinking of that exhaust system. I love the exhaust but not the ability to get parts when needed in a reasonable timeframe. Good news is that I already passed my smog a few weeks ago, and also I suspect I can still drive the car with out causing any damage now that I see what the code is. I was just cautious about driving it not knowing what the warning light was.

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Copper gasket maker works fine for exhaust. I used to blow out metal gaskets on my big turbo STi, used the copper gasket maker in a pinch and it never failed.

 

This stuff:

7160075_ptx_81878_pri_larg.jpg

 

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I grew balls and did the scan and only P0442 showed up which according to the code book is "EVAP Emissions Control System Leak (Small)". So I still suspect those gaskets as shown above may be the issue, as the other poster indicated he failed smog when his Capristo gaskets went bad. That's unless someone else may have suggestions. Just seems odd to me that those gaskets would trigger a problem code in looking at the exhaust construction in the full photo above where those gaskets are near the end of the exhaust. However there seems to be a connecting pipe too near the end of the exhaust that circles back upward. I called a local Capristo exhaust dealer and they called the company and they said it would take about 3 months to get those gaskets (comes from Italy). WTF, doesn't seem like great customer service on parts for their systems, however it seems you can buy a new $13K full exhaust unit. So just a bit of caution for anyone thinking of that exhaust system. I love the exhaust but not the ability to get parts when needed in a reasonable timeframe. Good news is that I already passed my smog a few weeks ago, and also I suspect I can still drive the car with out causing any damage now that I see what the code is. I was just cautious about driving it not knowing what the warning light was.

 

Most small evap leaks are caused by a loose gas cap or missing/deteriorated gas cap gasket.

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Thanks for both the tips. On the gasket maker I suppose I just brush out any loose gasket pieces and fill with some of the gasket maker. I assume it cleans up ok to eventually fit my new gaskets in if I can ever get any. I am now thinking maybe any muffler shop may have such gaskets and maybe it does not need to be from Capriso, unless they are so specific to that sustem.

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Yeah, it's not your exhaust gasket. You won't get a code if that gasket fails.

 

It's probably your gas cap. Take it off, pull out the rubber insert and clean it well, then put on some lube and tighten down well. Then clear the codes and see if it comes back. If it does, you have a leak somewhere else in the gas tank venting system, not the exhaust system.

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Thanks, will check into the gas cap this weekend. Maybe thats all it is. It's funny, on the dash those two lights came on but maybe when the MIL light omes on it also makes the other light come on with it.

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Well I cleared the codes & cleaned the gas cap and started the car and the two warning lights noted above don't show up on the dash now (yeah!! I think). But I wonder does the car need to be run a few times to ensure the code detection system of the car is in the Ready mode? The scanner/code reader manual says "some cars" need to be run a few miles to activate the system in the car so it is in the Ready mode again so it can detect and display warning lights on the dash. I can't ride around right now, so just wondering if anyone knows. When I took the gas cap off the rubber piece had some white substance on it and also some of the metal on the inlet of the gas tank where the cap screws down had some rust color deposits. So I cleaned everything up, added a little spray silicone to the rubber & gave the cap a pretty snug turn in putting it on the car and I am hoping that may be it.

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Yeah, it's not your exhaust gasket. You won't get a code if that gasket fails.

 

It's probably your gas cap. Take it off, pull out the rubber insert and clean it well, then put on some lube and tighten down well. Then clear the codes and see if it comes back. If it does, you have a leak somewhere else in the gas tank venting system, not the exhaust system.

 

100% right, some codes don't come back on right away until the system goes threw it's cycles. You can try letting it idle and scan for "pending codes" if you code reader has that capability.

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Check engine lights are common with the aftermarket exhaust. The lambo system linked to the check engine light is mostly emission related. It's probably just reading a little unburnt fuel because the secondary cat's are gone. There really isn't a way to bypass this. I'm sure the lights will come on and off intermittently.

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Thanks for the additional posts. My scan tool does have a pending code ability too. Next time I plug it in I will look to see if anything shows as pending. I assume if pending shows up on my scan tool that means the car has not gone through the required drive cycle yet to be in the "ready" mode to detect malfunctions; however the scan tool can still read the malfunctions as "pending"?

 

A few 20 mile drives to Huntington/Laguna I suspect will eventually get the car in the ready mode. I googled but no luck finding the required drive cycle for the LP640 to get it in ready mode. No big deal, I have 2 years before my next smog test. If the dash light comes on again after driving it for a bit then I will probably just take it in. In the meantime I will put some sealant on those muffler gaskets too until I can get a couple new gaskets, because those need attention anyway.

 

Thanks for the input on the scan tool, etc. Only $19 from Pepboys, and can use it on my other cars too.

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Thanks for the additional posts. My scan tool does have a pending code ability too. Next time I plug it in I will look to see if anything shows as pending. I assume if pending shows up on my scan tool that means the car has not gone through the required drive cycle yet to be in the "ready" mode to detect malfunctions; however the scan tool can still read the malfunctions as "pending"?

 

A few 20 mile drives to Huntington/Laguna I suspect will eventually get the car in the ready mode. I googled but no luck finding the required drive cycle for the LP640 to get it in ready mode. No big deal, I have 2 years before my next smog test. If the dash light comes on again after driving it for a bit then I will probably just take it in. In the meantime I will put some sealant on those muffler gaskets too until I can get a couple new gaskets, because those need attention anyway.

 

Thanks for the input on the scan tool, etc. Only $19 from Pepboys, and can use it on my other cars too.

 

If pending codes are present then it will more then likely reilluminate your engine light. Evap related codes could take up to 3 drive cycles sometimes.

 

 

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Check engine lights are common with the aftermarket exhaust. The lambo system linked to the check engine light is mostly emission related. It's probably just reading a little unburnt fuel because the secondary cat's are gone. There really isn't a way to bypass this. I'm sure the lights will come on and off intermittently.

 

I have tried many exhaust combos with changes to the primary cats, secondary cats, dump valves, mufflers, and tips and I have never gotten a check engine light.

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I have tried many exhaust combos with changes to the primary cats, secondary cats, dump valves, mufflers, and tips and I have never gotten a check engine light.

It may have a lot to do with your elevation I think. At higher elevation there is less air intake. So we get cel's (rich codes) even with factory exhaust that come and go intermittently.

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