Malfunction Indicator Light

[ShUpAC]

Hey guys,

not sure if this has anything to do with anything but my car has been acting rough lately when i turn it on, the rpm is at about 1 - 1.5 when i'm in park, and when i start driving it goes down to normal in a matter of minutes.

This morning when i turned on my car, the usual... rough in idle, but then i put it in reverse, backed up a bit and the "malfunction indicator light" (check engine?) was flashing. I turned the car off, let it sit for a minute, turned it back on and the light went away, but it was rough again for a while.

When i came home, i wanted to check the oil, just in case. the oil was fine, but i noticed that the little black hose that goes from the engine to the air filter box was not connected... i must have been driving around like that for a while.

Could this have been the culprit for the rough idle, and the malfunction light? Did i do any damage to my car?

any help would be appriciated..

[HemiHemi]

Have a similar problem. Light came on then dissapeared after a while. Changed the gas station/brand and the light came back on. Now it's on all the time.
Tried to change the gas sttion again, changed the gas tank cap, reset the code. The light was off for 1 week then it came back on and it's still on now.
Any ideas?

[bruno]

The flashing MIL indicates a misfire (as you have already explained). I'm not sure if the disconnected hose could have caused that, though. Maybe someone else will be able to answer that.

A non-flashing MIL usually indicates an issue with the gas cap. Since it was replaced, it's possible you are not tightening it enough after your fuel fill-ups. Most of us have learned to make sure there are at least 5-7 clicks of the cap before stopping. The MIL will normally turn off by itself after so many miles of driving.

bruno

[Doctor No]

Cycle Key ON Off ON Off ON quickly to find code that set light.It will still be in memory. Find code descriptions on this forum also.

[HemiHemi]

Bruno:
Great! Thanks for the info. I will make sure the cap is turned a few times with clicks.Being in NJ with full service gas stations, sometimes I just forget to get out of the car and check it
Other than that, what a great car!!!!!

Will get the a new one this year maybe. Anybody knows when they plan a body redesign (if they do)?

Thanks

Originally Posted by bruno

The flashing MIL indicates a misfire (as you have already explained). I'm not sure if the disconnected hose could have caused that, though. Maybe someone else will be able to answer that.

A non-flashing MIL usually indicates an issue with the gas cap. Since it was replaced, it's possible you are not tightening it enough after your fuel fill-ups. Most of us have learned to make sure there are at least 5-7 clicks of the cap before stopping. The MIL will normally turn off by itself after so many miles of driving.

bruno

[HemiHemi]

ahhh, the secret hand shake on the codes Very useful, didn't know about that. Thanks a lot!