I won't lie: I hate going to the doctor. Of course, I haven't been sick since last winter, but I haven't been to the doctor since 2001, in a moment of weakness, when someone else called the doctor for me and made me go. I don't know why I hate it so much. Part of it is the whole waiting room process. Part of it is the intrusive questions. Part of it is the money issue.
Because I hate seeking medical attention, I'm a strong believer in self medication. Whether it's a tylenol and a comtrex or a lot of water and a long nap, I generally just let my immune system take care of me.
Monday morning, as I was making the long commute from Nacogdoches to Monroe, my check engine light came on in my car. It was about 6:30 in the morning and I was only 15 minutes away from Nacogdoches. I had to be at work at 10 and I was expecting traffic issues in Shreveport, so I was short on time. I decided to take my chances. I drove on to Center, TX (about 20 miles since the light came on) and stopped at a gas station. I open the hood, and being that steriotypical female driver, I think to myself, "the engine looks alright to me." I checked the oil. I checked the water. The engine wasn't overheating, so I just moved on.
I made it to work just on time. The light was still on and there were still no other symptoms. I asked some guys at work if they had any advice and they said if it wasn't the oil or the coolant, it was probably okay to keep driving for a few days. I thought I'd try the self-healing method that works so well for me when I'm sick. Going to a mechanic is as bad as going to the doctor. If you ignore the problem, it will go away, right?
Right! The car magically fixed itself! The light just went away. Hopefully, it won't have a relapse.
Now, if only I could get that tail light to replace itself...
I've had the "Check Engine" light come on a few times in my car. Usually it's due to just the gas cap not screwed on tight enough, but I have had my alternator go out after the light came on and off. There seems to be a range of problems that light covers.
Posted by: Rex at July 23, 2004 02:32 PMusually it's environmental emissions that make that stupid thing come on. it's triggered and never goes off.
Posted by: at July 23, 2004 07:17 PMI think it's a conspiracy on the part of the manufacturer. They set the light to come on at pre-programmed intervals in an effort to reduce the confidence you have in the reliability of your car. Therefor making you purchase a new one much sooner than you might have otherwise. Then again, it could be that you need to have your air filter replaced; just like the helpful people at Jiffy Lube always recommend.
Posted by: Mike at July 25, 2004 12:21 PMOur car (that is basically the same as yours) does the same thing. We took it into the shop after a couple of weeks of the engine light going on and off and they had to clean something out of the engine. Something about carbon build-up. I know that sounds incredibly ignorant, but I can't remember everything they said. It only cost us about $65 I think - so it is definitely worth it not to have bigger engine problems that might come up if not tended to.
Posted by: Lisa at July 29, 2004 09:43 PM'Check Engine' seems like a really vague way to go about telling someone there is a problem. What, I have to check the whole thing?! Imagine if my washing machine had a light that said 'Check Washing Machine'. At least give me a place to start checking!
Posted by: Patrick at July 30, 2004 11:18 AMthe Check Engine light comes on often in my husband's car, because of loose wiring issues. Since it's a manual, I just turn the car off and then on again as I'm cruising down the highway. It usually fixes it.
Posted by: Jeannette at August 11, 2004 10:36 AM