Q: Check Engine Light came on

asked by on February 18, 2016

The Check Engine Light came on and the car began to skip, and seemed idled up. I think it may be the 02 sensor.

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

It sounds like you have a pretty bad misfire. While a faulty O2 sensor could be the cause, it is not the most likely. A misfire happen can be caused by anything that prevents the air/fuel mixture from igniting properly inside the combustion chamber. This could be anything from worn spark plugs, to an engine mechanical problem. The first thing to do is to retrieve the stored Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). This will provide a starting point for the diagnostic procedure. I suggest you have a trained professional with dedicated test equipment find the cause of the Check Engine Light illumination, and recommend the best path to repair. The team at YourMechanic is an excellent option.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car vibrating in park and reverse
On the Honda Civics the passenger side motor mounts are known to fail and can cause the issues of vibration that you are experiencing. These mounts are fluid filled, and often when they fail, you will notice a small amount...
Bad gas mileage
Hi there. The fuel mileage is never great in this car, but this is rather low. Most of the time if it is running fine and has recently dropped off it is because or a dirty air filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/common-signs-of-a-dirty-air-filter) or...
The car won't start, battery and starter replaced
Thanks for writing in about your 1997 Lexus SC300. Power at the starter needs to be checked along with all of the connections. When checking connections to the starter, the battery will need to be disconnected to prevent a dangerous...
1-2 second delay in acceleration when put to drive or reverse without pressing the gas. Jerking while in traffic
Hi there, thanks for writing in. When this occurs it can be caused by an engine hesitation or a transmission problem. From my experience this is a transmission issue. There are a lot of problems with the transmission in this...
Car keeps overheating and losing antifreeze. Thermostat and hoses are all fine. What else could it be?
Hi. I believe your Hyundai has a blown head gasket. This failure mode may not contaminate engine oil with coolant as sometimes occurs. The lost coolant (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/the-best-tool-to-find-coolant-leaks-by-timothy-charlet) may go into the cylinder or the exhaust instead. A slightly sweet smell...
My transit van's powertrain light is coming on. Is it easy to fix, how long will it take, and is it costly?
Hi there. It would be really hard to say what it will cost to fix and how long it will take without knowing first what is going on. This light can come on for a number of reasons, some of...
i have 3 code on my car P0431, P0174, P0305
Noise in exhaust systems occurs due to leaks as well as internal failure of the baffles in the muffler or resonator. So, just because there are no leaks, doesn't mean the exhaust system will be noise free. An [engine/exhaust noise...
Carlos, can you replace a Neutral Safety switch on a 2010 Dodge Journey?
Hi there. If you'd like Carlos to come to your location and complete a neutral safety switch replacement, please click this link (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/neutral-safety-switch-replacement) and select the Get a Quote button on that page to receive an estimate.
when my car is stopped or going slow i can hear a helicopter noise. it sounds like it’s coming from the front end of my car.
If you are hearing the noise at idle when the car is not moving, generally the noise you are describing originates in the engine, the transmission (torque converter runs even at idle), and/or the accessory drives. If the sound occurs...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Brake Master Cylinder
Common signs of a faulty brake master cylinder include abnormal brake pedal behavior, contaminated brake fluid, and the Check Engine Light turning on.
P2433 OBD-II Trouble Code: Secondary Air Injection System Air Flow/Pressure Sensor Circuit High Bank 1
Diagnostic Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): P2433 P2433 code definition Secondary Air Injection System Air Flow/Pressure Sensor Circuit High Bank 1 Related Trouble Codes: P2430: Sec Air Inj Sys Airflow/Press Sensor Circ Bank 1 P2431: Sec Air Inj Sys Airflow/Press Sensor...
P0786 OBD-II Trouble Code: Shift/Timing Solenoid Range/Performance
P0786 means there is a problem with the shift/timing solenoid due to a low fluid levels, faulty solenoid, or internal transmission components.