Any ideas on why my check engine light came on based on this...?

Question

I was leaving last night to pick up my boyfriend from work and my check engine light came on. Now for the past few months it has taken a couple cranks to get the car started (I have a '05 Nissan Sentra) and last night it started on the first try, but sounded like it was going to cut off. I tapped on the gas a little to try to get it right and it didn't cut off so I left. It was a little slow getting speed leaving my driveway, but once I hit the road it was fine. A few minutes later the check engine light came on and has been on since. It starts right up every time I cut it on now though, it doesn't sound like it's going to stall or anything.

My check engine light has come on twice before in the 2 years that I've had it, both times when I drove 2 hours to pick up my brother from college for holidays. And both times the light would come on and it would stall out, but then crank right back up and go away once I got back home. I had taken it back to the dealership both times and it went away not long before I got there both times and they said it was probably just a sensor. I don't know if it's because I've been driving it more the past month or so or not. My boyfriend's car broke down and I've been going home to pick him up and take him to work and bring him home after, I fixed his Bronco but now it doesn't have insurance, so he can't drive it. So I've been driving about 140 miles a day (we live about 20 miles from both of our jobs) getting back and forth from my work, home, and his work.

I'm going to take it to the dealership and see if it's just a sensor, but I can't until this weekend and if anyone thinks it's something that I can do, then I'll try to fix it myself. Thanks in advance to any help! :)

Answer 1

handyman, is right its probably a bad sensor, and like he said if you have an AutoZone near you they can scan the codes tell you what the scanner says then print out an expanation, and causes of the problem or problems.

Answer 2

well any time you get a ligth no matter where your at or what time it is your to check it out before driving it.... best ... so first have you check any thing yet oil coolant brake fluid.. when was the last  service job... when was the last tune up.... and dealers are in business to sell car not work on them so if it just need service or tune up smarter to have it done by a real shop and half the price of dealer what id do is add a bottle of fuel treatment or maybe a fuel filter and air filter.. you know many things a driver can do at home for pennies its called car care.. sorry but driving one any time with a light on and not checking it is not care and will not last you long doing it that way at all

Answer 3

You didn't say with make of car it is , but in most case's when the check engine light come's on , you have a bad 02  sensor or you could have a bab fuel injector . it's most likely going to be a bad sensor. I don't know if you have a auto parts store near by , but if you do you can take your car to them and they will scan it for you free and tell you what the problem is on your can..

Answer 4

HI

Yes take it to a place that can pull the codes and tell ya what they are. Then you would know what to replace and weather or not you want to tackle it..

AS for the boyfriend sounds like he's taking advantage of you. Since YOU fixed his car sounds like your the responsible person. If he's working then he should be able to pay his insurance. As long as your going to pack him around he's going to let you ware out your car on him. Time for him to grow up and be responsible for his own stuff.

good luck

tim

Answer 5

autozone can run the diagnostic for free to tell you if it is a sensor