Service Engine Soon Light Came On

MIRANDA_ALLEN

MEMBER
CHEVROLET LUMINA

I have a 1998 Lumina sedan, V6, with about 113,000 miles. Today, the service engine soon light came on and stayed on. I was driving up my steep driveway, stopped to move a tree branch (I put the car in park and set the emergency brake) then when I resumed driving I noticed the light was on. I read the book that came with my car and it said to check the gas cap and I did that. Started the car again and the light was still on. But the book says a few driving trips with the cap properly installed should turn the light off? I just put some gas in the car last night, I was down to less than a quarter tank, but I stopped at the same station I usually go to - the book said switching to a poor quality fuel could cause the light to come on. And finally, the book said if I drive through a deep puddle of water, that could make the light come on, but I didn't do that. Here's some history about my car: I only drive about 10 miles a day and a 3000 mile oil change happens about once every 6 to 9 months or so. The last time I had a new drive belt, air filter and pcv valve installed was on 6/30/02 at 79,950 miles and new plugs and wires were installed on 8/5/03 at 88,418 miles. Then on 8/4/07 I had a new alternator put on at 110,600 miles.

What could be the possible reasons for this light coming on? I'd really appreciate any help you can provide.

I made a donation just now under the name Rachel Smith. I didn't realize when I signed up for an account on your website that I would need my identifying info.

Thanks.

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

thank you for your donation.

Reading your question carefully, I think that you actually may not have a problem at all. Engine service indicators are just that, an indication that you car is due for a service, this is normally triggered by the speedo, and timed to activate at the manufacturer's service schedules. Now many cars don't do the mileage that warrant the service intervals that the manufacturers recommend, There owners do a service when they feel it's due. I feel that this service light has been triggered by the speedo for no other reason than, that's what it's programed to do regardless of the services you have had. Go to your work shop and ask for the service indicator to be re set. If it goes off and stays off, problem solved, if it come on again, say with in a few weeks, then you may have to have it investigated further.

Mark (mhpautos)