This is why I ignore my CEL thread

[RonJ]

This thread was inspired by a recent discussion I had with oc_civic in another thread.

The check engine light (CEL) is designed to help you quickly pinpoint engine and transmission problems. It is designed to be helpful not an annoyance, though many see it more as the latter than the former. Additionally, oc_civic and I have always been surprised by how many people pay no attention to the CEL when it turns on and fail to link it to a problem they are having, despite the fact that pulling CEL codes should be one of the first things to do when a problem arises.

With this said, I thought it might be fun and educational if members with this surprising behavior were to post their reasons for ignoring the CEL. It should be interesting and humorous to hear the responses.

(Please do not turn this into a flame thread)

 

[Chris.]

i ignore that b***h becasue i dont have money to replace my cat and i like the sound of my exhaust...


so there... i said it.. i ignore my CEL... and in fact... i took the bulb out.

PS... my CEL code is a P0420... and it has been on for a year. and i can care less.

i check it from time to time to see if others arise. occasionally ill get a multipile random missfire... but its all related to the P0420

 

[iBeast]

i always s**t my pants when i see the CEL come up cuz im afraid im going to spend a lot of money. usually its minor things

 

[oc_civic]

i ignore that b***h becasue i dont have money to replace my cat and i like the sound of my exhaust...


so there... i said it.. i ignore my CEL... and in fact... i took the bulb out.

PS... my CEL code is a P0420... and it has been on for a year. and i can care less.

i check it from time to time to see if others arise. occasionally ill get a multipile random missfire... but its all related to the P0420

there are a bunch of ways to get around that.. but the easiest one is using that thing that is meant for spark plugs.. it puts the O2 sensor at distance from the actual exhaust stream but still allows it to heat up.. this would give you back your CEL functionality... while still allowing you to run the car with no cat... there are also those devices that emulate the correct reading which tricks the CEL into thinking the cat is there and working..

 

[Chris.]

there are a bunch of ways to get around that.. but the easiest one is using that thing that is meant for spark plugs.. it puts the O2 sensor at distance from the actual exhaust stream but still allows it to heat up.. this would give you back your CEL functionality... while still allowing you to run the car with no cat... there are also those devices that emulate the correct reading which tricks the CEL into thinking the cat is there and working..

yea i did that with my civic...

but















































im lazy and dont want to crawl under the car...

 

[mahalo]

i also s**t my pants and start panicing when my cel comes on.

 

[s_crowley 17]

I seem to be a little retarted....

Somehow I put a GSR swap in my civic, yet I cant seem to pull a code correctly.

I've clicked your link, Ron. I used a paper clip and stuck it into the pinout (blue) for my 98 civic. they are both in there so it is like a U shape.. (the paper clip)

then i turn the car on and the CEL just stays on, no flashing or anything...

 

[RonJ]

I seem to be a little retarted....

Somehow I put a GSR swap in my civic, yet I cant seem to pull a code correctly.

I've clicked your link, Ron. I used a paper clip and stuck it into the pinout (blue) for my 98 civic. they are both in there so it is like a U shape.. (the paper clip)

then i turn the car on and the CEL just stays on, no flashing or anything...

(It's called CEL code 0. Create a tech thread if you wish to troubleshoot because the spirit of this thread is non-technical)

 

[Aaron.]

mine comes on when i slow down and brake but is off when i turn the car back on

 

[CivicHX]

I check mine as soon as it comes on, it normally does not, though it has for code p0420 catalyst couple of times. I clear it and it goes away for long time only came 3 times in 2 years

 

[projektej8]

Ron started a thread? Holy s**t!

 

[Chris.]

Ron started a thread? Holy s**t!

i know!

its snowing out there you know... i hear its gonna be another 40" blizzard.

 

[JohnS.]

I have only seen my CEL come on for 2 codes. 1 was when I first put my aftermarket intake on, 2nd was for my o2 sensor that went bad. Otherwise, I don't have a car that's a piece of crap with a ton of problems or a car that's modified in ways to cause CEL's .

 

[RonJ]

Ron started a thread? Holy s**t!

i know!

its snowing out there you know... i hear its gonna be another 40" blizzard.

I'll have you both know that I have started 5 threads.

 

[253eg]

I have a mk4 Jetta, if my CEL isn't on, then something is definitely wrong.

 

[98civikdx]

I share that P0420 code, CEL came on 2 days after I got the car, but I have bigger fish to fry right now, so it's just another light on my gauges right now, haha

 

[Ek4C707]

So my check engine light came on so I open my hood to check and my engine was still there. Silly light.

 

[Chris.]

I have a mk4 Jetta, if my CEL isn't on, then something is definitely wrong.

i drive a subaru with an aftermarket exhaust... i have the same deal... if the light isnt on.. theres something wrong

 

[projektej8]

I'll have you both know that I have started 5 threads.

Im proud of you dude, really I mean that

 

[CrazyEM1]

I have the P0420 code as well on my EM1, I do NOT want to spend $180~ on a new catalytic converter NOR do I want to buy one from a junkyard knowing that it may not even been good either. Stupid ass emissions testing. It's not like we don't F*** up the environment already, I mean look at BP.