Desperate question for an auto mechanic

[Suz D]

We are on our way to WDW in our 2004 Kia Sedona. Our van engine was "missing" when the weather was damp so we took it in to be serviced before our trip. $535 later they replaced two "coils" that were cracked and changed the oil, filter, and air filter. They also did a general tune-up and (I forgot to post this part when I first posted--they did replace a belt that was cracked). They didn't say there were any other problems. We are driving about 950 miles and drove about 1/2 today. Just before we got to our hotel here in Columbia, SC the check engine light came on. I highly doubt that the Kia dealership (which ironically is right next door to our hotel) will be open on New Year's Day to check it out. We don't know what to do. Our reservation starts tomorrow night at Disney so we'll lose at least one night's $$ if we stay here plus the amount of a hotel here, plus the time to have it checked out.

I know that sometimes the check engine lights come on for a benign reason and wondered if there are any mechanics here tonight (right, NYE and you're just hanging around the Dis). I thought I'd check here since I've not found much with an online search.

Oh budget boarders, help me with this potential budget buster!

Suz

 

[KibbyCat]

If the mechanics who fixed you other issue told you everything else was fine, I'd leave it at that and enjoy your trip. I have a 2004 Chevy Venture, and sometimes the check engine light comes on for no apparent reason. Of course, maybe I have too much faith in my vehicle (or figure that it's no big deal since we have AAA) but so far, nothing major has ever happened when the check engine light has come on. Good luck!

 

[adisneymama]

Hi my dh is researching right now for you but he is very car savvy. He wants to know if you have a lot of miles on the van or not? Also, he said 99% of the time check engine is due to emissions and not something that would give you any issues. He is checking on the net now and I'll post more in a bit. But I wouldn't be too worried just yet!

 

[Clemson Cruiser]

My check engine light will come on if my gas cap is not secured tightly until it clicks. I have made the mistake of ignoring the check engine light before thinking it was a gas cap issue, and it was more serious. Try calling around to Auto Zone or Advance Auto's in Columbia to check if they will run a diagnostic test for you for peace of mind. Most will do this for free and can tell you what has prompted the light to come on.

 

[butterflygirl3]

My mechanic, my hubby , said that if you got gas recently and didn't tighten the nozzle all the way the check engine light can come on. If the last people said everything was fine then it could be as simple as this. I hope this helps and pray for a safe and enjoyable trip for you and your family

 

[Suz D]

Hi my dh is researching right now for you but he is very car savvy. He wants to know if you have a lot of miles on the van or not? Also, he said 99% of the time check engine is due to emissions and not something that would give you any issues. He is checking on the net now and I'll post more in a bit. But I wouldn't be too worried just yet!

I sent you a PM but to answer the mileage question, we just turned over 71,000 about 50 miles ago. My instinct is that it isn't something that would be an emergency, but honestly know nothing about it. Thank you (and your hubby) again for being willing to help!

 

[Suz D]

My check engine light will come on if my gas cap is not secured tightly until it clicks. I have made the mistake of ignoring the check engine light before thinking it was a gas cap issue, and it was more serious. Try calling around to Auto Zone or Advance Auto's in Columbia to check if they will run a diagnostic test for you for peace of mind. Most will do this for free and can tell you what has prompted the light to come on.

The big problem with this is that it's 9:30 on New Year's Eve and with tomorrow being New Year's Day I doubt anyone will be open. But we'll definately make some calls in the morning. We'll also check the gas cap.

 

[Iott Family]

Suz,

I drive a montana thunder with over 150,000 miles on it and my check engine comes on when my gas cap isnt turned just right to make mr van happy, when the air pressure is off on my tires, there is a sensor in the tires......it also does it when the air filter isnt properly installed. we found this out after our last oil change whe we had plugs and filters changed out and they didnt get the air filter back on snug.....

You are going to WDW, im sure everything is fine and enjoy your trip!

 

[Big Kahuna]

Please note that the gas cap reset may take up to 50 miles for the computer to reset.

 

[merekc]

I have a 2005 Kia Sedona and this is my check engine history. Take it for what it is worth.

My check engine light goes off approximately every 5000 miles. I've now had the car 4 years and been in to the dealership 10+ times for this issue. It is actually the emissions light so something is triggering it indicating the vehicle isn't meeting the federal standards. Most of the time they can't find anything wrong. A couple of times they have actually replaced things (gas cap, hoses, sensors, etc) but nothing major that would have been an issue to continue driving it. They have more than once tried to blame it on the gas cap not sealing properly.

The last time it came on I actually kept driving because at this point I no longer care, and I was also on a long trip. After several thousand miles, the light went off on its own. It then stayed off for several thousand more miles and then came back on.

Personally, I think Kia's are crap. Nothing major has gone wrong, but every little thing has and my repair report history is seriously an inch thick. With the fact that they just repaired yours (and I would hope somewhat inspected for obvious issues) I would think that there is a good chance that you are ok especially if the vehicle is functioning properly. Maybe the repair work triggered the indicator light.

Take this with a grain of salt, this is not a recommendation, but in my van (based on my experience), I'd keep driving. After making attempts to reach someone.

Good Luck!

 

[IDoDis]

Like another poster said, Auto Zone will do a free diagnostic and it only takes a minute. Hopefully they'll be open tomorrow. Most national retail chains are open tomorrow. They can give you the code that comes up. Once you have the code, go somewhere you can get free wifi (starbucks?) and look up the code to see what the problem is. Just google the year, make & model of your vehicle along with the words "engine code." You'll find some auto forums where people have had the same code come up and then you'll know if the issue is serious or not. Most of the time it is not serious.

 

[merekc]

One more thing. There is a good chance the dealership is open for sales on NYD even if service isn't.

I'd go over there and get someone to take a quick look. Hopefully someone can give you some peace of mind.

 

[mikehn]

Even if you tighten the gas cap, the check engine light may not go away automatically. On many models, you have to reset the check engine light to make it go away. There is a device that reads the codes and resets the light, which you can buy at Walmart, Costco, auto parts store, etc. Or you can borrow the device from Pep Boys, auto zone, advance auto parts, or any number of other auto parts stores. 95% of the time you can still drive with a check engine light on. I wouldnt worry about it until you get to Orlando. When you get to Orlando, have a shop diagnose the code and tell you what the problem is. Chances are, its probably some minor issue that can wait till you get home.

 

[Suz D]

Thank you thoughtrful Dis members. We feel reassured that it's not likely anything major so we're going our merry way to Orlando. If there is a store open today to get the diagnostic code we'll do that. Otherwise we'll stop tomorrow and have that done. We don't NEED our car at Disney so if we have to we can get it to a dealer to have it fixed if it's a big problem.

Overall we've been pleased with our Kia but I don't think we'd get another one. The mileage isn't great and it seems like we've had to fix some things that shouldn't have needed fixing this early in it's "career".

Thanks again to all who replied. It was a real budget buster to pour $535 into it right before we left (thank goodness for savings). Happy New Year to all!

Suz

 

[wdwfan16]

We are on our way to WDW in our 2004 Kia Sedona. Our van engine was "missing" when the weather was damp so we took it in to be serviced before our trip. $535 later they replaced two "coils" that were cracked and changed the oil, filter, and air filter. They also did a general tune-up and (I forgot to post this part when I first posted--they did replace a belt that was cracked). They didn't say there were any other problems. We are driving about 950 miles and drove about 1/2 today. Just before we got to our hotel here in Columbia, SC the check engine light came on. I highly doubt that the Kia dealership (which ironically is right next door to our hotel) will be open on New Year's Day to check it out. We don't know what to do. Our reservation starts tomorrow night at Disney so we'll lose at least one night's $$ if we stay here plus the amount of a hotel here, plus the time to have it checked out.

I know that sometimes the check engine lights come on for a benign reason and wondered if there are any mechanics here tonight (right, NYE and you're just hanging around the Dis). I thought I'd check here since I've not found much with an online search.

Oh budget boarders, help me with this potential budget buster!

Suz

What is the mileage of the vehicle? Sometime the check engine light will come on at certain mileage to indicate it is time for a certain mileage check.

ETA: I see you posted the mileage as 71K. Not a normal service check time.

 

[Chaoster]

Through the years I've had the check engine light come on a few times on different cars. Everytime it was the oxygen sensor that need replacing. The only thing you will notice if that is the problem is bad gas mileage. Try to have the car looked at when at Disney and get it fixed before drive home.
Have fun.

 

[Sorsha]

Through the years I've had the check engine light come on a few times on different cars. Everytime it was the oxygen sensor that need replacing. The only thing you will notice if that is the problem is bad gas mileage. Try to have the car looked at when at Disney and get it fixed before drive home.
Have fun.

Yep, my check engine light is on in my Ford Windstar right now and that was the diagnosis I got too.
My mechanic told me that the only problems I would have would be these:
1. Lowered gas mileage, but not by much.
2. IF I lived in California, which I don't, I wouldn't be able to pass an emissions test. Apparently this is a catalytic converter issue and causes your vehicle to put out more emissions than it should.
3. Since I chose not to have it fixed right now (just don't currently have the spare cash and don't drive it that much) the check engine light will always be on. That means if something more vital goes wrong, I won't know, since I won't see the light go on for that problem - its already on.

Like I said, I don't drive it much, so not a big issue for me anyhow. I would recommend you have the codes read ASAP just to be sure, but probably not a huge issue if you can't get them read today.

 

[mikehn]

There are a thousand reasons for your check engine light to come on. But one of the common causes is replacing the air filter. If the air filter isn't seated properly, there will be an air gap, which will trigger the check engine light. I noticed you said they just replaced the filter, so I thought I'd mention it.