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Author	Topic: Service engine soon light, Buick Century 98	Topic is locked Back to Topics

welshwarrior Rookie Author Pittsburgh Posts:48 Points:13,450 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2005 4:45:13 AM Ignore welshwarrior Report Abuse Egr valve, Ox sensor, faulty light? How annoying is this stupid light? It went off and on for about three months, then it stayed on. My mechanic said not too worry about it unitll next June when the car is up for state expection. Car has 108k on it. Is this something to be concerned with this light/ It still runs smooth and has great power. Should I pay the $300 for a new egr valve? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thankyou all.

welshwarrior

Rookie Author
Pittsburgh

Posts:48
Points:13,450
Joined:Aug 2005

Message Posted: Sep 6, 2005 4:45:13 AM

Ignore welshwarrior Report Abuse

Egr valve, Ox sensor, faulty light? How annoying is this stupid light?
It went off and on for about three months, then it stayed on. My mechanic said not too worry about it unitll next June when the car is up for state expection. Car has 108k on it. Is this something to be concerned with this light/ It still runs smooth and has great power.
Should I pay the $300 for a new egr valve?
Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thankyou all.

REPLIES (newest first)Ignore Short Messages

dhoink Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:141 Points:36,960 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Apr 3, 2009 1:05:14 PM Ignore dhoink Report Abuse Pull into your nearest Auto Zone and they will fix for free.
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,017 Points:1,670,120 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: May 7, 2008 8:23:11 AM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse First, take it to an auto parts store, such as Auto Zone, and have them tell you what the code is. If the engine runs as it should; it is more likely to be a sensor than a component. If it is the EGR valve, you don’t sound like you know for sure what it is, first take it out and CAREFULLY clean it and re-install it. Disconnect the battery for ten minutes to reset the computer. See if the check engine soon light comes back on. You can try the same thing with the O2 sensor.
teddybearhoney Rookie Author Ontario Posts:1 Points:420 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2008 9:00:32 PM Ignore teddybearhoney Report Abuse i'm having problems with my car and there telling me its my catilic converter so i'de get a dianostic done on it before wasting more money. been through three emissions tests and failed thm waiting for number 4 friday after i get the cat changed. the thrid time was just after changing my o2 censor....which was only 50 dollars as i got it done my self. but after the o2 censor it went sky rocketing and service engine light keeps going on. my car is a 1993 buick regal.
RacerZ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,340 Points:1,996,425 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 6, 2006 5:37:56 AM Ignore RacerZ Report Abuse State Expection???
gvan Champion Author Chicago Posts:21,526 Points:2,835,315 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2006 3:18:24 PM Ignore gvan Report Abuse The first thing to check when the "Check Engine" light comes on is if the gas cap is on tight.
Toby84 Rookie Author Winnipeg Posts:17 Points:12,190 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 16, 2006 10:59:33 PM Ignore Toby84 Report Abuse I've got a '94 Century and it has the same problem. I had it checked out by a friend of mine who is a mechanic and he told me it was one of the EGR solenoids which had burned out. The EGR costs just over $200 here in Canada. It is not much of a problem except occasionally running a bit rough when the light is on. [Edited by: Toby84 at 3/17/2006 2:00:11 AM EST]
awog Sophomore Author Phoenix Posts:150 Points:73,700 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jan 23, 2006 10:52:18 PM Ignore awog Report Abuse Where do you live? Go to an Autozone or a Check Auto Parts store and get it diagnosed for free. Most of these issues can be repaired simply by yourself. Unless you have a good mechanic in mind, check out the books from the library and try.
cheeprsbettr Rookie Author Charlotte Posts:68 Points:11,480 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Oct 30, 2005 11:58:11 AM Ignore cheeprsbettr Report Abuse This happeneed to me on my '99 Century. Turned put it was just a hose/wire that had come loose. But before I found that I assumed a worst-case scenario and checked with a certifed GM technician with about 30 yrs experience. He laughed and said he would run it with the light on for a long time. He has worked on my cars several times and has never failed me.
youngoldfogie Champion Author St. Louis Posts:3,751 Points:483,435 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 30, 2005 4:57:06 AM Ignore youngoldfogie Report Abuse My mechanic told me most of the time when the Service Engine Soon light is on it is pollution related. Mine was going on & off and when he put it on diagnostics it indicated that it was the EGR Valve. He cleaned out the tube (carbon build up) and it went out. This past March I had to put a new computer put in the car ('94 Buick Century). The light was off until a week ago Monday. It stayed on steady then went off this morning. When I asked the mechanic about it he said that one of the relays (there are 4) needed replacing. I believe he said the Number 3 relay. How do I determine which one is the number 3? I can easily replace it myself, but I need to know which one it is!
SRBuick Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,338 Points:61,060 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2005 8:03:41 PM Ignore SRBuick Report Abuse About a year ago the light in my '94 Century stayed on and I let it go a while. When I asked at the station and the mechanic checked it there definitely was a problem. He said it is something not to be ignored. Now I don't remember the cost, but I know it wasn't too expensive.
Cynni Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:140 Points:6,090 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 15, 2005 11:05:47 PM Ignore Cynni Report Abuse I have a Buick Riviera and a Chevy Astro Van. The service engine light stays on them also. We have had them checked and they say not to worry about it. That Buick is known for the light to stay on. It is kindof irratating that the light is on. Especially at night.
welshwarrior Rookie Author Pittsburgh Posts:48 Points:13,450 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2005 7:57:00 AM Ignore welshwarrior Report Abuse Thank's for the reply Pursuit Driver. Yes, had the mechanic run a dianostics. He said it was the egr valve for the pollution control. Very expensive to replace. Hate to put that kind of cash into a car that has 108k on her. So you in London England? I have been there several times. Also been to Wales countless times Take care, mate.
PursuitDriver Rookie Author London Posts:13 Points:8,250 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Sep 10, 2005 7:51:22 AM Ignore PursuitDriver Report Abuse Have you got a dianositics done on the car?? Whats the light for? Or do you not know? Pursuit Driver
welshwarrior Rookie Author Pittsburgh Posts:48 Points:13,450 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2005 7:43:16 PM Ignore welshwarrior Report Abuse Come on no one has a answer for me?