so last night i was driving around and my check engine light came on. I called the dealership this morning and they told me that it was probably my gas cap and vapors were escaping from it and that's what was triggering the computer. They said to take the gas cap off and put it back on and then drive around for a few days and the computer should self correct itself. If it doesn't go off, the light starts to flash or the car starts to drive funny to call them, otherwise its fine...

does this seem right or were they just blowing me off?

 

An incorrectly replaced gas cap is one of the most common reasons for triggering the Check Engine circuit. Did you check your gas cap and see if it was on correctly or not?

If it was on correctly and tight, then I would discount the dealer's advice and get that Crossfire in to them ASAP. If it (the gas cap) was loose, then indeed follow the dealer's advice. After a few starts with the gas system pressurized, then it will clear up.

This is one of those times when you wish there was a Engine Code Display mode, so that we could pinpoint just such a situation.

 

Bad gas maybe. I once put bad gas and it came on.

 

I had the same problem. Luckily I have a OBDII scanner that I plugged into my car and the car told me I had a problem with my camshaft position sensor. Took it to the dealer and told them what my scanner said. I got a call 2 days later and was told I needed a new camshaft position sensor........

 

Mine came on once and the car was still running normally I took it to the dealer and they replaced the O2 sensor.

 

For me it was the catalytic converters. However, I did get over my paranoia. It takes 48 hours for the light to go off if it's the gas cap. Longer than that -- take it in.

 

ok...here's an update:
the light went on Tuesday night around 8:00, by Wednesday at 5:00 it was off and it hasn't been on since. I didn't touch the gas cap or anything else. I still have no idea why it went on. Its a little unsettling, but i don't think there is anything i can do about it.

 

One of the kids has a 2000 Grand Prix that does that all time. My husband will be driving it and the service engine soon light comes on. Then the next day, I'll drive it and it's not on anymore. It seems to be a random thing and I'm not really worried about it with that car. I guess I just figure that if the warning light goes out, whatever it was is ok now. Hopefully yours will stay off, but if it's on again and it bothers you, you might take it to the dealer right away and maybe they can see what the computer says.

 

If you take the car to an AutoZone store, they plug in their OBD reader and tell you what fault codes have been stored. Best of all, they do it for free!