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Old 08-13-2010, 03:49 AM   #10
Frodo
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,999
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel R
Bladecutter is 100% correct. Get the code read and go from there.

I made that mistake when I had an intermittent CEL. I found that if I started the car from cold and drove it hard straight away there was no CEL. If I drove it gently until it warmed up, CEL would come on without fail. I took some advice (bad advice I might add) from someone who (mis)diagnosed it as a failing MAF sensor. The advice was unplug the sensor, and if the CEL goes out then it is the problem. I did this, the CEL went away (although the car was way down on power) so I assumed it was the problem. I bought a new MAF sensor, installed it, and the CEL came straight back on!

As it turned out, the problem was O2 sensors, and the CEL didn't come on whilst the MAF sensor was unplugged just because it wasn't getting an important reading. Once the O2 sensors were replaced it was like new again.

Moral of the story, get the codes read and forget guesswork. It could be a frustrating and expensive exercise otherwise.

Good luck!
A related question, out of curiosity. Was it just one O2 sensor you got the code for, or more than one? How many did you replace---just the one(s) throwing the code(s) or all of them? I ask, because I'm currently in a similar situation.
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