[tgriff]

I just purchased an 04 Coupe CC. The car has been at the dealer for some time and has been driven very little over the past two years. I took it out to some back roads in rural Virginia this weekend and let it run. It's an amazing car.

One hitch though. After driving for an hour or two, the engine warning light came on. All the gauges (oil pressure, engine temp, etc.) look good and the car is running beautifully. It has only 7,000 miles on it, so it doen't seem likely that there is a major problem. I'm hoping that driving the car for a sustained period for the first time in a long time tripped a fault and there is nothing bigger going on.

I know I need to bring the car back to the dealer and get it checked out, but can't get out there until next week so thought I'd ask the forum. Has anyone had a similar engine warning light experience with a Maserati that has been rarely driven for a prolonged period?

I'd like to know whether this warning light means I should not drive it until I can get it out to the dealer or if I can ignore it for the time being.

Thanks, as always, for your insight.

 

[Fastfreddy]

I got a check engine light one time. I reset it and it's never come back. Of course, now I cannot get the code read to find out what it was. No big deal since it hasn't recurred. It could be any number of things that can cause an input to the computer to read outside the expected range. Make sure your gas cap isn't loose.

If you're so inclined, try turning off the battery for a minute and back on to clear it. There's a switch knob by the battery.

 

[04cambiocoupe]

Stop by Autozone, or any of the big auto parts stores, borrow one of their code readers and see what code it is. Often these things pop up once and never come back, but I would like to know what set the CEL before I did much more driving.

Eric

 

[Leef]

Same thing happened to me -- turns out, the radiator overflow tank was slightly below the "Min." line. I topped it up and the check engine light went away.

 

[Eurodino]

Stop by Autozone, or any of the big auto parts stores, borrow one of their code readers and see what code it is. Often these things pop up once and never come back, but I would like to know what set the CEL before I did much more driving.

Eric

My engine light came on after a fill up and I did not replace the gas cap tight enough. I ended up buying a OBDII reader. The Autozone idea is a more economical solution.

 

[04cambiocoupe]

Every once in a while I actually manage to come up with a good idea. Ignore my next dozen or so posts, I have probably used up my good ideas for a while.

Eric

 

[tgriff]

Thanks for the tips. I'm going to double check the gas cap, look at the coolent, and turn off the battery and see if that does it. Autozone is a good idea too. Appreciate the input.

Otherwise the dealer said they'll come pick it up and check it out. So, no big deal. Just frustrating to have a CEL after owning the car for less than a week!

 

[FormulaDynamics]

Could be that the old fuel in the car caused a misfire and it will just go away... many, many possible scenarios. The best idea is to get an OBDII / CAN Reader and check yourself. Why guess? You should be able to find them locally or I can get one out to you for $99 + shipping.

 

[QP Sport]

The best idea is to get an OBDII / CAN Reader and check yourself. Why guess? You should be able to find them locally or I can get one out to you for $99 + shipping.

Now that wouldn't read the SD3 codes would it? Not!

 

[Eurodino]

I picked up the EQUUS INNOVA 3140 CanOBD 2&1 Code Reader / Scanner online for less than $300. Great little unit, used it several times on my other cars (and a few friends).

 

[CoupeCambioChicago]

Ignore check engine light, at least until your next service trip. I have had them come on, stay on for days, then go off.

 

[tgriff]

I took the car to the dealer and they checked out the check engine light today. It was a false warning of a fuel system vacuum failure. They tested the fuel system and everything was in ship shape. Nothing wrong. false alarm. Strangely, when they ran the car with the gas tank top off the light went out -- precisely when it should have gone on. Figure that one out! Oh well, if I wanted a car that made sense I would have bought a Toyota...