CEL light came on today after I used a lighter to burn off 4 - 5 loose threads from the car floor mat that were bugging me. As soon as I started the car after removing the loose threads the CEL light came on. I stopped at AutoZone to have them check and received two codes P0441 and P0441 and P0446 as the culprit. Could the codes have been triggered by my use of a cigar lighter to burn the loose carpet threads? Can the CEL be reset if the cause would appear to be my fault with creating a small amount of smoke from the thread burn? TIA

 

They didn't tell you what the codes were? Those are evaporative emissions codes. They have nothing to do with your cigarette lighter or the carpet. The most common cause is a cracked or disconnected vacuum line although it could be a failing vacuum switching valve or cannister. These issues will not effect vehicle operation or reliability as they are strictly for the vapor recycle system. Clear the codes and see if they come back, if they do you have an issue with the evaporative emissions system.

 

Only way to clear the codes I could find was disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes and switching the headlights off/on without having a device to use? My Acura had a combination of pressing a couple of dash items in sequence to do a reset.

 

That model does have some issues with the valves and the canister -- the part is in the $200.00 range ..... unfortunately it is buried back by the gas tank.

Make sure the gas cap is tight .... although you are getting more codes than this normally gives.


Spending 35 dollars on an inexpensive code reader will save you from going to autozone -- great little thing to have with an old car

 

AutoZone store is just a mile from my house, so no problem there. Any other reason to buy a code reader that they cannot do? Just wondering if there is a better analytic tool?

 

Code readers allow you to read and ERASE codes. I don't think AutoZone erase codes, but I could be wrong. I have a really good scanner from OBDCOM (google them). It was only $88 but it has everything that I will ever need, and it includes features of much more expensive units for a fraction of the cost. This thing has saved me from going to a specialist on numerous occasions.

 

If you have a smart phone than there are several companies that sell scanner software and adapter cable for various smart phones. Cheaper and just as good if not better than stand alone scanners.

Google and you'll find them.

 

It is coincedence, just disconnect the battery, wait 10 minutes and reconnect. If CEL comes on again you may have issues with those components.

 

I disconnected the battery for 10-20 minutes as suggested and no warnings have returned in the past 24 hours. Ironically, all of my seat, radio and mirror settings survived. Only the clock needed updating. I do have the latest smartphone and will look into the software/cable suggestion.

 

Last time I saw one, it was more expensive than what I have. If you know something for the iPhone that's less than $80, let me know. (I'm being serious)

 

Amazon store had 2 Kiwi Bluetooth units used at $89, $99 for brand new. A friend of mine bought this one recently and got Android software to use on his Corvette. He's impressed that it's worked great with many additional features besides the code reader/reset. Next month I believe that's the setup I'm going to buy

 

I use the simplest of scanners -- it was less than $40.00 with shipping -- I use it with all my cars. The benefit with having the reader is you are able to read and the clear the codes as they happen and see what pops back under different conditions.

Also -- the pending codes are very important .....as some of the codes will not trip the CEL when they happen ........ some require more than one drive cycle. SO the pending code can be the problem but be the second code