check engine light on, then disappears

[Kiewan]

Any suggestions here?

The Starter took way longer than normal to start this morning, drove to work everything's fine. Coming back the check engine light comes on. Temp is normal, engine running smoothly.
Later this evening, I started the car, light still on.
Got gas and the light was on when I turned it off, turned it on and no engine light.
It was the engine light on the left, inside the tach, not the gas light.

Has anyone had warning lights come and go?

[Mazdy]

Do you have an SRI or CAI?

[JonsMazda]

Yep, could be broken maf wires.

[-ToM-]

i had this on my gen 1, was was the oxygen sensor

[Kiewan]

I had the o2 sensor replaced about 4000 km ago because it failed. I'm hoping its not that again. I'll have the wires looked at when I have a chance,

[kimchisoup]

Guess all you want. Any one of like 1000+ OBD codes could be causing the check engine light to come on.

How to check?
1. Go to Midas or other auto shop - many will tell you OBD codes for free.
2. Buy a $20 OBD-II reader on ebay.

[Kiewan]

Guess all you want. Any one of like 1000+ OBD codes could be causing the check engine light to come on.

How to check?
1. Go to Midas or other auto shop - many will tell you OBD codes for free.
2. Buy a $20 OBD-II reader on ebay.

If the CEL returns then I'll have the error code read. Thanks.

[silverstarmazda]

could of been a loose or faulty gas cap or something. get the code read to know for sure

[Flagrum_3]

If the CEL returns then I'll have the error code read. Thanks.

If the code went away on it's own it's still pending in memory. You can get it read anytime.

_3

[Nevermind]

My 2005 engine light comes on and off. Changed the air filter, plugs only because they needed changing and hoping the light will go out permanently . Light still comes on for a few days than goes out for a few days. Seems to only happen on damp days, not sure if that is a cause? Did a engine scan my friend has a scanner, no codes. Of course the light is out. Should I wait till the light comes back on and scan it? If i am not getting any codes still even with the light on should I disconnect the negative battery cable to reset the computer? When the light is on car runs smoothly, no change in power, no change in gas mileage etc., all is normal.
Thanks

[Nevermind]

Bump.....


My 2005 engine light comes on and off. Changed the air filter, plugs only because they needed changing and hoping the light will go out permanently . Light still comes on for a few days than goes out for a few days. Seems to only happen on damp days, not sure if that is a cause? Did a engine scan my friend has a scanner, no codes. Of course the light is out. Should I wait till the light comes back on and scan it? If i am not getting any codes still even with the light on should I disconnect the negative battery cable to reset the computer? When the light is on car runs smoothly, no change in power, no change in gas mileage etc., all is normal.
Thanks

[Jackal]

My 2005 engine light comes on and off. Changed the air filter, plugs only because they needed changing and hoping the light will go out permanently . Light still comes on for a few days than goes out for a few days. Seems to only happen on damp days, not sure if that is a cause? Did a engine scan my friend has a scanner, no codes. Of course the light is out. Should I wait till the light comes back on and scan it? If i am not getting any codes still even with the light on should I disconnect the negative battery cable to reset the computer? When the light is on car runs smoothly, no change in power, no change in gas mileage etc., all is normal.
Thanks

Yes absolutely. When it comes back on get it checked out. I think we should always check CELs just in case. Just don't pay to get it checked.

[MazdaMike02]

As stated above if the light has come on and goes out a pending code will be available. Non-oem scanners may not be able to retrieve the code depending on what it is. Also some codes don't even show up on aftermarket scanners.

It may be your battery which is weak causing these problems. When a weak battery has to start the car in very cold weather thats when problems show themselves. A lot of places do free battery tests with oil changes (especially in winter).

Or its probably your gas cap if you don't have the updated one. if yours has a white dot on the teather then it is the updated one. If there isn't a white dot then just go ahead and replace the gas cap. There is a TSB for them.