Lately, my check engine light has been coming on. However, it is not staying on. I will get in my car and start driving and it will just come on out of nowhere. I'll get to where i'm going, turn the car off and when i get in my car to leave again, the light will be off. I'll start driving again and the light might decide to turn on or i can sometimes make it to wherever without a problem. Any clue as to what it can be?

 

check the code next time it goes off...then post. then ask...why does vss come on after driving? or why oes o2 come on after normal operting temp...or whatnot.

 

maybe its an o2 heater code

 

yeah, one of them is. i ran the codes and it was an oxygen sensor, an oxygen sensor heater, and a fuel supply system. i don't really know why it would be an oxygen sensor since i had that replaced when i bought the car. but what exactly is the oxygen sensor heater and why is there a code coming up for the fuel supply system?

 

When its hot out does your car take a couple cranks for it to get started?...if so its a common fix for the Main Fuel Relay...What year car do you have...I know if its a 4th gen than its a common problem that can be replaced for 60 bucks...as for everything else get a new o2 sensor.

 

the oxygen sensor does not work until it reaches a certain temp. it would take a long time for it to reach that temp without a heater. its basically emissions related. the faster the o2 sensor heats up the quicker the car can go into closed loop mode and meet emissions regulations. do you know the code numbers? if i get numbers i can look up the code and give you more info. also depending on the year, there may be more than one o2 sensor

 

i got codes 1, 41, and 43. i have a 95 prelude. thanks for the info.

 

code 1 is heated o2 sensor circuit.
code 41 is heated 02 sensor heater.
code 43 is fuel system problem.

for code 43 possible causes are -- faulty map sensor, faulty o2 sensor, fuel pressure regulator. so i would perform a fuel pressure test to ensure that you are getting proper fuel pressure. as far as the o2 code-- you either have a bad o2 sensor or bad wiring going to the o2 sensor. oil can also contaminate the o2 sensor i.e.- oil from oil changes/leaks.
clear the codes and see if they return.