[Dargante]

I drove to work a couple of days ago and all was fine but after I left work, the check engine light came on and stayed on; since it was late at night, I had to wait for the morning to check it out.

I took the car to my regular mechanic, found the code and basically told me (like I presumed) that it was the gas cap code. We checked the gas cap, sounded fine and looked fine as well.

He reseted the Check Engine light and told me to come back if the light goes on again so he can replace the gas cap for a new one.

My problem now, I am being picky about it, is that when I turn my car on and all the lights go on as well, I have noticed that the Check Engine light goes on and then turns off in less than a second. All the other lights as usual take about 1 second or 2 to turn off. But now, after the mechanic reseted the Check Engine light, it seems like THAT one is faster to turn off than the other lights in the panel.

Should I be concerned that the Check Engine light goes on and then off faster than the other lights? It basically turns on and off in less than 1 second.

Thank you for any feedback.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Dargante,

I have read your post about your CEL coming on and then going off almost immediately. I have researched the owner's manual for the 2007 model year of the Chevrolet Malibu. In referencing the time frame that a warning light should stay on; I have read that it should only stay on for a few seconds. If a warning light stays on and will not go off then get it to your dealership or mechanic.

It seems as though this light has you very concerned so I recommend that you talk with your mechanic or General Motors dealership about this.

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[Dargante]

Thank you for your quick reply first of all.

I am mainly concerned that in the future when something is wrong with my car, the CEL might not go on because of this previous issue of it turning off almost immediately.

Somehow I have the feeling that the computer is telling the CEL to forcefully turn off no matter what; so a future problem the light would go off INSTEAD of staying on to let me know that there is a problem.

All the mechanic did was remove the code from the car in relation to the gas cap. After that is when I noticed that the CEL goes on and then off basically instantly. All the other lights go on and off just fine, like they usually do when I turn on my car.

Is there anything an OBD Scanner can do to mess with these lights/computer?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Dargante,

You are very welcome.

I completely understand your concern of the CEL not working properly in the future. I recommend that you contact your mechanic with your concerns, if you have not done so already.

Since I am not an ASE Certified Technician or a mechanic, I do not have the information about what the scanner will and won't affect with your warning lights. That is a great question to talk with him about.

I hope that you are having a great day!

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

 

[Dargante]

Thank you very much for all the information you have provided.

I will certainly talk to my mechanic about this concern when I go see him on Monday. I will post an update once I get more details.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Dargante,

You are very welcome! I look forward to ready any updates that you would like to provide to us.

I hope that you are having a great Wednesday!

Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service