[barnster]

My 'service engine soon' light popped on the other day - I have 4400 miles and the car is running fine with no visable symptoms. I got an appointment for later this week and the service manager seemed to think it wouldn't be a big deal - should I be worried?

[sjbartnik]

You should be fine as long as it's not flashing and the engine isn't running any different.

About a million things can set that light off, all of which are emissions-related. I'm sure it'll be something minor.

[Clutch Cargo]

This happened to me, too. The dealership told me on the phone that it was most likely a mis-seated fuel cap. So I was VERY careful to screw it down tight -- no change. When I got it to the dealer, about a week later, they said "Yup, it was the fuel cap".

The light came on again about six weeks after that, and again I VERY carefully re-seated it. No change for two or three days. I finally decided to leave the damn light on til the car went in for its 10-thousand mile service. That afternoon, the light went out.

There are other threads in here about this topic.

[cooper4us]

Also a faulty oxygen sensor can cause the light to trigger.

[barnster]

Well, thanks - I haven't felt that it is too serious, it's just that the car broke down (on the freeway - loose coolant hose) the day I picked it up from the dealer and though it's run flawlessly since, I'm still a little skittish.