Q: Engine replaced, check engine light on again

asked by on July 27, 2016

I've recently purchased this pre-owned van and it was showing the check engine light. So, I took it to the dealership. He diagnosed the engine failure and it had to be replaced. However, the dash shows the check engine light on yet again and I'm concerned that it might go out again. I found out that this is a very common problem with this make and model. What should I do? Is my engine going out?

Check Engine Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hello. There are several reasons why the Check Engine Light is on, but the Check Engine Light is not always an indication that the motor will need to be replaced. A Check Engine Light that is steady may indicate a serious problem that should be addressed as soon as possible. The best course of action here is to have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, come out to and see what diagnostic trouble code has been stored in the car’s computer to turn on the Check Engine Light. After doing so, the certified technician will be able to diagnose the code and inspect the relevant systems thoroughly in order to recommend the necessary repair and resolve your issue.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car died and now cranks but won't turn over.
The problem could be your fuel pump. An easy way to check would be to listen underneath the car when you turn the key on. You should hear a faint humming for approx. 3 seconds. If you cannot hear this...
Obd2 scanner not linking
When the scanner will not connect, usually the first thing we look for is a blow fuse or lack of power at the OBD2 connector. The most common cause of being unable to connect to the car is an issue...
Steering wheel clicking
Hi, this comes up often on this vehicle. The most common cause of it is the plastic steering column cover. They warp and hit the steering wheel and cause this noise. A mechanic will typically remove the covers to see...
Electronic steering lock error, car cannot be started
Hello. This problem is usually caused by low battery voltage or an aftermarket battery. There are times when the lights for the car will work as well as all of the electric, but the car will not start because the...
Cooling fans not working. Replaced sensor, relays, thermostat and radiator fan.
Hello there, many different faults will cause the fans on your 1995 Chevrolet Camaro to not turn on. You have replaced many of the common failure points, but there are a few other potential causes. The most likely is the...
Mystery shaking
Hi, thanks for writing in. Given the sporadic nature of the symptoms, and a known head gasket issue, it is likely the engine is misfiring (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-can-problems-with-the-ignition-system-cause-misfiring_2) due to the head gasket issues is causing rough running. If the symptoms are...
Sour, stale smell coming from air vents
This is most likely a cabin filter that needs to be changed. Your car is equipped with an air filtration system that works similarly to your engine's air filter in that it filters the outside air as it flows into...
My car stalls and my injectors stop spraying 1998 Nissan Sentra
Hello. If your car is stalling and it stops spraying fuel then most of the time this is caused by a failure in the crank position sensor. This is a common issue on this vehicle. When it fails the computer...
My vehicle has a hard staring problem especially after travelling long distances,and what could be the cause?
The first thing that comes to mind is a crankshaft position sensor. It has a very fine coil of wire that sometimes is affected by the heat of the engine. The common scenario is that the car starts easily, but...

Related articles

How Are Sensors Used to Improve a Car’s Performance?
Modern vehicles utilize a series of car sensors to improve performance and reduce emissions. The oxygen sensor helps reduce tailpipe emissions.
P0037 OBD-II Trouble Code: HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
P0037 trouble code definition P0037 is the code for HO2S Heater Control Circuit Low (Bank 1, Sensor 2) What the P0037 code...
P0509 OBD-II Trouble Code: Idle Air Control System Circuit High
P0509 means that your vehicle’s PCM has picked up on an inconsistency regarding the RPM of the engine when it’s in idle due to leaks, or shortages.