Thats cool! I recently had my check engine light on and then I got a computer test and it came back to say that my EGR valve was bad and it needed new spark plug wires. So first I got the spark plug wires and the light came off! Does that mean that the EGR valve is good}?

 

the computer said you needed new spark plug wires? interesting.

more than likely your EGR valve is sticking intermittantly (a commom problem) causing the light come on and off.

 

Well it did come on while i was racing this other protege (black like mine but a chic drivin it, I whopped her) The light came back on and I was worried... I then changed my oil and the light came off! That was so weird. But for some reason the light comes on when the key is put in the ignition. BUt when I turn it all the way it comes off.....weird....

 

For the detonation:

Have you "upgraded" spark plugs? In my 93 Miata (1.6L), I put in new plugs - I think they were SplitFires or something) thinking I was doing a good thing. It took about 3 weeks for the engine to start pinging under load.

Thinking something was wrong with those plugs, I replaced them again (same SplitFires) and the pinging was gone for about 3 days then came back.

Finally someone at the store gave me some good advice - get those plugs outta there - they produce excess heat and cause detonation. So I swapped back to new OEM (NKG) plugs, and all was solved - car ran perfect till the day I sold it.

Make sure you are running OEM plugs - not necessarily the brand, but make sure the specs are all the same.

After that, you *might* want to look into the dreaded timing belt. From my knowledge, they are supposed to be changed around the 75,000 mile mark, and if yours is starting to wear or has stretched, this too, can easily cause pinging due to the poor timing. If your car has more than that mileage and you have not changed the belt, it's a good idea to do so anyway. Preventative maintenance.

Good luck - let us know how it turns out.

~HH

 

All the dash lights come on when you put the key in and turn slightly. This is a system startup test. Notice how they all go off when the car is turned on.

 

yea but it never did that before thats why im mentioning it. But as long as its not on while im driving im happy