Malfunction Indicator lamp

[honky]

We jsut got this 2004 Solara. Just 15000 miles on it and still under the original warranty until 5.07. Today my wife tells me the check indicator lamp is on.
Is this something that would be covered under the warranty ?
I checked the stupid stuff gas cap is tight.
Should we be driving the car now or just wait and bring it in to the dealer.

[NeFaRiOuS_SLE]

To check out the Check Engine Light (CEL) is definitely under warranty... Even if it's not, you can still go to AutoZone and have them check it for you. A CEL doesn't mean anything necessarily threatning; if it runs fine, then there shouldn't be any problems but proceed with caution.

[honky]

Well very strange. Checked the gas cap and it seemed to be on tight. Told the old lady to fill the gas tank (was about 1/2 full) and see if anything happened. sure enough the light went out. I am sure its not just the womans touch. any ideas or is this just the kind of ghosts you get with this modern technology

[Down2TheC]

CEL can come on for a temporary condition and will go off once that condition is cleared. But the code will still be in the ECU until a reset. So if you want to know what the cause was, go to AutoZone and ask for an OBDII scan. They should be able to tell you. Could have been a one shot deal or maybe a warning of things to come.

Once upon a time I reverted to stock intake and crossed a couple vacuum hoses. When I'd gun it over 3k RPM the CEL would come on but would be off on the next startup.

[honky]

Curious, what and where is the sensor for the gas cap ? any idea

[orlin03]

If the gas cap was left loose, the EVAP system would detect a vacumn leak, as it constantly checks for fuel vapor loss into the atmosphere. Its purpose is to let you know if a fuel vapor return line, or one of the many canisters & modules, has gone bad, but it can't work right without a sealed system. Whenever the light comes on, and the car seems to be running fine, the first thing to do is check the gas cap...