97 Legacy wagon - very random check engine light

[Duh_OZ]

Is it possible to have it tested when the check engine light isn't
on? Blasted thing comes on about once a month and twice it went
off on the way to my local mechanic and last night it came on again
but the shop was closed up. All fine this A.M. and may stay that way
for another month *ugh*.

Have to take the car back to the guy anyway as I was having trouble
with the hood not latching completely (would partially open when you
went over 65MPH) and he fixed it all right, now I can't get the hood
open LOL.

 

[Fuzzy Logic]

Is it possible to have it tested when the check engine light isn't
on? Blasted thing comes on about once a month and twice it went
off on the way to my local mechanic and last night it came on again
but the shop was closed up. All fine this A.M. and may stay that way
for another month *ugh*.

Have to take the car back to the guy anyway as I was having trouble
with the hood not latching completely (would partially open when you
went over 65MPH) and he fixed it all right, now I can't get the hood
open LOL.

A common cause for CEL is a loose gas cap. Make sure it's tightened after a refill.

 

[johninky]

Is it possible to have it tested when the check engine light isn't
on?    

Sure is. The trouble code is now stored. Take a drive to AutoZone
and there they'll plug in a code reader and pull the code for you for
no charge.

 

[Brad]

Is it possible to have it tested when the check engine light isn't
on? Blasted thing comes on about once a month and twice it went
off on the way to my local mechanic and last night it came on again
but the shop was closed up. All fine this A.M. and may stay that way
for another month *ugh*.

Have to take the car back to the guy anyway as I was having trouble
with the hood not latching completely (would partially open when you
went over 65MPH) and he fixed it all right, now I can't get the hood
open LOL.

Change the place your getting your gas, mine comes on when I use Sheetz
gas, goes off when I use another brand.

 

[Duh_OZ]

Sorry for the late reply, just had the code checked out. The
"infamous' P0325 (knock sensor). It's come on a few times and goes
off just as randomly as it goes on.

As to the hood, I may have to rig something up, although it opens if
you have someone lift the hood release along with someone else lifting
the hood a crack.

BTW, for the heck of it I did fill it up at a different gas station.