I have a 2002 Tribute that's check engine light came on a little while ago. When the dealer told me it would take a week to get the car in, I went ahead and took it to a local shop (this was after trying the fuel cap trick). The shop diagnosed the problem, but told me that I needed to see the dealer to get the problem fixed. When I called the dealer back this time, they were much more willing to see me at an earlier time. I took the car into the dealer and told them what the shop had found. They treated as if I were stupid and didn't know what I was talking about. Calls were not returned at all, but after several attempts, I managed to get a hold of someone who told me (after much debate with himself) that they thought the air conditioner needed flushed and that an engine coil was misfiring. I was told this should take an hour or two to fix and that they would call when the car was ready. When I wasn't called back after three hours, I called again and left another message. After calling two more times, I finally got a hold of someone who told me that they thought they had the problem figured out, but that they were taking the engine apart and testing some other things to make sure. When I asked why if they thought they knew what the problem was, he could give me no answer. I asked when the car would be ready and he said it should be by the next morning around 11:30. About two hours later I got a call from this same man telling me he was returning my call (the one I had made 5 hours earlier). The next morning, I was called and told that the coils all seem to be fine, but that the computer that runs the engine is not working properly. They will have to order a new one and it would be three-five days before the car would be fixed unless I was willing to pay more to have the part overnighted. On top of this, he tells me that the air conditioner issue was more than likely caused by the computer misfire and it had been unnecessary to flush it. So, now instead of a repair of about $500, I will be paying closer to $1300 and part of that money was unnecessary labor to tinker with other problems that never really existed.

 

This is spot on. I just bought a Mazda5 and in the first week the "check engine" light came on. After consulting the manual I checked my gas cap and it was loose. However the light stayed on. To go a Mazda dealer would have been expensive. But thanks to this advice I saved money, time and hassle. Thank you Marco.

 

car off, took off the gas cap, disconnected the battery cables, put the gas cap back on until you here clicking on the gas cap, connected the battery cables and turn car on and check engine light no longer on.

 

I have a 2000 Miata with 89000 miles on it. Yesturday it ran fine ost of the day. Later when I started it up it kind of sputter, the idle shot up and then the check engine light came on, but it ran fine going home. Any ideas? No AutoZones nearby for me to go to.....

 

The gas cap / battery cable thing solved this problem for me as well on my 2000 Miata SE.

 

Also ::: in the state of CA, the Autozone is now barred from running the test thanks to our legislature. Any other state will allow them to do it.

 

I have a 2008 Miata with 35,850 miles on it. Out of nowhere the check engine light came on. I was a little skeptical about the fuel cap and battery cable removal but I tried it and it worked like a charm. Please note that I had no problems with the car, my fuel mileage was the same as always and I was very careful with the battery connections. It was also a good opportunity to clean all the connections with a terminal cleaner and add a little distilled water to my original battery!

 

We have a 2006 Miata which has had issues with the check engine light coming on for several years. I have always just unhooked the battery and reset. Yesterday I had a check and got codes for thermostat and oxygen sensor. Had a friend change both and check engine light is off and hopefully the issue is finally solved