1997 Pontiac Firebird Check Engine Light Diagnosis & Testing Cost

When the Check Engine Light comes on, you may experience engine performance issues such as poor acceleration, rough idling, or an engine that won't start. In some cases, no abnormal symptoms will be experienced. Other systems like the transmission or ABS can cause the Check Engine Light to illuminate and lights for those systems can come on at the same time. Similar lights may say "Check Engine Soon", "Malfunction Indicator Light" or just "Check". In rare case the engine can overheat.

Whenever the Check Engine Light is on there's a possibility the engine is emitting excessive emissions out the tailpipe. In extreme cases other parts in the system can be damaged, like the Catalytic Converter or Oxygen Sensor. Whether you experience performance problems or not, a flashing CEL indicates that an engine misfire has occurred. When this happens you should pull off the road and not drive the vehicle as this will damage the Catalytic Converter, which can cost over $1000 to replace.

The Check Engine Light can come on at anytime and at any vehicle age. It is not uncommon for this to happen while the car is under warranty and at anytime during the remainder of the vehicle's life.

A professional will connect a diagnostic scan tool to read out the diagnostic trouble codes stored in the vehicle. They should check every system in the vehicle as the light can be illuminated from other things like the transmission or ABS system. There can be numerous codes stored in the computer for days, weeks or months so it's important to identify the code that is causing the light to illuminate. The computer can store additional data like when the code was set, how many times it was set, and the sensor reading at the time it was set. All this info is used to start the diagnostic process. Can manufacturers release information called Technical Service Bulletins that may shine a light on why a code was set. Professional mechanics will always check these before diving too deep into any issues that caused the light to come on. Depending on why the code came on, mechanics will test out the sensors or other items like the injectors, fuel pump, spark plugs or just about any other part on the engine. Once a failed part is identified the mechanic replaces the part, resets the trouble codes then drives the car to verify the issue has been resolved.

A Check Engine Light is turned on when the engine control module detects a fault in the emissions system. One or more diagnostic codes will be stored in the engine module. These codes are just one piece of information the shop will use to diagnose the problem. Each code has a diagnostic procedure that must be followed to properly identify the problem.

Some vehicles may display this warning light as the SES (Service Engine Soon) or MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light).

We recommend that you never replace a part based on only the diagnostic trouble code from the engine computer. Have the system diagnosed by a professional to ensure you don't spend money on parts that aren't needed. When a shop works on your car for this issue ask them to record all the codes stored in the vehicle on the repair order. If they are having trouble diagnosing an issue, ask them if they've checked the Technical Service Bulletins as these can help to identify really hard problems.