# Check engine light **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** lesabre, engines, buick\ **Created:** [January 23, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/60334 "2011-01-23T00:03:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jpolcyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90db22/32.png) [@jpolcyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jpolcyn)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 12:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/60334/1 "2011-01-23T00:03:01Z")
What are possible causes for"check engine light" being on continuously. 1997 Buick ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/60334/2 "2011-01-23T00:09:07Z")
Here’s a list of SOME of them: [http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble\_codes/](http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/) Take it to a chain-type auto parts store. Most will scan it and read the codes for free. Write down the exact code (as in “P1234”) and you can post it here. ---
**Author:** ![bscar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bscar/32/34_2.png) [@bscar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bscar)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/60334/3 "2011-01-23T05:23:00Z")
Anything from a loose gas cap to a misfire in the spark plugs can cause a check engine light ---
**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/check-engine-light/60334/4 "2011-01-23T05:24:44Z")
The possible causes is a list 634 pages long. And that is just the most popular ‘P’ codes, not all of them. The cause is a simple as hooking up a scan tool and retrieving the code. Many auto parts stores will do this for free.