Wait till Check engine light goes off to start the car?
 

Is it true that (according to a mechanic) is better to wait, when you turn the ignition on, for the check engine light to go off before starting the car? Supposedly this procedure will make the main relay last longer. Any input on this

Thanks

yup. it's true and i noticed that the car runs better if i let the light turn off before starting it.

these are things that should be included in the car manual. I never knew this.

I have never heard that before. Never really thought about it I guess.

Damn, I've never heard of that :o

Me neither. I agree that something like this ought to be included in the user manual.

b

wow...interesting...i gota start doing that...i just let her rip..and go:crazy:

i don't have the manual for the accord, but on my old subaru it did say that.

Does someone know what is the difference if you wait or don't wait for the light to go off? I mean internally in the car, could it be that a sort of selfdiagnosis goes on while the light is on or something like that?

it doesnt matter if u wait for the light or not. its the same thing the main relay is still makin contact when u wait for the light. everytime u turn the ignition on the main relay still make contact.so u cant really go around it, u gotta start the car

Mine stays on during the the couple seconds that the fuel pump runs. Would it be better or worse to wait for the fuel pump to finish priming before starting?

Also do the sensors need those couple of seconds to initialize before starting the car?

I can notice a slight difference for the better if I wait for the light to go off before starting the car.

b

Mine starts easier if I wait for the light to go off, bout "0.05" seconds easier, so does my wife's LXi 1989. More noticeable in the morning when cold.

I somehow missed this thread..

You should wait for the CEL to off, so that is has time to run self-checks and let fule pump prime iteself..

Why should you let the fuel pump prime itself? Becaus it brings the injectors to full pressure before cranking.

The car will fire (in most cases), regardless of if you wait or not.. But if you do wait, your mechanical components are following they're normal cylce. Otherwise, it amounts to a slight shock/ "trauma", every time..

:)