My '98 Sebring conv. lit the "Service Engine Soon" indicator yesterday, and I can't find anything wrong, or clear it. Is there a way to retrieve the trouble codes without the use of a scanner? I tried the "on-off-on-off-on" trick, but that doesn't seem to work on this vehicle. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

Take it to Autozone. In most states they'll read the codes for you for free.

 

Try the key-dance-method 3-5 times, then maybe it will work

 

Thanks for the advice, friends. I'll try the 3-5X key dance trick for the future but, believe it or not I was able to clear the "Service Engine Soon" light by simply removing the gas cap for a few seconds, cracking open the anti-spill flapper in the fuel filler tube, and then replacing the gas cap.

This car lives in the garage in Florida for months at a time, and whenever I leave, I always fill the tank to eliminate the potential for corrosion. Although it didn't throw the light for a few days after I returned, I suppose fuel expansion caused something in the emissions system to read out of tolerance, and gave me the light. For now, at least, problem solved!

 

Could be that the gas cap wasn't on tight. It's supposed to be on tight to prevent vapor leakage from the tank. If it's not on tight, the system leaks and you get a P0455 code.

 

The cap was definitely on tight. I use a locking cap on that car, and it was secure when I removed it. I've gone through at least twenty start cycles since then, and it is still clear, so I suppose it got happy. Go figure.

Thanks for the advice.