Check Engine light on at 500 miles? & Charging issues :-(

[kesnik]

I picked up my Volt on Sunday 4/22/12 and 2 days ago the check engine light came on. The check engine light is on solid and not blinking. The Volt has about 500 miles on it now. If I'm not mistaken the owners manual says it a emmissions problem...

I am also having another (possibly related?) problem with charging my Volt.

I plug in the charger and wait for the lights to go green. I plug in the Volt and the dash indicator light goes green. After a while the dash light will flash orange and the Volt will stop charging. I’m not sure if this is a problem with the car or the charging unit. I called the Volt advisor and he said “as long as the lights are green on the charger it should be functioning” indicating the problem was with the car itself. Am I doing something wrong?

Thinking back, I’m not sure I have ever had a full charge on my Volt because it kicks off like this before it gets a full charge. I do use an extension cord but it’s a construction grade with 12 gauge wire. I have also tried charging in a different location and had the same problem. This alternate location is a different residence altogether and the plug situation is close enough so I don’t have to use the extension cord.

So needless to say I’m a little upset, I’m just hoping it’s not a major issue. Does anyone have insight into these problems?

-Kesnik

[saghost]

I picked up my Volt on Sunday 4/22/12 and 2 days ago the check engine light came on. The check engine light is on solid and not blinking. The Volt has about 500 miles on it now. If I'm not mistaken the owners manual says it a emmissions problem...

I am also having another (possibly related?) problem with charging my Volt.

I plug in the charger and wait for the lights to go green. I plug in the Volt and the dash indicator light goes green. After a while the dash light will flash orange and the Volt will stop charging. I’m not sure if this is a problem with the car or the charging unit. I called the Volt advisor and he said “as long as the lights are green on the charger it should be functioning” indicating the problem was with the car itself. Am I doing something wrong?

Thinking back, I’m not sure I have ever had a full charge on my Volt because it kicks off like this before it gets a full charge. I do use an extension cord but it’s a construction grade with 12 gauge wire. I have also tried charging in a different location and had the same problem. This alternate location is a different residence altogether and the plug situation is close enough so I don’t have to use the extension cord.

So needless to say I’m a little upset, I’m just hoping it’s not a major issue. Does anyone have insight into these problems?

-Kesnik

I don't know what your exact problem is, but it sounds like either the car doesn't like your power or there's a fault in the car side charging system. The obvious thing is to take it to the dealer - this is why cars have warranties. If you want more information before doing that, press the blue Onstar button. One of the interesting features of the Volt I haven't seen before is remote diagnostics - Onstar can read the codes right out of the car's computers, though they aren't technicians and sometimes get tripped up interpretting them.

[BAZINGA]

I believe you need to go see your dealer, it should be easy for them to plug in to the ODBII port and find out what's going on.

Goog luck

[kesnik]

I have made an appointment already but I wanted to see what you guys had to say about this, maybe I was missing something.

Thanks :-/

-kesnik

[Luvthevolt]

Sorry that you are dealing with this on a new Volt. This isn't typical but let the dealer look at and hope its just your charger. Please keep us posted.

[CarZin]

Onstar is your friend. Get in your car, and press the blue button. They will hand you over to a volt specialist that will actually read your check engine light code and tell you what is going on.

[Henry_FL]

If you have the means, check the voltage at the outlet when charging, I suspect you have a significant drop due to the house wiring

I believe that the Volt CEL comes on when a charge is disconnected and the keyfob is not in range. It will clear with three power cycles of the car

[tboult]

Depending on the charging issue it could be the cause of the MIL light.. As others said check the code with onstat whch can tell you how critical is the timing to get to the dealer.

[TheProgrammerGuy]

CEL? MIL??
Anyway... I just wanted to say that my car had the "check engine" light on when I picked it up at the purchase (didn't notice it until I was almost home). I figured it probably had something to do with the fuel system so I opened and closed the fuel filler door and it went away. That was almost 2 months ago and all is well.

[CarZin]

I've had a check engine light twice, both due to connecting to a broken charging station.