sensor issue? or something more?

Question

I have a 2004 Dodge Neon SXT. 

Its been a great car and ran wonderfully until the ethanol gas started to hit the market. ever since then the car gets jumpy when sitting at a stop, whether its just simply me idling in park or waiting at a light with my brakes applied.

I took a road trip that went through states that I couldn't escape having to put gas with ethanol in back in october and that was when I noticed my car starting to act funny. first time my check engine light came on was right after I took the trip and filled up with real gas again. a trip to the dealership told me that I needed a battery and my brakes flushed, but nothing else.

back in January check engine light came on again. had a situation in which I had to put ethanol gas in, light went off.

when the light came on again last week, just to see I put in ethanol gas, the light went off. as soon as I filled up with real gas again, the light came back on.

any ideas as to what is going on with my car?

Handyman · Accepted Answer

I believe your sensors (which they are many of them ) as just adjusted to the ethanol gas vapors, then when you put the real gas back into your car  the 02 sensors start to read the vapor from the new gas causing the 02 sensors to think that the fuel mixtures are off ,so your check light light come on.,,

genlee69rt01 · Answer

Actually there is amounts of ethanol in most gas now days. What do you mean by jumpy? Is the car actually trying to move forward when your stopped? If your in park does it rev higher?

The check engine light would not be caused by a battery or a brake problem so rule those out.

Sometimes on automatic transmissions you can have torque converter surging if the converter is worn out. It will literally feel like something is pushing your car even when your not giving it more gas. It usually happens when your moving and makes a slight noise.

Charlie · Answer

Every gas in the states has ethanol  in it.  Have you had the code(s) checked?  Might just be a bad gas cap.  Might have to change to a higher octane gas, or needs a tune up.

toyota specalists · Answer

YOUR CAR HAS AS O2 SENSOR AND IT IS LAZY THAT MOST LIKELY IS THE CUES  BUT ALSO SEE IF YOU ARE DUE FOR A TUNE UP CHECK THE AIR FILTER MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAN .
      AND IF YOU HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THERE IS A SERVICE CODE IN THE MEMORY OF THE ECU HAVE IT CHECKED THAT SHOULD  ALSO GUIDE YOU

sensor issue? or something more?

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