QUOTE(Slacker @ Apr 19 2006, 01:26 AM)
actually if you want to get technical it is a learning thing. the computer that is built into your car is not recognizing the old signals so it displays the service engine. after about a 24 hour rest or leaving the car off and pulling (i dont remember what but i know there is something you can unplug and plug back in) and it will reset. its just like the change oil light if you let it go for a few days after it comes on then change the oil you have to let it sit so it reregisters your info. only reason i know this is cause i had that happen on my old car. remember cars do have computers most parts are "plug n play" but sometimes there not.
please correct me if anything i have said is wrong.
[right][snapback]51904[/snapback][/right]
nope, you're wrong.
there ARE adaptive parts of the car. The idle, the shift quality and timing (if equipped with an automatic), but thats it.
if your light is on, you are OUT of the acceptable parameters of a given sensor/circuit/emission componant.
the light comes on anytime ANYTHING exceeds the pretermined maximum emission output. there is no way for the car to "learn" to run with excessive pollutants being emitted.