Would there be any way putting a magnet just above the oil drain plug could cause a check engine light?

I kinda swiped your idea (although I did think of it on my own years ago) and "magnetized" my car. I have 4 hard drive magnets on the tranny pan, and I put one right over the oil drain plug. Then I got a check engine light. I'm hoping to get the code this weekend, but for now everything runs perfectly.

Is there a sensor I'm fraking out or killing in the oil pan?

And I know the quick fix, remove the magnet. I just thought of this right now, tho, as it'* snowing outside....

OK, I gotta ask. Why do you have magnets on your oil pan?

the magnets will hold any fine metal particals to the bottom of the pan.

Most metals in the oil pan will be copper or brass. Very little steel or iron should normally be present.

The transmission is a different story.

I just so happen to have two hard drive magnets in my room. Nice

I have 10 on my tranny pan right now. I firmly believe they're the #1 reason my trans hasn't ENTIRELY fragged. After the new trans goes in, I'll probably run 5 or 6.

http://www.williamwren.com/BonnevillePics/magnets.JPG

http://www.williamwren.com/bonnevillepics/pan.jpg

I think there is a magnet on the tip of your drain plug. If you need magnets on your oil pan to catch metal particals, you have bigger problems than you think. Have you ever heard of an engine failing because there was no magnet put on the pan? If your engine is generating enough metal shavings for magnets to be neccessary then you are doomed anyway. The engine will eat itself alive from within.

Ten! on the tranny pan? There already is one inside.
I think you guys are paranoid. Relax.

So, the concensus is:

A: Unneccessary, or stupid (as some have almost implied )

and

B: No sensor in that area to affect

Or, am I right and noone addressed B?

yes you must understand that Will'* trans is on its LAST leg right now

Mine isn't far behind