check engine light
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: check engine light (jonny4523)
are we talkin about the check engine light on yur 77 vette? Usually the computor makes the light come on after its recieved a trouble code from one of the sensors. The trouble codes are stored in the computor. on many GM models its easy to read the trouble codes to see whats causing the light to come on. I put a couple of pics below to show you what the diagnostic connector looks like. Its usually visible along the underside of the dash. Check to see if yur car has one of these. If so I can tell you how to read it with a simple paperclip. Post back if yur car has one of these.
this is what the cover looks like
this is what the connector looks like when the cover is removed
this is what the cover looks like
this is what the connector looks like when the cover is removed
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 2,386
Likes: 3
From: far, far away
Re: check engine light (jonny4523)
On a '77, I don't know. The first year for a computerized control system on a Corvette was '81. From that year on, a "check engine" light on meant an emissions control system malfunction. That is, some parameter was outside its normal operating range; for example, if the oxygen sensor is reading an overly rich exhaust, and the computer cannot make adjustments to bring that reading into the normal range, then the computer turns on the light.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 2
From: York PA
Re: check engine light (Gator81)
On a '77, I don't know. The first year for a computerized control system on a Corvette was '81. From that year on, a "check engine" light on meant an emissions control system malfunction. That is, some parameter was outside its normal operating range; for example, if the oxygen sensor is reading an overly rich exhaust, and the computer cannot make adjustments to bring that reading into the normal range, then the computer turns on the light.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: check engine light (Gator81)
Thats what I thought. I didnt think a 77 had a check engine light so thats why I asked. But if it does, and it looks like the one in the pic I posted above, I can explain how to easiely read the computors stored trouble codes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Re: check engine light (jonny4523)
:iagree:
No Check engine light on my 79, no computer controls, yet. I will as soon as I swap into a TPI unit, but in 1979, NO Check Engine Light. Are you asking about your '77? or another car.. Emissions is usually the culprit, i.e MAF Sensor, O2 sensor, EGR, PCV, etc....
No Check engine light on my 79, no computer controls, yet. I will as soon as I swap into a TPI unit, but in 1979, NO Check Engine Light. Are you asking about your '77? or another car.. Emissions is usually the culprit, i.e MAF Sensor, O2 sensor, EGR, PCV, etc....
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: check engine light (timbo79)
Sorry, I havent been home in a few days.
I was asking for my truck. its a 95 dakota. Everything seems to be running fine but that dang light comes on and its annoys the crap out of me.
I was asking for my truck. its a 95 dakota. Everything seems to be running fine but that dang light comes on and its annoys the crap out of me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: check engine light (jonny4523)
Sometimes you can get a false trigger on a trouble code. Try this: Dis-connect the battery for 10 seconds then re-connect. That should erase the trouble codes. At least GM is that way. Just make sure the key is not in the ignition when you do it. if you disconnect the battery while the key is in the on position it will erase all data in computor. Thats not a good thing.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 896
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette, Indiana
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Re: check engine light (Jvette73)
Thats what I thought. I didnt think a 77 had a check engine light so thats why I asked. But if it does, and it looks like the one in the pic I posted above, I can explain how to easiely read the computors stored trouble codes.
