Help! Return to Ford light on display!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,229
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
Help! Return to Ford light on display!
3week old 96 LT4 is dead in the garage! Quit the other nite at a red light. Digital temp displays 32*. After I finally got it to move again the temp flipped back to 198* on the display and it ran fine till I got it back home. Fired it up today and it got as far as the end of the driveway and started that crap again, only the service engine light came on this time too. Which sensor do I look for and where is it physically located. I'm new to Vetts and haven't got a clue as to the terminology you GM guys use to describe these devices. Didn't get any help over on the tech site, just a nice welcome. I'm already pretty discouraged with this thing. Haven't even made the first payment on this thing yet and already it's broke! 
I'm glad I kept at least one Ford to chase parts with.
I'm glad I kept at least one Ford to chase parts with.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,878
Likes: 2
From: Madison Mississippi
Call a local autoparts store (autozone, advance auto, napa, etc) and see if they have a OBD2 code reader for your car. If it won't drive to them see if they have a loaner program for the reader. Once you have it, see what codes your vette brings up. This will tell you what needs to be checked out...
Good luck!
Good luck!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
You need to pull the diagnostic codes.
This should get you started:
ODB-II Codes/Connector
I would highly advise ordering a set of Factory Service Manuals (Helm). You'll need them to decipher and troubleshoot. Worth their weight in gold.
Corvette's are very personal cars, when they are down it's very upsetting. When they are running and purring, there is no better car on the planet. Not sure about the Ford comments. New car or used car they all break down especially when you least expect it.
This should get you started:
ODB-II Codes/Connector
I would highly advise ordering a set of Factory Service Manuals (Helm). You'll need them to decipher and troubleshoot. Worth their weight in gold.
Corvette's are very personal cars, when they are down it's very upsetting. When they are running and purring, there is no better car on the planet. Not sure about the Ford comments. New car or used car they all break down especially when you least expect it.
Last edited by Jet-Jock; Mar 20, 2006 at 11:59 PM. Reason: moved the link back one level so you get all the info
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,556
Likes: 0
From: Jenison MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Originally Posted by Jet-Jock
New car or used car they all break down especially when you least expect it.
Remember, it's 3 weeks old to you but 12 years old to the world. The Helms is worth it. 
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,229
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
A bit Bummed but working on my attitude!
Thanks for the help. I guess getting the codes would help a lot.
Been reading in the archives about all the temp sensors and the problems they can cause. I've read the ECM coolant temp sensor (they say that one is below the Throttle Body in the Manifold) can cause drivability problems when it goes bad. It is also the main fan controller. That would seem to go with this problem as I did notice the fans turned on right after I started it up, and it was stone cold (More like 65*) from sitting in the garage over night. Am I learning anything here?
Those of you that believe in telekinesis please raise my hand!
Been reading in the archives about all the temp sensors and the problems they can cause. I've read the ECM coolant temp sensor (they say that one is below the Throttle Body in the Manifold) can cause drivability problems when it goes bad. It is also the main fan controller. That would seem to go with this problem as I did notice the fans turned on right after I started it up, and it was stone cold (More like 65*) from sitting in the garage over night. Am I learning anything here?
Those of you that believe in telekinesis please raise my hand!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
You will figure this out. Don't give up. As soon as you get her fixed take her down to the Riverwalk and relax with a couple of cold Coronas and a good Tex-Mex lunch. Take your favorite hot Senorita along for the ride and enjoy. Life will be good again soon.
All you gotsta do is get those codes and the experts here will guide you through any problems.
All you gotsta do is get those codes and the experts here will guide you through any problems.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
i've had my '85 for about 2 months now and have driven it about everyday. I know old cars can break down when you least expect it, so i'm just kinda waiting for the day when it happens, but so far not a single thing has gone wrong. Maybe i'm just lucky?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The only reliable American vehicle I have is a BMX.
Is there no way to pull codes on a OBD2 chevy without a reader? Such as by cycling the ignition and/or odometer reset?
Is there no way to pull codes on a OBD2 chevy without a reader? Such as by cycling the ignition and/or odometer reset?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
The link I posted only went to the connector, I edited the thread and the link now takes you to the home page of ODB-II. Sorry about that.
If your AC is in Auto/MAX (or ON manual AC) your primary fan will come on right after it starts. That is normal the high pressure switch is telling the ECM/PCM to command it on. If it's fairly cold it will cycle off.
I'd wait to get the codes to start the process of diagnostics. Otherwise your just guessing.
If your AC is in Auto/MAX (or ON manual AC) your primary fan will come on right after it starts. That is normal the high pressure switch is telling the ECM/PCM to command it on. If it's fairly cold it will cycle off.
I'd wait to get the codes to start the process of diagnostics. Otherwise your just guessing.