SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
SERVICE ENGINE SOON light
Every once in a while my 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' light comes on while I am driving the car, and then the next time I start it up the light does not come on. Because the light comes on only occasionally, I have let this go for several months. The owners manual says that I am risking engine damage if I don't get it taken care of. I am wondering what is normally required to take care of this problem and what the cost is? It is an LT1 engine. I appreciate any advice you can give me on this item.
Thanks, and happy motoring!!
Thanks, and happy motoring!!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Every once in a while my 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' light comes on while I am driving the car, and then the next time I start it up the light does not come on. Because the light comes on only occasionally, I have let this go for several months. The owners manual says that I am risking engine damage if I don't get it taken care of. I am wondering what is normally required to take care of this problem and what the cost is? It is an LT1 engine. I appreciate any advice you can give me on this item.
Thanks, and happy motoring!!
Thanks, and happy motoring!!
As suggested pulling the stored code will at least point you in the right direction. I can tell you that "letting it go" is not a sound strategy since such things almost never repair themselves.
Many parts stores will connect a code reader to check codes for free hoping to sell you a sensor so that should cost you nothing. The same thing can even be done yourself by jumping pins in the ALDL connector and counting the flash codes displayed by the check engine light (MIL).
Replacing the sensor associated with the stored code is NOT the correct way to diagnose or repair the problem in spite of what they may say at the parts store. If you don't have a FSM, and some basic tools for doing diagnosis a better idea would be to take it to mechanic you trust, good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Since the possibilities for an illuminated check engine light are nearly endless there is no answer concerning what it "normally" takes to repair.
As suggested pulling the stored code will at least point you in the right direction. I can tell you that "letting it go" is not a sound strategy since such things almost never repair themselves.
Many parts stores will connect a code reader to check codes for free hoping to sell you a sensor so that should cost you nothing. The same thing can even be done yourself by jumping pins in the ALDL connector and counting the flash codes displayed by the check engine light (MIL).
Replacing the sensor associated with the stored code is NOT the correct way to diagnose or repair the problem in spite of what they may say at the parts store. If you don't have a FSM, and some basic tools for doing diagnosis a better idea would be to take it to mechanic you trust, good luck.
As suggested pulling the stored code will at least point you in the right direction. I can tell you that "letting it go" is not a sound strategy since such things almost never repair themselves.
Many parts stores will connect a code reader to check codes for free hoping to sell you a sensor so that should cost you nothing. The same thing can even be done yourself by jumping pins in the ALDL connector and counting the flash codes displayed by the check engine light (MIL).
Replacing the sensor associated with the stored code is NOT the correct way to diagnose or repair the problem in spite of what they may say at the parts store. If you don't have a FSM, and some basic tools for doing diagnosis a better idea would be to take it to mechanic you trust, good luck.
on all counts. 
If your pocket is deep enough ill come and fix it for you, and i garrentee it will be done right first go
Race Director
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You could fly Case from Brisbane to Salt Lake City, round trip for only $1,973.93 US. Might be a bargain. The tab for feeding, watering and entertaining him in style might add a bit more to the cost!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: FL
And be warned he isn't a beer drinker, expensive scotch is the poison of choice!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
But back onto the task at hand, get yourself a paper clip, look under the dash and connect terminals A and G, turn the key on but dont start the engine, then see what codes you get from it. They should be displayed on the digital screen where the speedo would normally be.
The ALDL connector will look abit like this:
For further info, click here: http://www.c4guru.com/articles/CCMCodePull.pdf
Report back to us with what you find and we can move forward from there
The ALDL connector will look abit like this:
For further info, click here: http://www.c4guru.com/articles/CCMCodePull.pdf
Report back to us with what you find and we can move forward from there
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 9
From: Minneapolis MN
Replacing the sensor associated with the stored code is NOT the correct way to diagnose or repair the problem in spite of what they may say at the parts store. If you don't have a FSM, and some basic tools for doing diagnosis a better idea would be to take it to mechanic you trust, good luck.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 399
Likes: 2
From: Vail Arizona
not as smart as you guys
I have a 91 that i bought a few weeks ago. Long story short, it now runs. I drove it yesteday on the highway for an hour. trying to get it hot and have the injection cleaner i put in the gas clean the injectors.
anyway my sytem light came on. i see the paper clip method. But can i get the same result by having Auto Zone hook up a tester to the car?
I have to go there today to get a transmission filter anyway
anyway my sytem light came on. i see the paper clip method. But can i get the same result by having Auto Zone hook up a tester to the car?
I have to go there today to get a transmission filter anyway
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
ChiefC, you can get the same result by using Auto Zone to hook up a scanner. Some people like to do things themselves. Sometimes the car wont run and taking it to Auto Zone is out of the question, but as long as you have power in the battery, the paper clip will get you the stored codes any place and any time you like
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 367
Likes: 0
From: Beaver Dam Kentucky
But back onto the task at hand, get yourself a paper clip, look under the dash and connect terminals A and G, turn the key on but dont start the engine, then see what codes you get from it. They should be displayed on the digital screen where the speedo would normally be.
The ALDL connector will look abit like this:
For further info, click here: http://www.c4guru.com/articles/CCMCodePull.pdf
Report back to us with what you find and we can move forward from there
The ALDL connector will look abit like this:
For further info, click here: http://www.c4guru.com/articles/CCMCodePull.pdf
Report back to us with what you find and we can move forward from there
Great info there. Thanks
Navigator
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Rugby warwickshire
Don't know if it will help had the same intermitent check engine light come on and go off, put on my tester ( Auto X Ray ) and it said right 02 sensor,but since i have started using a different gas station that sells proper octaine gas and not the cheap stuff the problem appears to have stopped. It's been a few months now and all is well.
Race Director
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From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
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