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Check engine light op question......

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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 10:07 AM
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Default Check engine light op question......

Hi; I know my 91 (L98) has the OBDl system and I'm going to jump A&B and count the times flashed to hopefully get a code for direction but I'm a little confused and need some info.
Yesterday while on a longer drive since repairs (intake gaskets, flush, oil & lube, exhaust Y-pipe replaced with NO cats & center cat replaced-all cats were plugged) I finally noticed (top down-sun glare) that the check engine light had come on. I continued on, as gauges were all good, arrived and parked for 5 hours. When I fired it back up their was no light on and it continued that way for about a 1/2 hour of again freeway driving and then reappeared. When I stopped again I shut down and immediately refired and the light again was off. On the way home it popped on again after 15 minutes or so.
I believe on OBDll that once the light comes on it stays on and immediately appears after that when you refire. Is that also true on OBDl and is something strange happening? I sure hope it's a leaky gas cap!
Thanks, Frank
PS: Will my OBDll reader work on the OBDl system?

Last edited by Frank C; Jul 16, 2010 at 10:09 AM. Reason: adding
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Frank C
Hi; I know my 91 (L98) has the OBDl system and I'm going to jump A&B and count the times flashed to hopefully get a code for direction but I'm a little confused and need some info.
Yesterday while on a longer drive since repairs (intake gaskets, flush, oil & lube, exhaust Y-pipe replaced with NO cats & center cat replaced-all cats were plugged) I finally noticed (top down-sun glare) that the check engine light had come on. I continued on, as gauges were all good, arrived and parked for 5 hours. When I fired it back up their was no light on and it continued that way for about a 1/2 hour of again freeway driving and then reappeared. When I stopped again I shut down and immediately refired and the light again was off. On the way home it popped on again after 15 minutes or so.
I believe on OBDll that once the light comes on it stays on and immediately appears after that when you refire. Is that also true on OBDl and is something strange happening? I sure hope it's a leaky gas cap!
Thanks, Frank
PS: Will my OBDll reader work on the OBDl system?
I dont think you are using the right terminals on the obd1 port.

Get the codes and post up the codes.

That sounds like a code 32 to me. EGR problem. On long cruise's it will show up and disapear later after driving.

2 kinds of codes. Soft code is what you are seeing. Hard codes stay lit.

Good luck

Corvette Mike
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 10:58 AM
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Sounds like you're a bit nervous about pulling your trouble codes for the first time. It's ok.

Stop by AutoZone and pick up one of those free OBD 1 code keys.

They're pre-cut to fit into the data terminal diagnostic port and minimize the possibility of patching into the wrong row of connectors.
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by onedef92
Sounds like you're a bit nervous about pulling your trouble codes for the first time. It's ok.

Stop by AutoZone and pick up one of those free OBD 1 code keys.

They're pre-cut to fit into the data terminal diagnostic port and minimize the possibility of patching into the wrong row of connectors.
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 11:15 AM
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Thanks Guys; No, not nervous just unsure about light duration. It has been a long time since I jumped the A&B with a paper clip and counted the flashes. Didn't know about that AutoZone benny. I'll check into it.
Meanwhile, will my OBD 2 reader work on a OBD l system to read the codes.
I did check the EGR at gasket time (2 weeks) and it was working but ya never know.
Nice to know that the reason for the lights disappearance is a soft code as opposed to a hard one. Didn't know that there were two kinds... Thanks again, Frank
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by onedef92
Stop by AutoZone and pick up one of those free OBD 1 code keys.
Good tip!

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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 06:59 PM
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Yes Mike, it was #32. Now what; make sure the vacuum hose is attached but if it's a bad EGR does that mean the TPI plenum must come off to replace? Thanks, Frank
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 07:04 PM
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Frank C
Yes Mike, it was #32. Now what; make sure the vacuum hose is attached but if it's a bad EGR does that mean the TPI plenum must come off to replace? Thanks, Frank
Its not nessessarly your egr valve. If it is, yes the plenum needs to come off.

Use a dental mirror under egr valve and see if you can see any movement. Good luck.

Your car will run fine like this.

Mike
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 07:08 PM
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Yikes! I guess you were ready for me. Thanks a lot.......
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 07:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Frank C
Yikes! I guess you were ready for me. Thanks a lot.......
Alot of times its something simple. Check your vacuum lines.
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 08:47 PM
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Good news, I took a peek and saw the vacuum line just laying there unattached. I reattached it and if the light stays off I'll disconnect the battery to clear the codes, and reset all the radio stations, again. Turned out even better then a gas cap.
Thanks to all and especially Corvette Mike 2004, Frank
Now back to that big block, overheating at idle, 32..............
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 08:49 PM
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What big block? I like big blocks.

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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 09:12 PM
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My 32 has a 30 over (402) 68/396. Lumpy cam, small port heads, Performer under a 750 Edelbrock. 700R4 with a 9"/3.50 posi and Wilwoods at the corners. At 68 years and ageing the steelpacks are getting a little loud on long trips. When caught in traffic she has a tendency to run a little hot. 220 And climbing has been the latest trick. It's a Griffin with a 2800 rpm puller and no shroud but that shouldn't be a problem or at least it hadn't been till I was at a Columbus GoodGuys and over heated in line, on the freeway. Dumb on my part but...............240's not to high is it? I've got a vacuum Unilite to install for the now mechanical Unilite and I should advance to at least 12', 10.5 now and that all would help cool it at idle. Have to pull the engine to get the 1/2" longer Dist in or cut the firewall so I've been putting it off for a while now. Summer lazy I guess!
I have an couple of engine pics but don't do pics well here.............Frank
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Old Jul 16, 2010 | 09:14 PM
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