87 year mod. Service Engine Soon Question
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Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Whetstone Arizona
87 year mod. Service Engine Soon Question
I'm new to Corvettes. Purchased an 87 convertable with 69200 miles last November. The Service Engine Soon light comes on occasionally.
My questions are:
1) What exactly is it that constitutes an Engine Service?
2) How to reset the info panel to get the light to stay off?
3) what exactly is it that makes the light come on in the first place?
One other question. Why doesn't my "Back Button" work after I've read a post and want to go back to the page I was on?
Thanks in advance for any help givin.
Waddie
My questions are:
1) What exactly is it that constitutes an Engine Service?
2) How to reset the info panel to get the light to stay off?
3) what exactly is it that makes the light come on in the first place?
One other question. Why doesn't my "Back Button" work after I've read a post and want to go back to the page I was on?
Thanks in advance for any help givin.
Waddie
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 610
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From: Seattle Wa
Your service engine soon, or ses, is to tell you what's wrong with you car. Google how to retrieve trouble codes for GM's obd1. You can either buy a plugin device, or use a paper clip to jump the terminals at your diagnostic port. Once you've done this, you can turn your key on, and start counting the amount of times the ses light flashes. Iirc the first number it will flash is 12, and it will do it 3 times. So it will flash, 1, then 1,2, and it will do this 3 times. After that it will flash the code for the trouble it is seeing. So for example, 23 would be 1,2 pause 1,2,3. You can also Google a list on what the codes mean. h
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Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The two pins on the ALDL you need to "jump" using a paper clip are the two right-most pins on the upper row. Bend a small paper clip so the ends will push in.
With the clip in place, turn the ignition to ON but don't start the engine. Note that the cooling fans will start. As mentioned, the SES light will begin to flash The Code 12 is both the start and end of the flash sequence. After the first Code 12, the actual trouble codes appear. Note that there could be more than one trouble code.
Once you have the codes, post them here.
As far a turning off the light, it can be done by simply disconnecting the negative battery cable. But if the problem is not fixed, the light will come back on as soon as the ECM sees a problem.
For the "Back button" issue, go the the Help section of the forum (bottom of the index page). There is a thread about that problem.
With the clip in place, turn the ignition to ON but don't start the engine. Note that the cooling fans will start. As mentioned, the SES light will begin to flash The Code 12 is both the start and end of the flash sequence. After the first Code 12, the actual trouble codes appear. Note that there could be more than one trouble code.
Once you have the codes, post them here.
As far a turning off the light, it can be done by simply disconnecting the negative battery cable. But if the problem is not fixed, the light will come back on as soon as the ECM sees a problem.
For the "Back button" issue, go the the Help section of the forum (bottom of the index page). There is a thread about that problem.
Last edited by c4cruiser; May 25, 2013 at 09:29 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
BTW, to reset the codes you need not disconnect the batt + lead entirely. There is a smaller red wire near the batt with a connector; just open that connector for >30sec to clear stored codes and save your clock/radio settings.
BTW, after you clear codes the ECM will need to relearn fuel corrections (BLM settings) so just drive normally for a few miles to make this happen.
BTW, after you clear codes the ECM will need to relearn fuel corrections (BLM settings) so just drive normally for a few miles to make this happen.
