engine needs service light
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: carlsbad ca
engine needs service light
Ok, I'm new to the corvette world as I noted in my no heat question. But this light will come on after a long drive. Any simple check? I hope this is not like my Harley where everyting is HD, or, hundred dollars?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: engine needs service light (1990white)
welcome to the corvette world :hurray:
the C4 vette is an impressive sport's car as I'm sure you know.
its also one complex puppy and should come with a very large manual :jester
I highly recommend buying one, chilton or equivalant is better than nothing, but a GM service manual (expensive) is better yet (both would be best).
the service engine light is saying that the computer has logged an abnormal input from one or more of the sensor's.
if your into "do it yourself" work then you'll need to find out what terminals to jump on the ALDL to get that light to flash out what code number's have been set (the terminal's can vary from year to year so make sure you get the right ones from a correct manual).
this only sounds confusing, once you learn what things are called (they use alot of names like ALDL, ECM ect ect) then its not too bad.
will it be expensive?
maybe.
even the cars computer won't tell you just what the problem is. it will give an area (like ignition or EGR system, ect ect) where the problem was detected.
the service manual will give you test's to perform to hopefully weed out the problem by eliminating each part in that system.
now if your depressed from reading all that and are ready to take it to a dealer for service. don't!!!
at least not until you have talked to some corvette owners in your area. You will want to find a shop that has a very good reputation for working on vettes.
most mechanics don't know enough about vettes so they just throw parts at it till they fix the problem (guess who pays for the parts).
Like I said its a complex car, and a person can spend hours checking things only to find a bad ground wire (a dealer would want to get paid for those hours) so go with a person who knows what he's doing.
If I've worried you I'm sorry. chances are its not a big problem (if it was then your vette would be running poorly and you'd know there was a problem).
a common cause for a service engine light during a long drive is the EGR system (not sure if this happens on the 1990 vettes but the sensor is a common cause on earlier ones).
RJ
the C4 vette is an impressive sport's car as I'm sure you know.
its also one complex puppy and should come with a very large manual :jester
I highly recommend buying one, chilton or equivalant is better than nothing, but a GM service manual (expensive) is better yet (both would be best).
the service engine light is saying that the computer has logged an abnormal input from one or more of the sensor's.
if your into "do it yourself" work then you'll need to find out what terminals to jump on the ALDL to get that light to flash out what code number's have been set (the terminal's can vary from year to year so make sure you get the right ones from a correct manual).
this only sounds confusing, once you learn what things are called (they use alot of names like ALDL, ECM ect ect) then its not too bad.
will it be expensive?
maybe.
even the cars computer won't tell you just what the problem is. it will give an area (like ignition or EGR system, ect ect) where the problem was detected.
the service manual will give you test's to perform to hopefully weed out the problem by eliminating each part in that system.
now if your depressed from reading all that and are ready to take it to a dealer for service. don't!!!
at least not until you have talked to some corvette owners in your area. You will want to find a shop that has a very good reputation for working on vettes.
most mechanics don't know enough about vettes so they just throw parts at it till they fix the problem (guess who pays for the parts).
Like I said its a complex car, and a person can spend hours checking things only to find a bad ground wire (a dealer would want to get paid for those hours) so go with a person who knows what he's doing.
If I've worried you I'm sorry. chances are its not a big problem (if it was then your vette would be running poorly and you'd know there was a problem).
a common cause for a service engine light during a long drive is the EGR system (not sure if this happens on the 1990 vettes but the sensor is a common cause on earlier ones).
RJ
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Re: engine needs service light (1990white)
Congratulations on your purchase. Go to this site http://www.c4vettes.com/ecm.htm and follow the instructions on pulling codes. Just need a paper clip, paper, pen & your ignition key. Once you have the codes, post them here. Believe me, these guys know their stuff and are more than willing to share their expertise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: engine needs service light (1990white)
Welcome. When you reply with the codes also include any driveability issues that occured at the same time. That should help with the diagnosis. BTW, HD (Harley Dollars) are not the same as CV (Corvette Dollars). Corvette Dollars are much more expensive. :lolg:
Let us know what you find.
[Modified by Steel Blue 91, 11:26 AM 2/5/2003]
Let us know what you find.
[Modified by Steel Blue 91, 11:26 AM 2/5/2003]
