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[Z06] "Check Engine" light, Help!

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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 01:34 PM
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Default "Check Engine" light, Help!

My "check engine" light came on a month or so ago. I made an appointemet at my local dealer and by the time I got it over there, the light had gone out. I assumed it must have been a gas cap problem??? Well, yesterday, it came on again and I have not added gas since the last problem. I plan to call the dealership, but wondered if any of you have had a similar situation. Thanks.
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 02:02 PM
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Brian Laser S4
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pull codes?
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 04:05 PM
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You need to pull codes, but if it comes and goes there is a good chance its a leaning mixture, just on the border of minimum lean.

If you have a non stock air filter it could be that or an air leak in the intake.
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 04:41 PM
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Not sure what "pulling codes" is???
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 04:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Billco
Not sure what "pulling codes" is???
See post # 31 in the FAQ sticky, it has instructions and what the codes mean.
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 05:32 PM
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Mine did exactly this, so I pulled the code. It said it was runnning too lean?
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 06:22 PM
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Post # 31 in the FAQ sticky does not cover moving back and forth within each module to see multiple codes in the module (if they exist).
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by rbartick
Post # 31 in the FAQ sticky does not cover moving back and forth within each module to see multiple codes in the module (if they exist).
Can you explain how to do this, or find it, and I will add it.
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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Codes show - PO171 H, and PO174 H. Lean left bank and lean right bank. Does the H mean the problem is in the past. If so, why would it come and go?
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Old Oct 9, 2005 | 08:08 PM
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The H at the end means it's history. In other words, it was a problem now it's not. I had the same thing happening to my 02 Z, and mine turned out I had a bad #7 fuel injector. Get it into the shop and they can check it out for you.
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by MAJ Z06
Can you explain how to do this, or find it, and I will add it.
Once the IPC has displayed all 11 modules the system goes into the manual mode. This allows selection of each module using combinations of DIC buttons. The manual mode can also be entered at any time during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except E/M.

Once the IPC displays "manual diagnostics" you may select a particular module by pressing the options button to go forward or the trip button to go back. You may find more than one code on a module. To scroll through multiple codes in a module press gages to move forward or fuel to go back within the module. If you want to erase a code press reset.

To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M.
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 09:57 AM
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Thank you!
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Billco
Codes show - PO171 H, and PO174 H. Lean left bank and lean right bank. Does the H mean the problem is in the past. If so, why would it come and go?

These are also the codes that will be displayed if you have put most of the aftermarket intakes such as the Halltech, Vararam, Donaldson Blackwing, etc. The PCM isn't able to adjust for the increased volume of air coming through the intake and reads it as a lean condition, which it is technically speaking. Just thought I would toss it out there in case you had put a new intake on.

There are other issues that can cause these codes to pop up of course, but just wanted to mention this one since it is a common issue and easily resolved.
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 07:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Scott04Z
The PCM isn't able to adjust for the increased volume of air coming through the intake and reads it as a lean condition, which it is technically speaking.
FYI – It is not an increased volume of air that causes that code. The code is caused by inaccurate MAF readings due to turbulence. An aftermarket airbox on a stock Z06 is not really flowing a significant amount of additional air over the stock box during closed loop operation. Closed loop operation is where you are getting the DTC.
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Scott04Z
These are also the codes that will be displayed if you have put most of the aftermarket intakes such as the Halltech, Vararam, Donaldson Blackwing, etc. The PCM isn't able to adjust for the increased volume of air coming through the intake and reads it as a lean condition, which it is technically speaking. Just thought I would toss it out there in case you had put a new intake on.

There are other issues that can cause these codes to pop up of course, but just wanted to mention this one since it is a common issue and easily resolved.
I did have an aftermarket intake installed about a year ago. The first time the "check engine" light came on of about a month ago. I don't drive it much (about 100 miles/month) but wouldn't the light have come on sooner, if it was caused by new intake?
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 11:34 PM
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I had the same issue a few months ago after installing a Vavaram Intake System and letting it rip on the highway. According to the owners manual, it can be due to a change in the gas consumption or a better word for it, poor gas mileage. The light went away after a day or so once I began to get higher miles per gallon.
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Old Oct 10, 2005 | 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Billco
I did have an aftermarket intake installed about a year ago. The first time the "check engine" light came on of about a month ago. I don't drive it much (about 100 miles/month) but wouldn't the light have come on sooner, if it was caused by new intake?
A good road trip will relearn the mods you have made to the stock unit. I would suggest the last lemans series race for thr C6R in monterey this saturday, A good road trip is why we own these awesome toys!!!
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Old Oct 11, 2005 | 12:55 AM
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Originally Posted by l2vette
A good road trip will relearn the mods you have made to the stock unit. I would suggest the last lemans series race for thr C6R in monterey this saturday, A good road trip is why we own these awesome toys!!!
Thanks for all the input. Perhaps a trip to Monterey is in order.
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Old Oct 11, 2005 | 09:03 AM
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Just a heads up..Check the spark plug wires are on tight...

Always worth checking when check engine light comes on..
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Old Oct 11, 2005 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Billco
I did have an aftermarket intake installed about a year ago. The first time the "check engine" light came on of about a month ago. I don't drive it much (about 100 miles/month) but wouldn't the light have come on sooner, if it was caused by new intake?

It depends on how you drove the car. It is possible that it wouldn't throw the code if you were babying it. It happens when the PCM goes into the closed loop program as rbartick mentioned previously.
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