What is this code???
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Jasper IN
What is this code???
Hey guys!! I'm a regular over on the C2 Forum (I have a '63 vert.). My dad recently got a '98 vert, so I've been lurking around the C5 Forum trying to learn as much as I can about them.
He keeps getting a code coming up on it, and I've cleared it out a few times, but it still keeps coming back. The LCD reads "SERVICE ENGINE SOON". When I run the codes, it's bringing up a "TCS code # 1286". Anyone out there have a service manual you could look this code up for me and see what's up??? I know the "TCS" means traction control, but I'm not sure what the problem would be. When you push the Traction Control button, the display reads "TRACTION CONTROL ON" of "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" like it should. I've also tried to disconnect the battery and start over, but the code came up again???
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!!!! Brian
He keeps getting a code coming up on it, and I've cleared it out a few times, but it still keeps coming back. The LCD reads "SERVICE ENGINE SOON". When I run the codes, it's bringing up a "TCS code # 1286". Anyone out there have a service manual you could look this code up for me and see what's up??? I know the "TCS" means traction control, but I'm not sure what the problem would be. When you push the Traction Control button, the display reads "TRACTION CONTROL ON" of "TRACTION CONTROL OFF" like it should. I've also tried to disconnect the battery and start over, but the code came up again???
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!!!! Brian
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Jasper IN
Re: What is this code??? (shftn6)
Sorry about that, there is a "C" in front of the code. I thought the "H" or the "C" stood for whether the code was "Current" or "History" type code. Learning everyday on this thing!!!! Thanks for the response, Brian
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From: Jasper IN
Re: What is this code??? (SILVER 97)
Okay!!! What the heck does that mean!!!! Sounds like a trip to the dealer is in the near future. The car has been wrecked, so that may have something to do with it. Hopefully, worst case scenario is to replace the sensor.
shftn6 & Silver, Thanks a lot guys!!! Brian
shftn6 & Silver, Thanks a lot guys!!! Brian
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Church Hill Tennessee
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: What is this code??? (Brian Matheis)
My son's 98 coupe had the same error code. His car has also been wrecked. I replaced the steering position sensor. The sensor is located at the base of the steering column and requires pulling the column to replace. The code hasn't come back. That was about 3,000 mi. ago. The cost of the sensor was about $145 wholesale at my local dealer. Pulling the steering column isn't really that difficult, but having a service manual sure did make it easier. If you decide to do it yourself be certain to disable the airbags before you attempt to pull the column.
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Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Jasper IN
Re: What is this code??? (GRTaylor)
Wow, thanks for the info GR!!! I'm not really too excited about pulling the steering column on that car!!! I totally disassembled the entire car for a paint job. Doors, all fenders, quarters, lids, interior, etc... Took me about 10 hrs. just to reassemble and align the parts!!! Kinda burned out on it.
Will this hurt anything if he keeps driving the car like that??? I'm hoping to at least put this off until winter. Thanks for all the help. Brian :D :D
Will this hurt anything if he keeps driving the car like that??? I'm hoping to at least put this off until winter. Thanks for all the help. Brian :D :D
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 143
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From: Church Hill Tennessee
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: What is this code??? (Brian Matheis)
My son drove his car over 1,000 miles with the code coming on and it didn't hurt it. It is annoying though, having to keep resetting it. By the way, if you do change the steering position sensor yourself, the service manual says to remove the airbag from the steering wheel. I think this is just a safety precaution in case the air bag deploys while you have the steering column sitting on the floor with the steering wheel against the floor. If you don't remove the airbag from the steering wheel, be sure not to place the steering wheel face down on the floor. Disable the airbags before you even attempt to remove the steering column by removing the SDM fuse (fuse # 16 ) from the IP fuse block located in the passenger foot well under the toeboard. Good luck. It took me about six hours to replace the sensor, but I spent more time looking at the service manual than I spent actually working replacing the sensor. :)
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