1) i have a 2002 c5 with approx. 86000 miles. on my way to smog shop the check engine light came on. instintly i turned around and went home and hooked my code reader up. i recieved three codes, ( b1214 ) solenoid valve or contact circuit open... (b1288 ) steering sensor malfunction... ( p0430 ) catalyst system efficcency below threshold bank 2. can anybody body tell me which one is triggering the check engine and what im looking for.

2)also now and then the service traction control bells go off and fashes to service it on the dash.

3)also on a side note.. i had a spark plug shoot out of the number two cylinder a few months back and i repaired it with a helicoiled, ive noticed the spark plug still wiggles around in the hole. has anybody else had this problem? and why on earth would it just shoot out of the cylinder.

please help im pulling my hair out here ..

 

Well,, the very FIRST thing that you need to do is have that head professionally repaired. That cylinder can NOT be firing correctly if the plug is not tight.

That should be the first thing on your list.

Next,,, Why are you using a Code reader You dont need NO STINKING CODE READER.

Try this and see what DTCs you have:

READING YOUR Engine Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC)

This procedure should be carried out any time you experience a problem with your C5. Most inexpensive store bought aftermarket code readers will ONLY read power train DTC’s. Reading the DTC’s with the C5 built in code reader will allow you to read ALL the modules in the vehicle.

The Diagnostic Display Mode is entered with the following procedure:
1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine.
2) Press the RESET button to turn off any warning messages. (i.e. door open, trunk open ect)
3) Press and hold the OPTIONS button
4) While holding OPTIONS, press FUEL button four times within a 10 -second period.

Initially, the on-board diagnostics go into an Automatic Mode which will cycle through each module and shows diagnostic codes in a pre-set sequence: PCM - TCS - RTD - BCM - IPC - RADIO - HVAC - LDCM - RDCM - SCM - RFA. All codes will be displayed for each module. ( i.e. PCM = 4 codes) If none are present in a given module, you will see No More Codes on the display.

There are two types of diagnostic codes, Current and History designated with a letter suffix, “C” or “H”. A current code indicates a malfunction is present in the module displaying data. A history code indicates a problem existed sometime in the last 40 or 50 ignition cycles. When not accompanied by a current code of the same number, it's potential evidence of a previous problem, now resolved, that was not removed by clearing the codes. More likely it's an indication of an intermittent malfunction.

Intermittent codes are the most challenging of the diagnostics. An intermittent code may have happened once, may have happened more than once but is inconsistent or may be happening on a regular basis but not at the time the codes are displayed. History codes can also be caused by a current malfunction in a system that is not operating at the time codes are displayed. An example is the rear window defogger which doesn't operate until the Body Control Module detects engine rpm. For history codes set by a module that does not operate with the key on and engine off, a special diagnostic tool called a Scan Tester is necessary to properly diagnose the malfunction.

Once the system has displayed all modules, it goes into the manual mode which allows selection of each module using combinations of Driver Information Center buttons. Manual mode can also be entered during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except E/M. Once the display shows Manual Diagnostics, select a module by pressing the OPTIONS button to go forward or the TRIP button to go back. Once a module is selected, a code is displayed, and if more than one are present; press GAGES to go forward or FUEL to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M. If you want to erase codes in a given module, press RESET To reset the codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until it displays NO CODES Press OPTIONS to go to the next module. Repeat the steps until you have reset the codes in all the computer modules.
NOTE!! Only reset the codes IF you want to - it is NOT necessary to do this. Clearing a code does not repair a problem. You are simply erasing the evidence of it in the module's memory. If you clear the code/s, and extinguish the Check Engine Light, your emissions status ready will NOT allow you to pass an emissions test until you have completed the required driving cycles. There are a few body module DTC’s that if set will prevent the module from operating properly. Once the DTC is cleared, the module will return to full function. This is not true for power train DTCs.

If you have never read and cleared your codes, there will probably be a lot of old history DTCs. It is recommended that you clear your codes and see if any come back during a driving cycle. Those are the ones that you need to concentrate on diagnosing.

Once you have the codes, the next question is: What to do with the information?
First, consult the factory service manual. Any serious C5 Do-It-Yourself owner should invest in the Corvette Service Manual of the appropriate model year. The Service Manual is really a requirement if you want to understand and work on your C5.

NOTE and a WARNING. You can read the DTCs while the engine is running. I pull mine up all the time while driving.
WARNING. Don’t become distracted while reading DTCs while your driving and cause an accident!!!!! Use common sense and drive safe.

These are some very good C5 Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) explanation web sites!!! They also explain how to read the DTCs

Here are some very good sites that explain what DTC mean:

http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic11755.php

http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php

Make sure to include the H or C suffix when you post your DTCs!!

 

thanks bill.. i have a actron auto scanner cp9580 that i used to bring up the faults. also the car runs great, no misfire, idles perfect, cruises down the highway with same mpg as ive always got. the whole problem with the head is strange to me as to why it would do that. i appreciate your help and the links.

 

Use the built in Code reader, read the DTCs, If you have TONs of codes,, CLEAR THEM. See what comes back and post the codes and indications.

BC

 

ok.. I did what you suggested per instructions and it worked perfect.. i had no idea you could do that, again thank you. also i was able to clear all the codes and extenguish the check engine light. i videoed the codes with my iphone so i could write them down and look them up before clearing. approx how long is a "driving cycle"?

 

Glad to help!!

 

Just the time period between ignition on and ignition off.

Jack

 

Actually,, its fully warmed up to fully cooled down. Other wise, you could turn the ignition ON and OFF a bunch of times and make the emissions happy.. The EPA thought of that and made a drive cycle difficult to achieve.

BC