The very evening I bought my '00 Vette last Thursday, the "Check Engine" light came on. Took it back to the dealer on Saturday, who said I needed (2) O2 sensors and an air pump (what's an air pump?), and it would only cost $795 to fix it. I went ballistic (this had happened after I had only driven less than 10 miles), and the used car manager said he would take care of it. They all agreed to do whatever it needed for free, but the story doesn't end there. As part of the "solution", they determined that the Lingenfelter headers are the culprits and must be amputated and stock headers put back on. :nono: This is not cool, no matter who pays for it.

I got ahold of the previous owner, who had recently had 21st Century Muscle Cars (Carrollton, TX) install Lingenfelter heads, cam, lifters, headers, new TB, etc., hooked to a Corsa touring exhaust. Naturally, I want to keep all these goodies. He convinced me that the Chevy guys aren't experienced enough with performance stuff, and that the motor computer probably senses a mis-fire or something. I have the dealer on hold until I can take it in to 21st Century today and check it out. I'll let you know the results, but wanted to know if anyone has had this sort of problem, and what you did about it.

 

Performance mods, no matter how carefully designed, engineered and installed can cause problems with other systems in our highly emmision controlled cars. For the most part unless there is a fault with the after market components installed on your car I can't see how they would be at fault. The dealer probably just doesn't want or can't take the time to trouble shoot this. So their first reaction is to say "remove everything". I'd bet the codes still show after going OEM.

But when it's happening to you and your car I can understand your concern. You have a boat load of cash invested and now you need to spend more.

Good luck and please let us know the out come as most C5's are modded to some degree.

Tom

 

Find out what the specific codes are because they could be false readings due to the mods. If the Vette is running good, then more than likely you don't have a problem. Since you have spoken to the previous owner do you know why the Vette was sold in the first place?

Do you know how to bring up the codes on your DIC? Hold down the Options pad while pressing the Fuel pad four times, consecutively. IM me if you need further details. I just learned this technique recently. However, 21st Century should know how to do this, as well.

Good luck!


[Modified by Cary, 6:06 AM 8/19/2003]

 

You may want to clear the codes after writing them down, for future reference in case they are needed. I had the "Check Engine" light come on after doing intake mod and once cleared ,it hasnt come back. Goodluck with the codes

 

Yeah, just read the code, erase it, and move on!

 

Beemerphile,

First mistake - taking it ot a dealer. Of course they will blame headers as the culprit, and sell you stock units, making their monthly quotas.

As stated above, first clear the codes : with the car off, turn the key to the on position but not starting - then, push and hold the OPTIONS button and at the same time push the FUEL button 5 times.

This will bring up the DIC information, and allow you to ask it for determination of code active and history.

After writting down any codes, go to this link for definition of what they mean:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=26&TopicID=1

As a note, if the codes are P0410's (AIR) then check the connection of the air hoses (AIR 'pump' is located under the drivers side fender, up front of the wheel area, to insuire that these hoses are connected 'correctly', and that no obstruction to the 'intake' side is occurring.

Next, make sure that the hoses behind the intake (by the windsheild) for this unit are not leaking or disconnected.

Lastly. it may be that the 'modules' (air flow valves) that are connected to each header (these at the black round units feeding the headers) may need replacement (a minimal cost of about $100 as a DIY activity).

If the codes indicate "02' - determine if you have sensors or simulators, they may need replacement.

Last, and MOST important. look at the spark plug wires. On my original B&B headers the 3rd wire on the drivers side was 'arching' to the headers. Once I placed this wire in a 'safe' mode (reroute and protection from heat and arching) the issue was resolved.

:cheers:


[Modified by AC54ME, 7:57 PM 8/19/2003]


[Modified by AC54ME, 8:00 PM 8/19/2003]

 

Hmmm. Interesting. I installed a set of SLP headers and never had a code or check engine light come up for about 5,000 miles. Now I have a constant check engine light and am fouling my O2 sensors. Dealer says I'm running very rich and that is sooting up the O2 sensors and causing the check engine light to come on. I've changed and cleaned my O2 sensors 3 times now. I get about 50 miles before the check engine light comes back on.

Any ideas? Also, how do you clear the check engine light off the display?

Thanks

 

I just finished a complete H/C and just about every other mod I could think of and never set a code. I never even set codes when I had my cats off! Guess i'm lucky... :D

 

:iagree:

The only time I threw a code was when I broke a wire going to my throttle body (a little solder fixed that) and when I was running to rich and fouled out a plug. :cheers:

 

"First mistake - taking it ot a dealer. Of course they will blame headers as the culprit, and sell you stock units, making their monthly quotas."

It might not have been clear in my initial post, but you see, I had just bought it there. Being a neophite to Vettes, I didn't even know all the mods that were on the car, much less what they do to things. I've learned a lot in a week, and thanks to all of you for the help.

Actually, the used car manager at Reliable Chevrolet in Richardson, Louis Claasses, was VERY supportive and helpful. Because I had no sooner gotten home with the car than the lights came on, he is picking up the tab for the repairs - something that from a "legal" standpoint he could refuse, but from a savy customer-satisfaction point he was right in doing.

Anyway, I tool the C5 to 21st Century Muscle Cars, and he found a hose loose. He re-attached, reset the codes, and told me to dirve for a few days, see what happens. Well, the light came back on that afternoon. Talked to 21st angain and agreed that first step was to replace the seemingly-faulty sensors, especially since that's free, then have 21st check it out again. Since the mods were done just recently, and only a few hundred miles ago (35K on the odo), it could be that the sensoprs weren't in that great a shape anyway, and the mods didn't help any.

So, Reliable has agreed to replace the sensors, but only once, and to leave the headers and all intact. I feel that is a good gesture on their part. This will happen next week, and all update again when I know more.

Thanks agaon for all the help and advice. It looks like these things are a lot like our beloved BMW motorcycles, they do things that look scarey, but once you know the work-arounds, you can deal with it.

Ride safe.

 

You need to go to an experienced Corvette Engine Shop that has a dyno and tuning software. I had the same check engine problem after head/cam pkg and the shop said the computer was getting a false fault from air injector.O2 sensor and they disabled the check engine for that code only. Car has ran fine the year and a half since and no check engines.
Fred K.

 

Screw the dealer, in most cases they are only trained in stock issues. I have schooled many tech when these car became popular in 99. I suggested they read the forum and they learned more more than they could have form a dealers school. :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

It is much cheaper to check the codes and replace the sensors yourself, no big deal and go fron there, save tons of money.


[Modified by wallstAL, 2:25 AM 8/23/2003]