Check Engine Light
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Check Engine Light
HEY GUYS, I WAS OUT ON WOODWARD LAST NIGHT AND RUN MY 07 PRETTY HARD... WE HAD A BLAST!! WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THIS MORNING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO THE RIDE...ANY IDEAS? THE CAR ONLY HAS 1,800 MI ON IT, BUT IT HAS LG LONG TUBES SO I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT IN. ARE CHEVY DEALERS PRETTY COOL ABOUT MODS? I HAD AN 03 COBRA MODDED UP AND THE FORD DEALER DIDN'T CARE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 190
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From: Sugar Land Tx
You need to know what caused the check engine light to come on. You find this out by reading the DTC code from the on board computer. You need a DTC reader to do this. You should be able to buy one for around $80, or even better if you go by an AutoZone they will usually read the code for free.
And or... check the gas cap. One of the most common reasons for the light to come on is it fails an Evaporative Emmissions leak test. This test is run under certain conditions after the car is turned off. If the gas cap is loose it will fail. Keep in mind, if it is loose and you put it on tight, the light will not go off until the car runs the test again and it passes. It has to be under certain conditions so it could take awhile. Conditions include the car has to have been running for more than 10 minutes, traveled more than 3 miles, gas level between 15% and 85% full, outside tempeature between 36 and 89 Deg F.
And or... check the gas cap. One of the most common reasons for the light to come on is it fails an Evaporative Emmissions leak test. This test is run under certain conditions after the car is turned off. If the gas cap is loose it will fail. Keep in mind, if it is loose and you put it on tight, the light will not go off until the car runs the test again and it passes. It has to be under certain conditions so it could take awhile. Conditions include the car has to have been running for more than 10 minutes, traveled more than 3 miles, gas level between 15% and 85% full, outside tempeature between 36 and 89 Deg F.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
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From: Orange County CA
On my C5 I kept having intermitent check engine ligh issues after I installed my Long Tube headers (mine were not LG)....I think it is one of the unfortunate side effects of LT headers. I am sure someone has figured out how to fix....but, it was always a challenge for me...expecially in hot weather.
Charley
Charley
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From: Jacksonville Florida BWO Dayton, Cincinnati, Bloomsbury NJ, Cincinnati
2015 C7 of the Year Finalist
Both of the above suggestions are good.
I would suggest that you locate the Caps Lock key and turn it off. All CAPS on a forum indicates that the person is "YELLING".
Welcome to the board!
Elmer
I would suggest that you locate the Caps Lock key and turn it off. All CAPS on a forum indicates that the person is "YELLING".
Welcome to the board!
Elmer
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From: DFW Area TX
If you buy an OBDII tool, make sure it is CAN capable. You can find them on ebay. For under $100 you can get one that actually displays the the description of the problem code as opposed to just the code (which you would then have to look-up) and can display live data. For around $60 you can get a tool that lacks the code descriptions and live data feature. Both tools will also allow you to clear the codes and turn-off the "Check Engine" light.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 37
From: Orange County CA
If you buy an OBDII tool, make sure it is CAN capable. You can find them on ebay. For under $100 you can get one that actually displays the the description of the problem code as opposed to just the code (which you would then have to look-up) and can display live data. For around $60 you can get a tool that lacks the code descriptions and live data feature. Both tools will also allow you to clear the codes and turn-off the "Check Engine" light.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: San Clemente CA
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Kingwood Texas
ARE CHEVY DEALERS PRETTY COOL ABOUT MODS?
Some dealers may be; mine refused to pursue the cause of the "check engine light soon" immediately after they saw I had headers. The vehicle was still under factory warranty.
Some dealers may be; mine refused to pursue the cause of the "check engine light soon" immediately after they saw I had headers. The vehicle was still under factory warranty.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
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Hey guys, just wanted to thank everyone for their input... went out to the Dream Cruise again and the light shut off. I think it was the gas cap issue because after i filled up the light went out. Thanks again for the help everyone! My C6 ran amazing the last few cool nights! Only beat once, badly, by a moded Grand National...
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
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From: Tucson Arizona
From my experience and from what others tell me, most all dealerships aggressively deny warranty service for anything even remotely related to a performance modification. There may be exceptions so you might want to call your dealership before going in.
Put a code reader on your car to see if you're throwing any codes. If you don't have one I was told most AutoZone stores will do this for you free of charge.
I tend to think a gas cap issue would generate a 'check gas cap' warning rather than a CEL. Good luck.
Put a code reader on your car to see if you're throwing any codes. If you don't have one I was told most AutoZone stores will do this for you free of charge.
I tend to think a gas cap issue would generate a 'check gas cap' warning rather than a CEL. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,515
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From: Goleta California
My bet is it will be P0430 or P0420 catalytic efficiency below threshold. It is pretty common with headers. You can have the rear sensors shut off or a tuner can most likely remedy this condition. I bet it occurs shortly after you have been running the car a little hard? Most likely the cats can't handle the extra fuel you are passing through the exhaust when you are driving it hard. Anyway get a scanner and read the code, reset it and go see a tuner.