C6 Corvette General Discussion General C6 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Feral Industries

Engine Light On

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 04:09 PM
  #1  
superfast's Avatar
superfast
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
Default Engine Light On

My 08 Z51's engine light recently came on while I was driving. I pulled over, turned it off, waited for a few minutes then re-started the car but the light stayed on. The light went away after I turned off the car and let it sat for a few hours. The dealer ran a test (logged in 23 miles. Yikes!!! Yes, this is the topic of my next thread) and told me the car is fine. It was just an erroneous error then cleared the error code. Has anyone ever experienced this condition on your vettes? Please let me know. Thank you.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 05:58 PM
  #2  
cclive's Avatar
cclive
Team Owner
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Default

At this point, the problem could be anything...my only thing to add would be that it probably will come back. It did when you turned off the car and it did when they turned off the car. I would get a very inexpensive code reader and wait for it to happen again and read the code for yourself right when the light goes on. I got this one on Amazon from a suggestion here on the forum...for $20, you can't beat it:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LHVOVK
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 06:49 PM
  #3  
superfast's Avatar
superfast
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
Default

Thanks cclive.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 06:56 PM
  #4  
EVRose's Avatar
EVRose
Race Director
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 14,475
Likes: 785
From: Las Vegas NV
Default

I've never experienced it but from reading here for a year it's usually a gas cap seal failure that causes the light to come on.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 07:15 PM
  #5  
superfast's Avatar
superfast
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
Default

I've heard about that too. Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 07:50 PM
  #6  
L82Brake's Avatar
L82Brake
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 787
Likes: 127
From: Connecticut
Default

Next time the CE light goes on go to Autozone and ask them to pull the code for you. Its a free service in an effort to get you to buy the pesky sensor from them.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 08:06 PM
  #7  
KenHorse's Avatar
KenHorse
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Default

The SEL goes out in a few ignition cycles if the problem that caused it in the first place doesn't reoccur.

(and yes, the gas cap not sealing properly is a very common reason for it)
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 08:53 PM
  #8  
laconiajack's Avatar
laconiajack
Safety Car
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,681
Likes: 2
From: Mooresville (Race City USA) NC
Default

By the way, the Z51 was a suspension option, not a model designation; and has nothing whatsover to do with the engine, or the problem you are having. So the fact that your car has this particuliar option is no more important to solving your problem than telling us the color of your car, or if it is equipped with chrome wheels.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 09:37 PM
  #9  
VETTAMOUS's Avatar
VETTAMOUS
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,792
Likes: 2
From: Millington Tennesse
St. Jude Donor '11-'12, '14
Default

How many miles on your car. Mine came on and pulled a lean code on bank one and two. I would clear it and it would stay cleared for a day or two then come back. I cleaned the mass air flow sensor with q tip and mass air cleaner and it has not been back on in months. Couldn't see the dirt on it, but easy to see the dirt I removed on the q-tip. Good luck.
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 10:07 PM
  #10  
St.Char's Avatar
St.Char
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 397
From: Indianapolis IN
Default

Originally Posted by EVRose
I've never experienced it but from reading here for a year it's usually a gas cap seal failure that causes the light to come on.
I get a message in the DIC that says, "check gas cap"
Reply
Old Oct 21, 2011 | 10:51 PM
  #11  
keyplyr's Avatar
keyplyr
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,610
Likes: 12
Default

Some of these messages on the DIC are *soft* codes and can be removed safely with a code reader. Even the cheapest code reader should work fine for removing soft codes.

The one I use is the Actron CP9550 Pocket Scan Plus OBD II and CAN Code Reader. It has most code definitions right on the screen.

However, it may be a genuine issue that needs attention, so best to consult your local speed shop for verification.


Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 07:11 AM
  #12  
Richard Roys's Avatar
Richard Roys
Advanced
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Default

Mine came on when I installed a skip shift fuse removed the fuse and reinstalled set up like it was before I put the skip shift fuse. All was good except have a skip shift fuse in a plastic bag in the glove compartment. Just had the check engine light come on in my S600 Mercedes Benz and had a service job done this past week and was told that it was some bad gas that I had put in. BTW I always use premium gas & add a octane booster every once in a while. On everything except a Supra Turbo because Toyota told don't ,I did not ask why!
Reply
Old Oct 22, 2011 | 04:45 PM
  #13  
PRETTYBOYMFM's Avatar
PRETTYBOYMFM
Instructor
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
From: westminster Maryland
Default

could be one of your Catalytic converters going up . had the same thing happen and it was the Catalytic converter
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 12:30 AM
  #14  
superfast's Avatar
superfast
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
Default

Thanks everyone for your inputs.

VETTEAMOUS- Mine has less than 15K miles. If the light comes on again, I'll clean the mass air flow sensor & passage. Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 23, 2011 | 08:54 AM
  #15  
FortMorganAl's Avatar
FortMorganAl
Le Mans Master
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 8,514
Likes: 235
From: Currently somewhere in IL,IN,KY,TN,MO,AR,MS,AL, or FL
Default

Originally Posted by laconiajack
By the way, the Z51 was a suspension option, not a model designation; and has nothing whatsover to do with the engine, or the problem you are having. So the fact that your car has this particuliar option is no more important to solving your problem than telling us the color of your car, or if it is equipped with chrome wheels.
Unless the problem is in the oiling system associated with the oil cooler that Z51's have and other's don't. Or a problem in the braking system which is different. Or even a steering problem caused but the extra cooler. Maybe a transmission problem caused by, you guessed it, another cooler. Yes, Z51 is just an option but to say it can't be related to the issue is like saying it wouldn't matter whether it was an LS2 or and LS3 because both are just engines.

The Z51 envy is becoming palpable again.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 01:33 PM
  #16  
superfast's Avatar
superfast
Thread Starter
Instructor
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 211
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
Default

Prettyboymfm- When I brought it in, I told them I thought it could be the oxygen sensor and/or the cat converter as I did smell the rotten egg odor every now & then, especially when I'm driving it hard but they told me it wasn't it. It has been 2 weeks since they cleared the code and my car is fine now. Hopefully, it was just an erroneous code as they'd said. Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 03:00 PM
  #17  
CO Lightfoot's Avatar
CO Lightfoot
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Default

Originally Posted by laconiajack
By the way, the Z51 was a suspension option, not a model designation; and has nothing whatsover to do with the engine...
"08 Z51" must have the LS3 engine. Can't be a Z06/LS7.

So even though Z51 was a suspension option, it tells us which engine the OP has.

Anyway, it's a moot point, because I don't think it helps resolve the CEL issue.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Engine Light On

Old Oct 24, 2011 | 03:09 PM
  #18  
CO Lightfoot's Avatar
CO Lightfoot
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,024
Likes: 13
From: Loveland CO to Central Coast CA
Default

Originally Posted by superfast
...It has been 2 weeks since they cleared the code and my car is fine now. Hopefully, it was just an erroneous code as they'd said. Thanks.
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 03:22 PM
  #19  
KenHorse's Avatar
KenHorse
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Default

Originally Posted by CO Lightfoot
"08 Z51" must have the LS3 engine. Can't be a Z06/LS7.

So even though Z51 was a suspension option, it tells us which engine the OP has.
.
" '08 coupe" would have said the same thing
Reply
Old Oct 24, 2011 | 03:41 PM
  #20  
Chevy Cust Svc's Avatar
Chevy Cust Svc
Race Director
15 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 16,007
Likes: 827
Default engine light

superfast,
Let us know if the engine light comes on again (and what you find out). Hopefully, it was just a loose engine cap.

Chevrolet Customer Service,
Justin



Originally Posted by superfast
Prettyboymfm- When I brought it in, I told them I thought it could be the oxygen sensor and/or the cat converter as I did smell the rotten egg odor every now & then, especially when I'm driving it hard but they told me it wasn't it. It has been 2 weeks since they cleared the code and my car is fine now. Hopefully, it was just an erroneous code as they'd said. Thanks.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:07 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE