Check Engine Light
 

Drove into town to get newspaper, nine miles, and on the way back
home the "Check Engine Icon" came on. No messages on the DIC.

I have a CarMD diagnostic hand held computer. Should I go ahead and use this before calling dealership?

One big question for this dummy though, the car needs to be turned
to the start position but not started.........How do I do this with
the pushbutton start?

The tool works well with my other vehicles, all keyed of course.

Any helpful info please.

Thanks:bigears

Do you have onstar? I would just have them run a quick diagnostic if you do. :cheers:

Hit the little circle on the side of the start button. The one to turn the car off. This will get the option mode. Then scan it with your tool and and post the code so that we may try to help.

Check your gas cap.

:iagree: , a loose gas cap will bring on the check engine light, take it off and reinstall it and listen for it to click on.

As was stated first and foremost, check your gascap. Remove and reseat the gas cap. This is one of the most common CEL causes. Go ahead and use your scan tool and post the code back, we can at least let you know what the cause was.

To put the car in on mode, press the bottom of the rocker switch like you were putting it in to accessory mode but hold the rocker down for about 7 seconds, this will put the car into on mode with engine off.

Checked the gas cap.....No problem there.
Don't have Onstar....

Will do the what vidal1313 suggest too.
If I can get a code, the scan tool website will interpret
the code and give me the related problem. At least it has
on my other vehicles.

The OM suggest the light usually comes on as
a result of a faulty omission, probably sensor.

Will go and do as vidal1313 suggested.
Thanks for your input and feedback.

Will get back to ya.:yesnod:

Thanks talon90, didn't see your post. Will do.

:iagree: Mode is ignition on, engine off.

Hope it works with can bus...

Well......the ports won't marry.
The scan's pin port will not marry up with the din under the dash.

It connects to my other Non-GM vehicles.

Guess it's a trip to the dealer Wednesday.
According to the OM, I can drive it as long as it doesn't go into
"Flashing Mode" I think it referenced. Of course it won't be going
out until trip to dealer.

Thanks everyone for your input and help.

At least I have learned how to put it into "Run Mode" w/out
starting it.

Everyone of you have a Very Merry Christmas and the Best to You and
Yours for the New Year.

Terry in Tennessee

That's a bummer Terry. Merry Christmas to you. Good luck with the diagnostics and do post back what you find out.

Paul :cheers:

Run to an autozone of jiffylube. They will scan it for free. You can buy an Innova OBD reader @ walmart for about $60.00. Good luck.

Do you have a CAGS eliminator? Mine lasted about a year before the resister burned out causing a CEL with no codes thrown.

The ODBII ports should all be the same. What year are your other cars that it does fit into?

No CAGS.

Fits my 1996, 1998, and 2005.
The scan tool manual states it will fit all models 1996 to present.

I'll check again tomorrow, although nothing I can do if I were able to
retrieve code. Still under warranty anyways.

I'll just wait until Wednesday and call the shop for an appointment.
I imagine it might be an o2 sensor.

I will update when I get it fixed.

Thanks for your input.:thumbs:

Ya, somethings wrong with that picture, it should fit.

Did you try rotating the plug 180 degrees? Getting the plug aligned at the proper angle (near vertical)?

CEL is a problem? Mine's been on for 3 months or more. OnStar has sent me my usual email reports saying everything is OK. I just always figured it is on because I've had a tune. In fact, my tuner checked it out and said don't worry about it ;)

a CEL can also be casued by a tank of gas too rich in ethanol...
Too much ethanol can cause the engine to run lean..Happened to me twice on BP/Amoco Ultimate gas...
No BP gas, No CEL....