Check Engine Light Is On

A few days ago, my "Service Engine Soon" Light came on. I continued driving, went somewhere, shut the car off, then turned it back on, and the light was on. About an hour later, I turned the car off, let it sit for 2 hrs., started it up again, and the light didn't come on.

Today everything was fine, but about 10 min. into my drive it came on again. After letting the car sit for almost 8 hrs., it still came on for my drive home.

Is there something wrong with my engine, or is this just a diagnostic error? I take good care of this car and I hope it's nothing major.

Try resetting your ECM(Computer).

Heres how you do it:
*from InstallUniversity.com (http://www.installuniversity.com) *


1. Turn key to the "on" position but don't start car
2. Pull the PCM BAT and PCM IGN fuses in engine compartment
3. Wait approximately 5 minutes
4. Turn ignition off
5. Replace fuses
6. Start the car and then make sure the light has gone off

If this light still continues to come on, get the SES code, that will enable us to analyze your problem. Hope this helps!

Originally posted by SpecForceZ28
5. Replace fuses

If this light still continues to come on, get the SES code, that will enable us to analyze your problem. Hope this helps!

So after I've done all that I have to buy new fuses?

What's an SES code?

Thanks for the help so far!

Nope you dont have to buy new fuses. You just put the ones you took out, back in.

You get an SES code from Autozone or a similar auto store.

yes goi to autozone and get your ses code for free...tht way we know whats goin on and we will most likely be able to help out...good luck

I just got back from AutoZone, where the guy did an SES test for me.

Here's what it said:

P0172
System too rich bank 1

P0175
System too rich bank 2

The guy said it could be a bad air and fuel mixture, but didn't really elaborate any further. I use premium gasoline, have Fram air and oil filters, and have 5.5 quarts of Quaker State 5W-30 in the engine.

I don't know what it could be.:confused:

Originally posted by SFB767
I just got back from AutoZone, where the guy did an SES test for me.

Here's what it said:

P0172
System too rich bank 1

P0175
System too rich bank 2

The guy said it could be a bad air and fuel mixture, but didn't really elaborate any further. I use premium gasoline, have Fram air and oil filters, and have 5.5 quarts of Quaker State 5W-30 in the engine.

I don't know what it could be.:confused:

Sounds like to me you need a few mods on your car :D I would reset the PCM. That might help out. Otherwise, you could get a 4/5 # Blower and just run on your car and have a little fun. That would help lean it out ;)

get an ls6 maf...that will lean it out
your in luck...i think i might be selling mine...

email me if interested
stik6shift98@team.camaroz28.com

or aim or pm


thanks

Originally posted by DarkblueTA
Sounds like to me you need a few mods on your car :D I would reset the PCM. That might help out. Otherwise, you could get a 4/5 # Blower and just run on your car and have a little fun. That would help lean it out ;)

Another successful diagnosis, and I like your prescription!:D

What's the PCM and how do you reset it? After the guy removed the diagnostic thing from my car he told me the SES light would stay off for a while, and it hasn't come on all day today.

Originally posted by stik6shift98
get an ls6 maf...that will lean it out
your in luck...i think i might be selling mine...

email me if interested
stik6shift98@team.camaroz28.com

or aim or pm


thanks

What's an LS6 manifold and what does it do? That comes from the Z06's engine, right?

I've been holding off on mods because I'm getting 23 MPG. Would mods improve or lessen my gas mileage?

I'll think about that manifold. The problem is, is I'm in Orlando, but, I've got a friend in Clearwater (I saw your post in the FL forum), so maybe if I'm interested I'll have him pick it up from you when you're down there.

Originally posted by SFB767
Another successful diagnosis, and I like your prescription!:D

What's the PCM and how do you reset it? After the guy removed the diagnostic thing from my car he told me the SES light would stay off for a while, and it hasn't come on all day today.

PCM instructions are up top, in my first post of the text.

But I don't know how to fix too rich/too lean

Maybe LS1 edit could? But thats $300, a little too much dollars.

It might be your front o2 simms. I forgot what the codes are, but I believe the codes you mentioned are the o2 simm codes. :confused:

Somebody on here said some 98s and 99s have faulty cats that go bad. The dealer would have to replace them for free because I believe they have an 80k mile or so guarentee.:)

Originally posted by TransAmLS1
Somebody on here said some 98s and 99s have faulty cats that go bad. The dealer would have to replace them for free because I believe they have an 80k mile or so guarentee.:)

Do you think that's what's causing my car to run too rich (according to the diagnostic check the guys did)? If it is the cat. converter, how do I prove it to the dealership to get a new one installed for free?

It could be.....Them being messed up would make the sensors tell the computer to change something and could possibly make it run rich.

My SES light came on yesterday, hasn't happened before. On my previous car, a 82 Z28, I could get the codes with special tools, just by seeing how many times it flashed. This won't work for a 97 Z28, right? What do I do? Do I have to buy such a tool. I live in Denmark and noone would stock it, so any internet stores where I can get it?

Any advice wil be appreciated.:confused:

Originally posted by TransAmLS1
Somebody on here said some 98s and 99s have faulty cats that go bad. The dealer would have to replace them for free because I believe they have an 80k mile or so guarentee.:)

Thats right. any component in the emissions system is covered for 8 years or 80 thousand miles under federal law.

Your car is running rich on the passenger side, your 02's are showing things running rich on that side alone.

Go to the dealer if its under warranty, if not it still may be covered on the emission warranty.

Great Dane,

You need a scan tool to get the codes from the newer cars, sorry.

The SES light is off again, after a night in the garage. Hope I never see it again. Thanks :D

Originally posted by z28chrizz
Thats right. any component in the emissions system is covered for 8 years or 80 thousand miles under federal law.

Is that in all states? cause my dealership basically told me that they have never heard of that before and to go f*ck my self. They said it was gunna be 400 bones to get my Air pump replaced and that they have never heard of that law. Does that law apply to only original owners of the vehicle? Cause i believe i am the 3rd and hopefully the last owner of my 98 SS.:confused:

Originally posted by LT-14me
Is that in all states? cause my dealership basically told me that they have never heard of that before and to go f*ck my self. They said it was gunna be 400 bones to get my Air pump replaced and that they have never heard of that law. Does that law apply to only original owners of the vehicle? Cause i believe i am the 3rd and hopefully the last owner of my 98 SS.:confused:

Nope it is a Federal law. The reason they told you to take a hike is 1) they would get crappy reimbursement from GM 2) the job sucks and 3) they can make a lot more money off you if they submit the claim to GM AND charge you.

Its a b*tch to get dealers to cover stuff under this law, but you should have the info in your owners manual, or emission supplement. I had the exhaust studs on my 94 wrangler replaced 2 years ago (at about 62k) because all but two had snapped off due to thermal expansion/contraction. It took 2 weeks of phone calls to daimler chrysler customer service to force a dealer to do it. They took it under the premise that it would be covered, then told me it wasnt. I called DC, dc gave me a problem code and a bill code, which I then gave to the Jeep dealer. They called back a week later saying the work had been done, but that it wasnt covered under the law. I told them that I was told by numerous reps in Michigan it was, and that the next call they were to expect from me was from my lawyer for fraudulent billing practices. Next morning they had a mechanic deliver it to my home, all fixed up and detailed (not just washed). They knew they were in the wrong (kind of an admission of guilt there no? )

:cool:

PS, I am the third legal owner of the Wrangler (albeit its been in a close circle of friends since day one)

Originally posted by z28chrizz
Nope it is a Federal law. The reason they told you to take a hike is 1) they would get crappy reimbursement from GM 2) the job sucks and 3) they can make a lot more money off you if they submit the claim to GM AND charge you.

Its a b*tch to get dealers to cover stuff under this law, but you should have the info in your owners manual, or emission supplement. I had the exhaust studs on my 94 wrangler replaced 2 years ago (at about 62k) because all but two had snapped off due to thermal expansion/contraction. It took 2 weeks of phone calls to daimler chrysler customer service to force a dealer to do it. They took it under the premise that it would be covered, then told me it wasnt. I called DC, dc gave me a problem code and a bill code, which I then gave to the Jeep dealer. They called back a week later saying the work had been done, but that it wasnt covered under the law. I told them that I was told by numerous reps in Michigan it was, and that the next call they were to expect from me was from my lawyer for fraudulent billing practices. Next morning they had a mechanic deliver it to my home, all fixed up and detailed (not just washed). They knew they were in the wrong (kind of an admission of guilt there no? )

:cool:

PS, I am the third legal owner of the Wrangler (albeit its been in a close circle of friends since day one)

Thanks for clearing things up, unfortunately i do not have an owners manual for my car. the previous owner kept it:confused: :mad: Dont know what he wanted it for, he also kept my build # and slp options sheet too. But ne way, How would you suggest that i go about puttin a claim like this in? Should i call GM directly? Is that even possible?..lol...i walked in and the lady at the desk was like hold on let me check, she called up the head mechanic and he said 400 bones or nothing. But i have been looking on e-bay for airpumps i found one...off a 2001 SS with 38k on it supposedly. But i would wrather not have to pay at all since it is supposed to be covered underlaw.

Originally posted by LT-14me
Thanks for clearing things up, unfortunately i do not have an owners manual for my car. the previous owner kept it:confused: :mad: Dont know what he wanted it for, he also kept my build # and slp options sheet too. But ne way, How would you suggest that i go about puttin a claim like this in? Should i call GM directly? Is that even possible?..lol...i walked in and the lady at the desk was like hold on let me check, she called up the head mechanic and he said 400 bones or nothing. But i have been looking on e-bay for airpumps i found one...off a 2001 SS with 38k on it supposedly. But i would wrather not have to pay at all since it is supposed to be covered underlaw.

I would start with a call or email to GM customer service. Their job is to make you happy, not to save money, or make the dealer happy.

Try the email phone thring through this venue:
http://www.gm.com/gmcomjsp/contactus/#

Quoted directly from the Federal Clean Air Act, 1976 (updated in 1989):

Specified major emission control components.- In
the case of a specified major emission control component,
the warranty period for new light-duty trucks and new
light-duty vehicles and engines manufactured in the model
year 1995 and thereafter for purposes of subsection (a)(1)
and subsection (b) shall be 8 years or 80,000 miles of use
(whichever first occurs). As used in this paragraph, the
term `specified major emission control component' means
only a catalytic converter, an electronic emissions
control unit, and an onboard emissions diagnostic device,
except that the Administrator may designate any other
pollution control device or component as a specified major
emission control component if-
(A) the device or component was not in general use
on vehicles and engines manufactured prior to the
model year 1990; and
(B) the Administrator determines that the retail
cost (exclusive of installation costs) of such device
or component exceeds $200 (in 1989 dollars), adjusted
for inflation or deflation as calculated by the
Administrator at the time of such determination.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "onboard
emissions diagnostic device" means any device installed
for the purpose of storing or processing emissions related
diagnostic information, but not including any parts or
other systems which it monitors except specified major
emissions control components. Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to provide that any part (other than a part
referred to in the preceding sentence) shall be required
to be warranted under this Act for the period of 8 years
or 80,000 miles referred to in this paragraph.


Since the air pump is so delicately named the smog pump, I think it should be covered. If not, bail on the pump and call it a day. Many LS1 owners have, and with nary a problem.

Originally posted by z28chrizz
I would start with a call or email to GM customer service. Their job is to make you happy, not to save money, or make the dealer happy.

Try the email phone thring through this venue:
http://www.gm.com/gmcomjsp/contactus/#

Quoted directly from the Federal Clean Air Act, 1976 (updated in 1989):

Specified major emission control components.- In
the case of a specified major emission control component,
the warranty period for new light-duty trucks and new
light-duty vehicles and engines manufactured in the model
year 1995 and thereafter for purposes of subsection (a)(1)
and subsection (b) shall be 8 years or 80,000 miles of use
(whichever first occurs). As used in this paragraph, the
term `specified major emission control component' means
only a catalytic converter, an electronic emissions
control unit, and an onboard emissions diagnostic device,
except that the Administrator may designate any other
pollution control device or component as a specified major
emission control component if-
(A) the device or component was not in general use
on vehicles and engines manufactured prior to the
model year 1990; and
(B) the Administrator determines that the retail
cost (exclusive of installation costs) of such device
or component exceeds $200 (in 1989 dollars), adjusted
for inflation or deflation as calculated by the
Administrator at the time of such determination.
For purposes of this paragraph, the term "onboard
emissions diagnostic device" means any device installed
for the purpose of storing or processing emissions related
diagnostic information, but not including any parts or
other systems which it monitors except specified major
emissions control components. Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to provide that any part (other than a part
referred to in the preceding sentence) shall be required
to be warranted under this Act for the period of 8 years
or 80,000 miles referred to in this paragraph.


Since the air pump is so delicately named the smog pump, I think it should be covered. If not, bail on the pump and call it a day. Many LS1 owners have, and with nary a problem.

Thanks for the info, i will try again with this information. But i do NEED the airpump because as stated before i have to deal with emissions, and my airpump is off now, and my car is too rich and it failed to pass the sniffer so i def need one.