im pretty sure my catalytic convertor is going out.. its not showing my ses light but think my check gauge lights are malfunctioning. do i have to take it into a dealer?

 

i have a 97 camaro z28. forgot to mention that

 

Your car is OBDII. You need a code reader, scan tool, or software for a laptop that can do it. Prices can range from about $30 for a code reader, to thousands for a professional scan tool. You can look on Amazon for automobile diagnostics.

You could also go to Autozone and have the code(s) pulled. Be sure to write the code number(s) down.

 

The "check gauges" light and the "SES light have nothing to do with each other. The check gauges light is only for gauge readings outside the acceptable limits.

When you first turn the key on, do the lights come on, then go out?

 

when i turn the key every light on my dash comes on. some ive never seen before. or maybe im just paying more attention now.. but they all go off except my check gauge light, until i start my car. and also in the morning time it doesnt do it. it seems only once it warms up the light does it.. ill probably just take it to autozone and see whats up. if my catalytic covertor is bad im just gonna cut it out and basically bypass it. i just smogged my car a month ago. and until i can afford one ill just run it with out it

 

The "check gauges" light would not come on for a problem with the catalytic converter. It only comes on if one of the dash gauges is outside the acceptable range.

Your 97 has 2 catalytic converters. If you remove them, your SES light will be on constantly, unless you have the codes "programmed out" of the PCM, or find a pair of O2 "sims".

 

alright, i wont mind the light. just cant afford one right now, and gonna have to drive it for work. so im sol. since your helping me with this maybe you could help me with something else, you seem to know your stuff. my car always runs hot like 220. i have a 180 thermostat. it runs at 180 but slowly goes up. only in town it does it on the freeway its fine. i thought it could be a air pocket in the system but i tried for a day to get it out. couldnt do it. any ideas on another problem that would cause that?

 

Sounds pretty normal. The fans don't come on until 226°, so when you are putting around in traffic, the temp is going to go up. As long as they come down when the fans come on, you should be ok. Flipping on the a/c will turn the fans on, too.

 

i ride around with my fans on if not it goes up 10 times faster. im gonna trputting a 160 thermostat, and higher pressure radiator cap, next new hoses. then if not fixed ill flush once more. then guess ill have to take it in and find out the problem. because i dont want a blown head gasket

 

Sounds like you may have an air-pocket in the system try rebleeding the coolant per the instruction on this site with the 2 air-bleed valves.

 

ill check it out. thank you for helping

 

Don't go higher than the stock 18 psi rating on the cap.

 

..alright i heard i might try it. but guess not. also heard if i didnt put a lt1 thermostat on then that could cause it. i replaced it awhile back not sure if i did a lt1 thermostat. but the car was overheating before this, so im sure there is something else wrong.