My car threw a SES a couple of nights ago, its done it every time since the car has reached 160 degrees, today it came on from a cold start? The fans came on too.

Heres the fun part, I have no access to a scanner due to my location!

What can I do? What could I check for? I already reset the pcm and the SES light came on within a couple of minutes. I also notice that the exhaust smells a little rich at idle, not badly but enough to burn my eyes and throat!

Standard car other than the mods in my sig, 44,000 miles on the car.

I recently noticed that my mgp has decreased to 17 with careful driving, could this be O2 sensors? (I should also note that I can't really feel one of my injectors firing, not as easy to feel as the others anyway.)

Help!

 

Its really impossible to know whats wrong without a scanner, sorry. Otherwise its anyone's guess and you'll be throwing parts at it. I would buy a scanner online.

You'll need to rig a OBD1 scanner:
http://shbox.com/1/xraycable.jpg

 

I was looking into getting one of the Autoxray ones, but first I just thought I should check the oil and coolant levels. Coolant is fine, but the oil is very low, only covering about the bottom 10mm of the dipstick. I only topped it up a few months ago up to the full mark.

I know I need the code reader to be sure but would a low oil level set an SES? (I still have good pressure)

My second question is where is the oil most likely to be going? Its not in the coolant, the motor has always had a slow drip underneath (hence why I topped it up) but theres no more oil on my regular parking spot than usual? I can't see anything coming out the exhaust.

Any ideas?

 

I'm not sure if the low oil level sensor will throw a SES. You could perform a compression and leakdown test to find out if your rings are still in good order, if not, you could be consuming oil. Is there white smoke coming out the tailpipe? How old is your pcv valve? Whenever you have a sudden oil loss, the pcv valve is one of the usual culprits.

Hopefully you get the scanner soon.

 

Scott,
Have you checked the fuse for the air-pump,you'll find it under the bonnet.If the fuse is blown it will set off the SES light and cause the fans to run constantly.
Regards,Mark .

 

Thanks for the replies, I can't see anything unusual coming out of the tailpipes. Its smells a little rich but not oily in the slightest.

As far as I know the PCV valve is the original from 1995.

I stuck half a litre in just now, its all I have at the moment. It barely moved up the dipstick so I have lost more oil than I first thought. I reset the PCM and went for a spin and the SES light still came on. I think I'll order the code reader tonight.

 

Autoxray's units work just fine. I'd think about one that will do both OBDI and II. For a scan tool, look at the 5000 and 6000 models. The 6000 is enhanced. The 5000 can be upgraded in the future to enhanced status. Both come with the correct cables, even for a '95.

 

Mark - I'll go and check now, cheers!

 

Mark - Good call, the 20amp AIR pump fuse has properly blown!

ss.slp.ls1 - I don't know about the PCV valve itself, but the PCV vacuum line that goes into the passenger side of the intake manifold (when I pulled it off) is wet with oil, it started to form a drip as I Pulled it off.

I also checked the oil level sensor on the sump, a definite leak there, also the back of the intake manifold made my fingers messy with oily dirt but it wasn't soaking wet.

Its not looking so good now is it!!!

So we all agree that the AIR pump fuse would set the SES?

Cheers all!

 

Yes, when the fuse for the AIR pump blows (properly or improperly ) it sets a code and turns on the SES light, and the fans run constantly.

Low oil level will illuminate the check gauges light. But its got to be pretty low for that to happen. It will not turn on the SES light. It is not connected to the PCM. Neither is the oil pressure sensor. Might want to check the oil more regularly.

You still need to get it scanned, unless replacing the AIR pump fuse eliminates the SES light. Note also that the most frequent cause of the AIR pump fuse blowing is a pump that's rusting up due to moisture buildup, and if the fuse keeps blowing, all you need to do is unplug the harness connector from the AIR pump, then replace the fuse = no SES light (93-95 only).

The line from the passenger side valve cover to the throttle body is not the PCV vacuum line. That is a vent line that is supposed to allow filtered, MAF measured air to flow from the throttle body to the valve cover, where the vacuum from the PCV valve pulls the clean air through the crankcase and the lifter valley, to clear out blowby and other harmful vapors. The vacuum for the PCV valve on the 95 should be routed from the PCV valve on the driver's side of the intake manifold, to a port in the front of the intake manifold, under the throttle body. Two things can cause excessive oil to flow backwards in the vent line, to the throttle body, including a plugged PCV valve, and excessive blowby on the rings. Take the top cover off the throttle body, and look for a puddle of oil. Check the PCV valve... waiting 13 years is a bit on the excessive side.

 

Scott,
If you ever need the car scanned,Steve Trice at Usautomotive has a scanner and will do it for free.Just send him an e-mail and let him know you're coming.
Best regards,Mark.

 

Ok, my bad I think.

I thought this: (Not my pic, just grabbed it from Google)



Was the PCV?

I see from Shoeboxes pictures that I am wrong, so whats that bit in the above pic and should it have oil in it?

 

Lol! I use USAutomotive for all my bits and bobs and never once thought to ask them!

 

Not sure if you saw my answer when you typed your question.

 

Lol I did read it but got confused sorry! Whats that vent tube called and what could have gone wrong to allow oil to get back as far as the TB?