my ses light came on while i was` coming home today, but the scan tool at autozone wont read it, it syas link error....

what things would make this happen?

 

Is there power to the DLC under the dash? I'd check the CIG/ACCY fuse, think that's the one on yours.

 

I had the same problem with my 1995 3.4. SES light, but the guy at autozone couldn't read it. In my case, I have read that my problem is that my car's diagnostics are OBD1, not OBDII, the newer standard that is apparently used on all modern cars. The bad thing on my car is that the plug is identical to the newer OBDII, just the computer is set to the old style of Diagnostics.

Take a look at this:
http://www.aldlcable.com/sc/details.asp?item=aldlobd2

This may not be your problem, since the car's a 96, but it's something to think about anyway...

 

Yeah, I have a buddy with a '95 LT1 and it's the same way - OBDI with an OBDII connector. Hoping since his is a '96 it's just the fuse...

 

I did some things to the car, and then pulled the fuse for the pcm to see if the light would go off. It did, but came back on again today after i turned my air conditioner on. I was thinkijng about it and thats when it came on yesterday. Do you think that the vacuum gauge i just installed has something to do with it?

 

Did you get the code(s) read?

 

It wont read the code, it says link error....

 

I get an SES light on the highway after 5 minutes or so of driving, and it turns off, I'm told it may be my high flow cat. I also have a problem getting it read. I bought the correct scanner (i think) a long time ago, but it never gave me codes.

 

Did you check the fuse and for power at the connector? If the fuse looks good doublecheck by putting a meter on the terminal connectors where it plugs into the car. www.obdii.com/connector.html I've read/cleared codes on a '97 V6 even with my Predator.

 

All the fuses are fine, but i dont understand everything you are saying...

 

I'm still thinking it's the fuse that powers the data link connector - pull it and OHM it with a meter (or put a new one in) to make sure. Next thing I'd do is set the meter to DCV and see if you have power at the OBDII connector - put the leads on pins 4 and 16 for example, that'll tell you if you're getting power to the port. Been a while since I checked mine but think I had power even with the key off, if you don't try it with the key on also. If you're getting power to the port it's probably not the car, always a chance it was AZ's scanner/employee too - try another AZ.

 

I dont know which fuse to check, i dont see any that say DLC or link or anhything like that. Which one is it?

 

Look in your owners manual cause it might be different than mine. Mine is the "CIG/ACCY" fuse - Usage says cigarette lighter, data link connector (DLC) and is in the main fuse block inside the car.

 

What reading should i get when i meter the fuse and the connector?

 

On the fuse you're just looking for continuity between the spades to be sure it's not blown, on the DLC connector you're just looking for power - should be about the same as reading the battery terminals.