Home page
SPONSOR AD

Topic: Check engine light

in Forum: C4 General Discussion

Re: Check engine light

Posted: 9/23/11 4:33pm Message 11 of 20
Standard Member
Moderator
Send PM
lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
redvette89 said:

Does anyone know if the engine check diagnostic service from Auto Zone, NAPA, O'reillys, Carquest, etc will work on our C4's ? And if so, is it good for some years but not for others?  I've taken a few vehiles from the early 2000's to our local AutoZone to get the codes read and it was great. But I'm wondering if this applies to our Vette's ?

Anybody know .....
only if they are obdII which most of the c4s are not. some 95s may have it but in 96 is when they changed over to obdII.
if you jump the a and b terminals on your aldl plug you have to count the flashhes of the ses light. it starts with 12 which is the computer check when you first enter diagnostics. one flash and then two quick flashes. then if any codes are stored count the flashes in the same way and then look up in service manual.























the dynamic duo


c3vr life member #97
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C4VR)

Re: Check engine light

Posted: 9/24/11 12:30am Message 12 of 20
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Mesa, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/26/2011
Posts: 64
Vette(s): 1995 Coupe Red, automatic, all original, haven't changed a thing -- except the tires, battery, stuff like that. You know what I mean!
I've never had much luck with AutoZone where I live.  But I could give you the name of a great mechanic if you live in the Phoenix area!





Love my C4!

 

Re: Check engine light

Posted: 9/24/11 4:58am Message 13 of 20
Standard Member
Moderator
Send PM
lanoka harbor, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/22/2009
Posts: 1363
Vette(s): 1990 L-98 white/ red/black leather interior targa top auto 1975 L48 blue/black leather interior t tops auto
rita, you have a 96 if i am not mistaken so you should have no trouble as yours should be obdII. maybe the help doesnt know how to operate the scanner? try jumping the a& b terminals ans shouls show up on your dash display. many books out there have the codes listed.




















the dynamic duo


c3vr life member #97

Re: Check engine light

Posted: 9/24/11 4:38pm Message 14 of 20
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Mesa, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/26/2011
Posts: 64
Vette(s): 1995 Coupe Red, automatic, all original, haven't changed a thing -- except the tires, battery, stuff like that. You know what I mean!

Nope, mine is a 95.  Could still be the inability of the associate at AutoZone to get my codes.  I have had someone help me get codes using the method posted.  But now I have a good mechanic and if I mess up trying to do it I just go get him to help.




Love my C4!

 

Re: Check engine light

Posted: 9/25/11 3:50pm Message 15 of 20
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Charlotte, NC - USA
Joined: 5/15/2010
Posts: 26
Vette(s): -1993 LT-1, Coupe, 6speed, white/black -1986 L98, Coupe, 4+3, Black - SCCA TT Racer -1979 L48 Coupe, Auto, Red/doeskin
96 and later would be OBDII. Some late 95s may have it as well. Easy to tell as the older data link is rectangular and the OBDII is trapezoid in shape. I wouldn't do anything without using a scanner to identify the problem. You can buy ones online that do virtually every car model (which is what I use from AutoXray) since 1980, for a couple hundred bucks or some that are for the pre-1996 manufacturer specific data links. These units run about 50-100 bucks. Some basic OBDII units are also available. You ca buy code scanners online or from Autozone, NAPA, or any major auto parts store. Without scanning your car's computer you are just guessing. It literally could be any one of a hundred problem, including something as simple as a loose connector. So, get it scanned or buy a scanner (you'll be glad you did).


There is no problem a little horsepower can't fix!

C4s: 1993 LT-1 coupe, 6-Speed, White w/black 1986 L-98 Coupe, 4+3 Trans, Satin Black w/red-black interior - SCCA Time Trial racecar.
C3: 1979 L-48 couple, auto, Red w/doeskin interior.
 
http://www.c4vetteregistry.com/member_uploads/14301_14400/14327/100_5963_zpse01892a52014510161358r.jpg

Re: Check engine light

Posted: 9/28/11 3:13pm Message 16 of 20
Standard Member
Send PM
Roscommon, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2009
Posts: 24
Vette(s): 1991 Coupe L98 Turquoise with spoiler and Black interior
If your check engine light was on for 5 minutes don't worry about it yet it could be weather related (i.e. cold, damp, both etc). But as your Vette gets older thing happen. I have been driving with my check engine light on for about 2 years now (91 Model) and running great. However I recommend buying a Diagonostic tester for peace of mind, i have an InNova Tester that handles both OBD I and II and it works great on my vette OBDI and my other vehicles with OBDII. It helps to know what you are facing when you take a car in for repairs also.


Re: Check engine light

Posted: 10/12/11 2:11pm Message 17 of 20
Standard Member
Send PM
Cohutta, GA - USA
Joined: 12/16/2010
Posts: 50
Vette(s): 1992 Aqua Metallic Coupe, 6 Speed Manual 1974 Silver Mist L82 Coupe, 4 Speed Manual
Thanks guys. I've drove it a couple of times since this original post and the light has never came back on. No Problems :-)


Re: Check engine light

Posted: 1/17/12 12:14am Message 18 of 20
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Bandera, TX - USA
Joined: 1/4/2012
Posts: 28
Vette(s): one ea. 1996 LT1, red on gray interior, stroker 383 Dart heads w/ 2.02"int,1.60exeh 11.8:1, Comp Cam 230/236@50 .570/.576 113LSA , Crane 1.6:1`rocker arms, GM Delphi roller lifters HiFlo Cats, Xpipe and low restriction muffles, it sounds lumpy at idle!!!
I am having the same problem and have a recording module pluged in the OBD II under the dash. One reason the light will flash then go out is a misfire. I replaced a set of plugs and stopped the ECU from setting a hard code. My injectors are new but I can't help but think the sound that I hear when the check eng. light flashes is fuel related, either rich or lean. I am also changing the fuel filter. There could be water in the fuel from condesation or from the pump.  I hope to have more tommorrow. JRB


Re: Check engine light

Posted: 1/17/12 12:18am Message 19 of 20
Profile Pic
Standard Member
Send PM
Bandera, TX - USA
Joined: 1/4/2012
Posts: 28
Vette(s): one ea. 1996 LT1, red on gray interior, stroker 383 Dart heads w/ 2.02"int,1.60exeh 11.8:1, Comp Cam 230/236@50 .570/.576 113LSA , Crane 1.6:1`rocker arms, GM Delphi roller lifters HiFlo Cats, Xpipe and low restriction muffles, it sounds lumpy at idle!!!
Do not jump the terminals on the connector under the dash on your OBD II,  or you could and then you will know why I wrote this! JRB


Re: Check engine light

Posted: 1/18/12 2:17pm Message 20 of 20
Standard Member
Send PM
Wake Forest, NC - USA
Joined: 11/24/2009
Posts: 15
Vette(s): 1996 Collector Edition Convertible
I have 96 LT4 and mine goes on occasionally. Previously, there was some trash in the intake of the AIR causing the light go on. You might want to check that. So far, when the light goes on, everything seems to function fine. Keep in mind most of the error codes revolve around the emissions systems.


in Forum: C4 General Discussion


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C4VR)