My SES light has always come on after cruising for a while at operating temp. Not really a big deal.

I did a tune up a month or two ago, seafoam, plugs, oil, wires, dist. Cap, rotor, fuel filter, all the usual stuff.

That has made it come on less often, but it still comes on every other day.

It ONLY comes on while driving and NEVER stays on once you turn the car off then back on, so it is impossible to pull the OBD code.

Any ideas what it is??

 

A code that lights the light should remain in memory through MANY on/off cycles following.

When you DO pull the codes, what do you get?

About how long does the car have to be running before the light appears?

 

I'm sorry but this is just getting frustrating to me!

All these posts saying "My car has a problem. What is wrong?" but won't give important information like the type of vehicle, motor, tranny, exhaust, etc they are using!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

At minimum, set up your signature with relavent info about your application.

I'm not picking on you British Rich... this just seems to be happening a lot lately.

 

My apologies formula, you are absolutely right, no offense taken.
1992 Camaro 305. Totally stock except air filter and flowmaster muffler. (threw code before muffler change too)

Sofa...
I have not pulled the codes, I always thought, AND was told by more than one person, no light means no code will read???

I'd say at least 20-30 mins at full temp before it comes on, and it will stay on until the key is turned off.

I guess I'll go and try to get a code and see what happens, I need some water wetter anyway so I might as well do both at the same time...

 

Not true.

Codes are stored for something like 50 on/off cycles.

Pull them. Might be helpful. Even when you don't think there are any there. Force the car to confess what ills it.

 

No problem! My apologies for "ranting" in your post.

If you can get the code, you might check out this site...
http://gmtips.com/3rd-degree/dox/tip...es/code-01.htm
It has the code descriptions as well as some tips on troubleshooting them.

Best of luck!

 

hhhmmm...I am just glad Autozone will pull it for free so I can find out for cheap! ha ha

Thanks guys.

PS - Be prepared for my follow up ina few days...."no code, now what?!" ha ha ha

 

Last time I tried, Autozone would only pull OBD II codes. Maybe yours will be different.

 

My local Autozone will do OBD-I but you'll want to watch them do it... sometimes they don't count the codes right.

 

I doubt they have VatoZone in the UK.. I could be wrong though... (well I'm WRONG, but about that one thing, I mean)

All you need to pull the codes is a paper clip. You don't need no steeeenking code reader. See the tech articles on this site for details.

 

I was hoping someone would mention the paperclip.
You're giving this car more credit for intelligence than it deserves. Paperclip and screwdriver and you're set.

If it comes on after 20-30 mins my seat-of-the-pants-wild-guess is cooling system temperature type of failure. Maybe O2, since it's equally common.

Let us know. Remember, 12-12-12 is normal. After that, get a pen ready.
An electrical crimp on fork connector works great for this too, if you don't have any paperclips handy.

 

wow I thought Sofa was joking about the paperclip...anyone have the link for the thread...? (I have yet to do a search on here that works...I can put in "camaro" and it will say nothing found! LOL

BTW - I am not aware of Autyozone's in the UK either...I am in Florida
I hate the English weather!

 

Just stick in a paperclip to jump two holes together - top right, and second from the right, on the top row. I think those are the two in question.

Then put your keys in the ignition, turn it to run (not start). Then watch the check engine light flash to you. one flash - pause, two flashes = 12.
Then a long pause, then it'll repeat. 3 times. That means "ECM is working".
Then it'll do your trouble codes, ie 33, 62, 19 etc...

 

Can't say I blame you for that...

See the tech articles on this site. Go to the site's home page and look through them all. You'll learn an AMAZING amount, and it's all right there without having to ask and wait for answers.

 

Found it - thanks.
I think this might even work for my old man's Daewoo....he bought an OBD reader but it turns out his 1999 is OBDI!!!
....and I know Daewoo's are almost entirely GM parts....