check engine light means ?

[PapaNinfas]

i can take my car to the 1/4 mile track and make 15 passes full throttle and it will be fine. i can race from a 30 punch any day of the week and it will be fine. as soon as i am doing more than 50 mph and i punch it, the check engine light will come on soon after. then it will go off for a second, and come back on, then go off unless i punch it again. nothing seems to be going wrong with the car, but i try not to punch it on the freeway incase something is happening. i can accelerate pretty damn fast and the light wont come on, as long as i'm not flooring it. any ideas?

 

[sdpatt]

It means... check the engine. If the CHECK ENGINE light illuminates, there are engine diagnostic codes stored in the EEC that are easily retrieved. Either take the car to AutoZone and have them read the codes, or go here to learn how to install the simple jumper, run the key on engine off (KOEO) test and read the flashing CHECK ENGINE light output. I could give you a guess as to the source of the problem, but it's only a guess (O2 sensor). Ask the EEC and let it tell you the real problem.

 

[PapaNinfas]

yeah thats what i figured i should do. the thing is, the light only comes on right after i punch it on the freeway. so does that mean that when the light is off there are no codes being sent? cause i dont think i can really do a 50mph punch whil hooked up to the computer

 

[projectSHO89]

The codes are stored in the computer so you can read them LATER.

They will be in the category of "continuous" or "memory" codes.

Steve

 

[PapaNinfas]

oh cool.

(reminder: i am still 17 and would like to think i know much more than i really do about cars )

 

[Porod]

Mine was doing the same thing last spring, and I had the codes checked and it was the O2 sensors. Get your codes checked (autozone is FREE). If it is the O2 sensor, do them yourself-it isn't too hard, more time consuming than hard. If you do a search, the procedure is written up here, otherwise I can e-mail you.
Good luck. thumbs_u

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Porod:
Get your codes checked (autozone is FREE).

So is doing them yourself... whenever, wherever.

 

[sdpatt]

Search key: EEC Testing Procedure

It's this easy.

1. Make a jumper.

2. Plug it in to the test blocks.

3. Turn the ignition key ON.

4. Count the flashes. Find the expected output here flash sequences.

5. Look up the codes here 2-digit or here 3-digit.

<small>[ February 19, 2003, 10:39 AM: Message edited by: sdpatt ]</small>

 

[AutoSHO]

Just to note, PapaNinfas, in this case you will be getting 3 digit codes.

Here's a tip for getting the codes until you get used to it: Write down every group of flashes. If it flashes once, write down 1, and keep watching. You will probably end of with a sequence like this (as an example):

1,1,7,3,1,7,7,1,1,7,3,1,7,7

Don't let the extra "1's" confuse you. They are a separator code. The codes shown above are 173 and 177. the codes will be repeated twice with that separator pulse in between.

 

[Blue-By-U]

Sdpatt,
Nifty little tool you got there...others would probably really use the paper clip pictured lol.

Papaninfas - it is most likely an O2, I installed both of them within 45 minutes. The hardest part is wrenching them off the y pipe since they are prbably rusted where they touch the exhaust. Some places online offer them for 35 bucks each plus 5 shipping so 75 altogether.

Write me for detailed instructions I'll even give you my cell if u need the help thumbs_u

~Alex

 

[sdpatt]

AutoSHO:
Just to note, PapaNinfas, in this case you will be getting 3 digit codes.

Here's a tip for getting the codes until you get used to it: Write down every group of flashes. If it flashes once, write down 1, and keep watching. You will probably end of with a sequence like this (as an example):

1,1,7,3,1,7,7,1,1,7,3,1,7,7

Don't let the extra "1's" confuse you. They are a separator code. The codes shown above are 173 and 177. the codes will be repeated twice with that separator pulse in between.

The sequence is like this:

1. Fast codes - flicker (ignore)
2. Hard faults
2a. 2 second pause between digits of a code
2b. 4 second pause between codes
3. Hard faults repeated
4. 6 second pause
5. Single separator pulse
6. 5 second pause
7. Memory codes
7a. 2 second pause between digits of a code
7b. 4 second pause between codes
8. Memory codes repeated