Check engine light nuisance

[SHOMEdontplaythat]

Hello everyone,

I am brand spanking new to this forum and just wanted to find out if anyone has experienced this particular type of problem before. I have a 1993 SHO ATX and the check engine light seems to come on when I take off fairly fast from a dead stop or when I accelerate like I am passing someone from 60 MPH to 70 MPH. Please note that I am not a hot rodder by any means and the car has been really well taken care of. The crazy thing about this whole issue is that the check engine light usually goes off after driving for a while. The check engine light goes off all together when I shut the car off and restart again. This issue has been like this now for over a year. I have just dismissed it as some kind of an electrical issue that is more of a nuisance than a problem so far at least in my opinion. I can drive the car around all day with the check engine light on or off and it seems to run fine mechanically. Any ideas of what it could be and how I could go about fixing this little nuisance for once and for all?

Thank you for your time in reading my post.

 

[projectSHO89]

Welcome to the Forum from a fellow SHO-Me stater!

www.shotimes.com has the procedure for checking your computer codes using nothing more than a short jumper wire, your eyes, and a piece of paper with a pen or pencil.

Pull the codes and see what the computer is complaining about. As you said, it's an electrical problem (usually a sensor) but if it still drives, keep on going.

Steve
89

 

[sdpatt]

The CHECK ENGINE light is not a nuisance. It is a very valuable tool for engine control system diagnostics. Here is a great site to learn how to check the information that the electronic engine control (EEC) computer is trying to tell you.

Testing: http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html
Codes: http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/3digit.html

All you need to do is install a jumper wire between the Self Test Input terminal and the Signal Return terminal on the EEC TEST connector near the passenger side strut tower. Refer to the diagrams in the site above for the location of these terminals on the test connectors. Then just turn the ignition key ON and watch the EEC do its job.

The codes will be displayed by flashes of the CE light. See the diagrams on the test site to learn how to read the flashes. The first flicker should be ignored, then the hard faults will be displayed then repeated. Then a six second pause, a single separator pulse, another six second pause, then the memory codes will be displayed and repeated. Your fault should show at least in the memory code section.

When you get the codes (3-digit for your '93), refer to the second site for the descriptions. If you are not sure what you need to do to correct the code, you will be in good hands to reply once again to this topic. We will be glad to help you out.

Chances are that it is either a plugged exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system or a tired oxygen sensor. There are few other conditions that will not noticeably affect the performance of the engine. If it is the O2 sensor, new sensors will help your performance and gas mileage.

And welcome to the SHO Forum. You will find that this is a great place to learn about your SHO.

 

[SHOMEdontplaythat]

Thank you fellow SHO Members for the warm welcome and for your prompt responses in helping a newbie evaluate my current issue. thumbs_u I will in deed check out the links that you have provided me as I really do want to resolve this issue before something really bad does happen. shoot I will keep you posted of my findings as progress is made.

Thanks again for all of your help and I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

UPDATED on July 20, 2002
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I realize that it has been a while and I did not forget about you guys so here is my latest update as promised. Please refer to the following link/thread for my newest update.

http://www.shoforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=002738#000007

<small>[ July 20, 2002, 01:21 AM: Message edited by: SHOMEdontplaythat ]</small>