Service engine light after tune up

k1500chevy97 · March 31, 2003

Ok , in celebration of blues arrival I took the time out of my schedule this weekend to give the 97 a slight tune up ( plugs , wires , cap , rotor , air filter , fuel filter, oil and filter change).

Well started to test drive it and about 5 miles after I left home the SES light came on and has been on since . I have checked to see if I disconnected any wires none are disconnected , all plug wires are snapped on and snug , cap, and rotor are both snug .

I disconnected the battery twice now for a half an hour each time and once i start it up the light pops on again .

Anyone have any ideas what can be going nutz (besides me ) ?

MCourson · March 31, 2003

Get a paper clip and bend it straight and then in half. Turn your key to the on possion and stick the paper clip in the first 2 holes on the top left of the diagnostic plug. like so:(bad pic but it will work)

Your check engine light will flash "12"(12=1 flash then pause and 2 flashes.......ie 32= 3 flashes pause then 2 flashes) It will flas "12" 3 times then after that it will flash the # of the problem if you have one (if the SES light comes on you abviously have one) if no problems it will continue to flash 12. It should flash the problem # 3 times. You can look up the number of the problem in a Haynes manual ( ch 6 I think) I will look for a website that lists the numbers if I can find it I will post it, if not I will borrow my buddies book and put the numbers on the web.

Hope this helps.

Dihappy · April 1, 2003

Im not sure about that particular year, but i remember i changed the air filter and had to disconnect a plut that goes to the air tube by the filter and it gave me a light.

I almost went crazy trying to figure out what it was

badhammer · April 1, 2003

can't do that with a 97 it is OBD 2 and you need a scanner to read the codes if you jumper the wiresyou will blow a fuse for the DLC connector. did you check the intake air temp sensor on the air cleaner and make sure it is pluggged in . also did you try to set the timming as on a 97' it is none adjustable if you moved the dist. you got the cam sensor out of position and that may be what is setting the light .

MCourson · April 1, 2003

What year dud they change to the OBD 2? I know I can do it in my '94 and a friends '95. Sorry bout that.

knightrider2000 · April 1, 2003

I belive they changed the computers over to the OBD 2 in 1996.. the new ones are way to senestive.. ran some upper engine cleaner through a vaccum line today and my SES light came on, code said Random misfire.. truck seemed fine to me, shut it off and it hasnt come back on yet.....

Matt

asepgrad98 · April 1, 2003

Autozone will scan it for free...... :thumb:

k1500chevy97 · April 1, 2003

Autozone will scan it for free...... :thumb:

I dont want to drive over 200 miles

Nope didnt move the distributor at all .

badhammer · April 2, 2003

96 was when they went to OBD 2 . almost any parts store will scan it for free pepboys , auto zone, ortake it to the shop and have them read it. it may be something not related to the tuneup you did just a conidince?

BlackSilver · April 2, 2003

See there, now ya went and BROKE it!

BigPappa95 · April 2, 2003

I have a 95 so thanks for the info on determining trouble codes MCourson! :thumb:

Jersey Tahoe LT · April 2, 2003

Check the gas cap. If it isn't tight it can cause the light to go on.

Later,

Brandon

City_Slicker · April 2, 2003

Check the gas cap. If it isn't tight it can cause the light to go on.

Later,

Brandon

For real??

Hey, Dont let Autozone touch your truck!!!!!!!!

Wingnut · April 2, 2003

Check the gas cap. If it isn't tight it can cause the light to go on.

Later,

Brandon

For real??

Yeah, my ex girlfriends Mustang drove me batty on that one for about three days before I took it to get some gas, and realized that the cap was gone.

I had been going through that F%&d from top to bottom looking for the problem.

Got a new one, and the light went out.

:werd:

BigPappa95 · April 2, 2003

Gas cap thing happened with my wifes Explorer too. Has to go through 3 cycles before it will clear. That is from cold startup to running on the road for a while then shut off. Also oxygen sensors and some other emissions junk effects the F$%#d's light.