Service Engine Soon Light

woyster_00z71 · January 21, 2004

Well, this morning on my way to work as I was cruising on my way to work I had just slowed to exit when my Service Engine Soon Light came on solid. This is in my '01 Tahoe. The truck isn't running rough or anything but the light has stayed on through 3 starts now. I have also been noticing a strong gas smell ever since my last fill up Sunday night.

I called the stealer's service department and for $78 they will scan the computer and diagnose the problem. He told me to make sure the gas cap is tightened and not on crooked or anything. Well, as far as I know, it is.

Does anyone else have any ideas on what could be causing the light to have come on and why am I getting a strong gas smell? I have also noticed that my fuel pump seems to be running very loud lately. Could the gas smell and the loud fuel pump be related? Do I need to change the fuel filter?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Anything to avoid the $78 stealer charge.

Thanks,

B.J.

97whitez71 · January 21, 2004

I'm not sure about the gas smell, but I know you can take the truck to Autozone and they will read the engine light for free and tell you what needs to be done. Sorry not much help.

woyster_00z71 · January 21, 2004

No, that helps alot! Thanks! I will take the truck to Autozone and have them read the code and see what is up. At least then I will know what it is before having to take it to the dealer.

I also read in the owner's manual that larger tires can cause the light to go off. I would hate to take it to the stealer and them tell me it is due to my 315's and there is nothing that can do. That would be kissing $78 goodbye.

Thanks a lot!

jhm · January 21, 2004

If you have not changed the filter, do it anyway. I know a guy who ruined his fuel pump because of a semi clogged filter. I suggest you use a flare nut wrench if you are going to do it yourself, you dont want to strip the fittings.

HumanZoom · January 22, 2004

I dunno about the gas smell...but it could be the gas lid. I didnt tighten mine down all the way one time and the light came on. Since then I went back and tightened the gas cap but the light continued to stay on. It didnt go off until I brought it in to the dealer so he could reset it (of course I didn't pay anything b/c mine was under warrenty).

99silveradoz71 · January 22, 2004

I had the light come on several months ago and it ended up being a fuel vent hose. Dealer replaced under extended warranty with no problems since.

woyster_00z71 · January 27, 2004

Well, I broke down and took the 'hoe to the dealer this morning. After determining it wasn't the gas cap and replacing the fuel filter I was tired of the light going off. As it turns out, the Service Engine Soon light, the gas smell and the loud fuel pump were being caused by a bad fuel pump. Apparently a hole in the top of the fuel pump/sending unit was created (how???) and gas was leaking causing the smell, excess fuel pump noise, and the SES light. So, I got a new fuel pump today.

It is being covered under my GMPP extended warranty but I discovered today that I have driven just shy of 24,000 miles in the past 10 months. My mileage currently is 69,226 and my warranty runs out at 69,321. So today's bill is only going to be $100 but my next problem will cost me much more.

Anyone know of a good mechanic in the NW-Houston area?

Thanks,

B.J.

seadoons · January 28, 2004

d**n!!! 24K in 6 months? Thats a lot of miles!! Good thing you took the truck in when you did - you really cut it close. Why does the warranty end at 69,321? My truck has 52K on it and I have the GMPP warranty but haven't needed it yet (knock on wood). I work close to Memorial City Mall and there is a Joe Auto real close to that (I-10 and Bunker Hill). Very honest people, reasonable prices, d**n clean, air conditioned shop, you can walk out in the shop while they work on the truck, they wash it for you when they are done, and you can even watch your truck be worked on on their website. Where do you live?

woyster_00z71 · January 28, 2004

Oops, sorry, meant 10 months. That is still alot of miles. I live in the far Nortwest side in Cypress in the Fairfield subdivision but I work at I-10 and Eldridge.

My extended GMPP warranty ends at 69,321 because when I bought it I only got a 2-year 24,000 mile extended warranty from 45,000 miles. I'm now wishing I had gotten a longer warranty package.