My gas milage went to almost 1/2 what it had been before and the car was stalling a bit so I brought it in and had the codes pulled. At the time the SES light was on most of the time but it went off from time to time and didn't come on til you had driven a lil. They found that the MAF was bad, o2 sensor was totally dead, and the spark plugs likley needed to be replaced. I put in a new used MAF and new o2 sensor this weekend. Unhooked the negative ground for over an hour to clear the computer. The car drives fine now and the gas milage is back up but the SES light stays on all the time now. It'* on right when I start the car up and doesn't go off even for a min like it did before. I know everyone will say I need to pull the codes and I'll get around to it sometime soon here, I just want people'* guesses at what else it may be. So, what do you think?

If your plugs likely need changed I would do plugs and wires , it might not get rid of SES but if they arent good it probably will help with mileage. Also put your year and trim in your sig ,you could probably pull your code with a paperclip.

Go to Technifo, and find the article about pulling codes off the light.
You can do this yourself, just jump terminals a and b on the ALDC (assembly line diagnostic connector.) Code 12 will flash, 1 blink, short pause, 2 blinks. Long pause and the code will repeat itself. Lets indeed hope you don't have a code 41, that was a PITA to repair! Involved pulling the timing cover, dropping the oilpan, and what a PITA! But, its fixed, and garunteed for another 100,000 kms!

ok, now see this is scary, THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM i had last year, everything the same, EVERYTHING, i replaced my MAF cause it was bad, and the o2 because it was worn out and then the plugs and a couple other things, and TO THIS DAY that BRIGHT ORANGE SES light is on, it is THE MOST ANNOYING THING EVER, please, someone help, i want it off too, help out the SES people in need.

Update: All fixed...no problems anymore

Hang onto your shorts WJ..we'll get this one fixed up. Please follow along and pull your codes as well. Report back and pray you don't have code 41...cause Don seems to indicate it'* BAD

Code 41 = Cam sensor circuit

PITA to fix, but doable.

well i was told to repost with my code, and my code is 22 and i know that means TPS voltage too low but it is set PERFECTLY

You need to know what the ECM is seeing from the TPS sensor, so we can rule out the TPS and wiring as well as the ECM... These older 3800'* nedd the TPS for load and fuel calibration.. If the ECM thinks the voltage is too low than there may be an issue with the TPS... Have you ever replaced it?

well today i set my mind to fixing this dang car, totally sick and tired of that light. So i sat down and thought about what could be causing that code. Well it turns out that the TPS i bought from Advance Auto Parts has been defective the whole time!!! i put the old one back in and now the car is PERFECT AGAIN!!! EXPLAIN THAT. The only thing is that it won't reach WOT, it only reaches 4.33v for WOT, and for idle i have it set at .44. The ECM doesnt seem to mind, so, i don't know what to say, just thought i would post that