Buick When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.

check engine soon

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 15, 2014 | 09:06 AM
  #11  
Tech II's Avatar
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 1,097
From: Worcester, Ma.
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Mike you are right, I only had a 2000 manual.....you need a wiring diagram to see if it'* a direct ground or serial data....
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2015 | 06:55 AM
  #12  
breid2138's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
breid2138 is on a distinguished road
Default check engine soon

I had this checked by a reputible garage but I didn't ask how they checked the ciruit. They did say it wasn't the bulb and they couldn't find anything wrong. I live in NJ and it is required for state inspection that this indicator be working to pass. I did just check the gas cap and noticed the rubber seal is cracked pretty bad, going to replace, who knows, maybe I'll get lucky for a change. Still searching for an answer, any ideas are welcome. Thanks
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2015 | 07:51 AM
  #13  
breid2138's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
breid2138 is on a distinguished road
Default update

I finally got around to pulling the instr cluster and found someone had stuffed the pockets where the leds for the check engine with pieces of a paper towel! Now I have to figure out why one CEL stays on and the other goes out when started (for some reason there are two check engine lights)
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2015 | 08:34 AM
  #14  
rjolly87's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,270
Likes: 464
From: Las Cruces, NM
rjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant future
Default

Wow, how can they check and see it'* not the bulb yet you check and find paper towel stuck in there? That is infuriating.

You'll need to pull codes to see what you are starting with. Autozone as well as some other part chain stores will do this for free.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2015 | 05:36 PM
  #15  
scottydl's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 6
From: Land of Lincoln
scottydl is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by rjolly87
Wow, how can they check and see it'* not the bulb yet you check and find paper towel stuck in there? That is infuriating.
No kidding! Crazy the amount of effort some people will pursue to NOT just do something right the first time. Getting codes scanned and trouble shooting a few problems is not all that difficult these days.

breid what is the "text" of the two lights? You might have a Check Engine Soon and Service Engine Soon light. One of them (the SES) is just related to maintenance, and comes on for instance when the Oil Change "Remaining" indicator reaches a certain level like 10%. That has to be reset manually after the oil change is done, otherwise it just stays on. The engine doesn't know new oil is in there.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2015 | 06:07 PM
  #16  
breid2138's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 33
Likes: 3
breid2138 is on a distinguished road
Default

The top one is "service vehicle soon" bottom "service engine soon" They both come on for the initial system check but the bottom one stays on. Went thru inspection and they read P0420 sounds like the cat is bad but I was wondering if it could be the O2 sensors (probably original factory)
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2015 | 06:48 AM
  #17  
scottydl's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 6
From: Land of Lincoln
scottydl is on a distinguished road
Default

Okay, sorry I had my wording of the messages a little confused. Service Vehicle Soon is likely for the oil change monitor whenever it comes on, the other is for the stored error code that you determined.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2015 | 09:40 AM
  #18  
Mad_Coachman's Avatar
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 249
Likes: 43
From: Baldwin,New York
Mad_Coachman will become famous soon enoughMad_Coachman will become famous soon enough
Default

Originally Posted by breid2138
The top one is "service vehicle soon" bottom "service engine soon" They both come on for the initial system check but the bottom one stays on. Went thru inspection and they read P0420 sounds like the cat is bad but I was wondering if it could be the O2 sensors (probably original factory)
What year and model Buick do you own? You should put this info in your signature(go to control panel to update your personal info).
As far as the P0420 code you probably have a bad catalytic converter. I had the same code with my 2001 LeSabre and my cat was fouled. You have to figure out what fouled it. In my case it was fouled by running rich and oil burning. You could get around the 420 code by installing an O2 eliminator(just GOOGLE it). I had to gut my cat because it had clogged. I never got anymore 420 codes since using the O2 "adapter".
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2015 | 09:01 PM
  #19  
Tech II's Avatar
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 1,097
From: Worcester, Ma.
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Just a heads up...what Mad Coachman did, won't work in all states.....in some states, where you have emission testing of exhaust gases, a gutted cat will not pass the test...
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2015 | 09:05 PM
  #20  
Mike's Avatar
Retired
Certified Car Nut
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 17,960
Likes: 1,839
From: Dark Side, AZ
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I agree, MadCoachmen, don't offer illegal activities please.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:13 PM.