SES light On Solid

226,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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BIGCAHUNA
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Hi - I have a '97 SC1 with a newer SES issue

One time in the past at approx. 65,000Km the owner told the shop it came on and went off few days later - dealership was still able to get a code without the SES being lit & told customer (previous owner) it was a bad sensor(rear)and they replaced at N/C as a courtesy (weird since the rear is costly)

anyway, i now have turned approx. 226,000KM with it coming lit solid but disappeared a week later

so are the codes stored and can they be pulled and/or cleared with the obd2 while the light is no longer lit?

some mechanics told me to wait b4 asking them to hook it up and others are saying it shouldnt matter...thing is the Parts Source shop will hook up (the OBD2) at N/C but only when the SES is still lit...

the first time it happened to me was a month or so ago and it went away on its own - now it has come and gone (within a week again) b4 having the chance to go there while it was still lit...lol

I want to ask them to pull the code for me without arguing about the light not being lit, a bit tricky if they are set in their ways or can I encourage them to humour me? or is it wait for the light to come back again? otherwise the car is well maintained & runs perfect...im leaning towards a gas cap or rear 02 sensor again but would like the codes to be sure...would appreciate any advice? thanks

ps, a little skeptical with donating at this point but will not hesitate down the road - thanks

richard
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:36 PM
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RASMATAZ
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  • 75,988 POSTS
Take it to Autozone and have them scanned it for free and get back with any code/s
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:39 PM
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PROTECH1980
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The codes will be stored in the ECM untill the ECM runs self tests and passes, from there it will take so many key cycles to clear itself. A good shop will have a scan tool capable of reading the codes, and if it only been a week since the light was on, the code should be stored, I would have them scan it and we'll start diagnoses there.
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:49 PM
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BIGCAHUNA
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forogt to mention, "PartSource" is in Canada..no matter, to confirm, your opinion then is the codes should be stored in computer and can be pulled without the SES being lit? thanks
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:52 PM
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BIGCAHUNA
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ah well to get the diag done at N/C i am pretty much at THEIR mercy since they already said they can only hook up the OBD reader when SES light is lit...guess ill have to wait (for it to come back on Solid) since this would mean a place like "PartSource" and those type stores don't have these type readers, right?
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:56 PM
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PROTECH1980
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Yes Sir, But like I said after so many key cylces of the ECM not seeing a problem it may clear itself, not sure how many cycles, once it is cleared a code will not show up, but being within a week it should show up. Also to add, not sure what kind of scanner they have and its abbilities? Like I said might want to have a shop scan it a bit better tool than a parts store, if that option is available to you.
Mar 17, 2011 at 8:59 PM
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BIGCAHUNA
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of course the choice is there but the point is having the diag at N/C (free) if another type reader/tool is used? then for sure i am looking at approx. 100.00 CAD or more for a shop with "that" capability - then the tech at (PartSource) is right by saying they will hook up the OBD2 reeder ONLY when the SES comes back since they are not equiped...so, since it has happened twice already? surely i should expect another return (SES Solid lit) soon enough and then go to PartSource and get the codes, then...will reply later approx. few weeks i would guess..thanks all the same for speedy reply. cheers
Mar 17, 2011 at 9:08 PM
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