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Service engine soon light

Tiny
GRRCARS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 196,000 MILES
The service engine soon light came on and the RPM needle sits just below one when idling. The car doesn't hesitate or sound rough when running. It's running normally from what I can tell.
Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 7:45 PM

53 Replies

Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Scan for codes, could be something like the gas cap was on lightly and needs to be reset. This guide will show you how

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Thursday, June 26th, 2008 AT 10:48 PM
Tiny
AVALENZUS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 116,700 MILES
All repairs done recently:
new radiator, thermostat, timing change, waterpump, and abs repaired.

The car continually heats of to the line just past 200. The termostat states should be 198 degrees and there is always a slight smell of hot antifreeze but no visable leaks, also Service Engine Light comes on and diagnostic code states P0507 idle high. Whats up? What is wrong and how can I repair it?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The thermostat change is no big deal. If the thermostat is 198 degrees a little over 200 is nothing to worry about. It's actually about right due to the positioning of the temperature sensor. If your idle is to high you might try cleaning your throttle plate with choke cleaner on both sides and also the idle air control hole, which is kind of an oblong hole near the throttle plate. Put the air duct back on and it may be hard to start and then see if it idles high then. YOu will need a scan tool to put your service engine light out.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NIKKISHAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
Hello. My service engine light has been on for a long time. I need to get my car inspected. I had a couple of diagnosis that state that I have a small leak so I changed the gas cap. Light stayed off for two days, then came back on. A mechanic has offered to reset the light right before my inspection. My question is will this allow the car to pass, or do I need to drive the car for a while before inspection? Thanks.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Why don't you have it smoke tested to locate the leak
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
To answer your question if you reset the light and learn the odb2 monitors and have the test done before the light comes back on and sets the code then yes its possible.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Just hope and pray it doesn't come on during the inspection if you decide that way -Good Luck
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Worse case senerio light comes on fails and pays for another smog and has to fix the problem. Also you said you replaced the gas cap I have found that some aftermarket gas caps dont seal well. Especially the locking ones.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DYLANV
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I have been an avid DIY and wanted to know if it is best to buy a simple all-in-one scanner for the OBD2 system or purchase the software and go the route of using a laptop to research and turn off codes.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
This is just my opinion. I'd get a handheld scanner that not only checks codes but also shows live engine data and will work on as many different makes and models, years as possible.

Manufacturer scanners are the best, but, that can get expensive. There is nothing wrong with using laptop and software. I don't happen to own a laptop at the moment.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUDY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 122,000 MILES
When I start my vehicle none of the accesory lights or gauges come on along with the blower for the heater. The vehicle runs and operates normally. Then after awhile of driving the everything kicks on as it is suppose to when you would normally start the vehicle. The service engine soon light has not come on in responce to this problem.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
May have a problem with the Body Control Module
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUDY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Would you happen to know how difficult of a job it would be to change the BCM in my 99 Grand Am
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
To be sure that is the fault a scanner is needed to check BCM. It is located right side dash up high to right of blower motor. They are @$340 so need to verify first.
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-1
Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUDY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
If I would go to a junk yard and purchase a BCM for my grand am will it effect the digital odometer for my car since it will be a different BCM. I've heard it would need to be programed to my car, but I wasn't sure if I needed to do that since I don't have keyless entry or power windows etc.
- Thanks
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETT6591
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 124,687 MILES
I am getting a check engine code for my pontiac grand am se 2.4 motor the code is p0171 systen to lean bank 1 so I was told this is making my car dump alot of fule to try to fix itself but now I have changed my ox sensor bank 1 2 times and no change and the cars cat is gettting really hot now the messed up part is that the car only dose this from time to time my check engine light will just go off on its own and the car will run fine no problems and then is will come back on and the car will be running like crap again and just this past winter I had gone like 2 mounth without a problem so when the car is cold I dont seem to be as bad in the winter any help would be great
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
You need a scan tool with latest software to program BCM.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So no one said the first thing you should check for is a vacuum leak with that code?Thats the first thing I would look for is a vacuum that would set a lean code for sure.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHUDY
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I was wondering if I replace the BCM will it effect my vehicle mileage since I have digital odometer.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETT6591
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes I have tryed when the car is running it is at a low idle and I had tryed spraying starting flu to see if I could get my idle to raise I had sprayed the wiring harness and other lines to see if it would work
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:04 PM (Merged)

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