Rebooting/Reloading Main Computer

MYGENERICEMAIL

MEMBER
1996 GMC SIERRA
5.7L
V8
RWD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I have been having some minor issues with my truck. The engine light is always on, even though 3 different mechanics say there is nothing wrong with the truck.

When the engine light is on, my truck runs fine. When the light goes off, it runs rough and sometimes stinks of gas.

I've had a tune up done on the vehicle, which didn't help this at all.

I was told that a reboot or reload of the trucks computer would solve these issues.

I would like to know if this is true.

Would rebooting or reloading the trucks computer solve issues like this? Would it make them worse? Would it screw up whats been done so far?

What are the possible side effects and/or damages that could occur from rebooting/reloading the computer on something this old?

4 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Some computers have to be re programmed for a specific thing and doesn't hurt a thing. What is the code/codes you are getting. Check battery for condition including load test as a weak battery will cause phantom codes

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Sunday, February 28th, 2016 AT 4:01 PM

MYGENERICEMAIL

MEMBER
6 POSTS

Well, the codes I get are for the mixture ratio. But the mechanics I've taken it too say there isn't anything wrong. I mean it passes inspection.

I just think it's weird that it runs fine with the engine light ON, and runs rough when it goes OFF! Plus that nasty gas smell when it goes from on to off. It never smells when it goes from off to on, only when on to off.

Weird huh?

I've been told that old vehicles do this, and unless there is something wrong with the computer itself, it should be ok.

I've had this truck since 2010 and it does this all the time.

I would just like everything to work correctly. Or at least as correctly as possible.
The only way I was told that this issue might be solved, is if the trucks computer were rebooted or reloaded.

I don't mind having that done, if I know it's going to take care of the problem and not cause any others.

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Sunday, February 28th, 2016 AT 6:55 PM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

HOW 'BOUT RUNNING THAT PUPPY BY "AUTOZONE", "ADVANCE AUTO PARTS" OR ANOTHER PARTS STORE AND HAVE THEM SCAN FOR CODES. THIS IS USUALLY A FREE SERVICE!

THIS TIME, LET'S WRITE DOWN THE EXACT CODE NUMBERS (EXAMPLES P0123, P0136) CODES MIGHT/ CAN BE INTERPRETED DIFFERENTLY, OR EVEN A POSSIBLE DIAGNOSIS MIGHT BE DERIVED FROM CODES THAT MIGHT SHOW AT THE SAME TIME.

WE WANT THE ACTUAL CODE NUMBERS, NOT WHAT THEY "SORTA"/ "MIGHT"/ "COULD" MEAN !

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, February 28th, 2016 AT 7:19 PM

HMAC300