Check Engine Light
October 15th, 2012, 07:33 AM
#1
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Check Engine Light
Lately I've been seeing my "Check Engine" light come on after driving for a half hour or so. It turns off after a while. There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with the operation of the car ('85 Toronado) as all gauges (oil, temp, alternator) are normal, and the car seems to run fine. Of course, when I bring it into the shop the light won't come on so they can't diagnose the problem. Should I worry?
October 15th, 2012, 08:35 AM
#2
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
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They should be able to upload the code causing the light - your car should be equipped with an OBD 1 style connector. If it's only intermittent I wouldn't worry much. I ran into this problem with my wifes car (96 GM) and it ended up being a 'misfire' on the #1 spark plug. I also ended up replacing the front O2 sensor as it was dirty. Have you checked your plugs to see if any of them are fouled?
October 15th, 2012, 09:15 AM
#3
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The check engine light monitors many other things that are not part of the oil/temp/alt light system.
As Allan says, a code should be stored whether or not the light stays on. Autozone, for one, will read the code for you for free if you take your car to one of their stores. Even if you don't fix it, you'd at least know what the problem is.
As Allan says, a code should be stored whether or not the light stays on. Autozone, for one, will read the code for you for free if you take your car to one of their stores. Even if you don't fix it, you'd at least know what the problem is.
October 15th, 2012, 06:16 PM
#4
Just an Olds Guy
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Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
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I'd go for the free diagnostic just for peace of mind knowledge. If it's a minor little thing, I'm sure Autozone will also wipe the codes if requested?
October 15th, 2012, 06:42 PM
#5
Connoisseur d'Junque
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: The Hudson Valley
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You just leave your license with the counter person and take the tool out to the lot.
If you want to clear the codes, you can clear them. '
The catch is that they may not have tools for anything other than OBDII (such as OBDI, ABS, Airbags, etc.).
A lot of those '80s cars can read out the codes through Check Engine Light flashes, though - if so, it's in the CSM.
- Eric
October 15th, 2012, 06:49 PM
#6
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The big chains cannot scan this car the can only do obdII. Actualy being a 85 you can scan it your self with a paper clip. the check engine light will flash the code. It will first flash a long single followed by 2 shorts flashes it will do this 3 times this code says the motor is not running after this the actual problem code will flash 3 times. with the first number being long flashes followed by short flashes for the second number. 36 would be 3 long followed by 6 short each code will repeat 3 times. Sounds like a O2 code since you drive it 30 minutes before it comes on . You will need to jump terminal A and B on the diagnostic connector they are side by side on the connector
Last edited by OLDSRALLYE350; October 15th, 2012 at 06:53 PM.
October 15th, 2012, 07:13 PM
#8
Just an Olds Guy
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Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
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Deja vu! I noticed that if you don't clik the gas cap MORE than 3 cliks there is a good chance of seeing that stupid light. I stopped, undid the cap and put it back on more than 3 cliks. Light went out in about 2 blocks. Must be something to do with gas tank venting that's also monitored.
October 16th, 2012, 05:51 AM
#9
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Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ
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Thanks for the tips
Thank you all for your tips on solving my problem. I did go to Auto Zone to have them check it, but they told me that on all cars older than '90 the codes are not stored in memory and can only be read if the light is on at the time. I don't know where to jumper the pins to do it myself, although I could do that if I knew where to locate it. Might just try the gas cap as the one on there is lockable and I didn't get a key for it; you know how that Murphy thing goes!
October 16th, 2012, 07:41 AM
#10
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As OldsRallye350 said, just jumper the terminals in the picture he posted:
October 16th, 2012, 03:52 PM
#12
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I believe our friends at Autozone are wrong again. I have an '83 Delta 88 and check engine codes are stored in memory, even when the light is out. You wouldn't know if the fault is present while testing anyway, because the engine is not supposed to be running when checking. The ignition is supposed to be in the on position, where the idiot lights come on steady, engine off. Check engine light will also be on. Just jump out those two points A and B shown on that diagram and it will begin to flash the codes. Each one repeated three times. At the end it will again flash code 12 three times.
October 16th, 2012, 03:57 PM
#13
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Location: southeastern Michigan
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I believe our friends at Autozone are wrong again. I have an '83 Delta 88 and check engine codes are stored in memory, even when the light is out. You wouldn't know if the fault is present while testing anyway, because the engine is not supposed to be running when checking.
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