"Service Engine Soon"UPDATE-Light cleared

[Ralphy]

Hey all, I have a 98 GMC Sonoma 2WD 4cyl. and just replaced the gone bad catalytic converter. Of course the check engine light has been on and now that I have replaced the converter, does anyone know how to reset the light? I did not replace the O2 sensor as I am hoping it might still be good and don't want to spend another hundred if I don't have to. The converter was total trash, the honeycomb was broken and it rattled like a baby's toy. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

cheapest way is to unplug the battery for about a half hour. You can rent a scanner from an auto parts store. They usually will read the code and give you the option to delete the codes. Only problem with disconnecting battery is computer will reset and car will run like crap for a couple of times till the computer resets all the ignition stuff.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Around here, Autozone and Advanced Auto Parts will hook up, read the codes, and clear them if you want - free.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Yea, take it to an auto parts house and have them read the code/s.
If you had a bad converter, you probally have bad 02 sensors also.
Have them check before they clear.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

+2 on the Autozone recommendation. They did it for me on my 99 Montana van, once before I replaced the MAF, and then cleared it after.

 

[cbear34]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Like everyone said, go to autozone. You want to make sure something else did not cause the converter to go bad.

 

[Coors]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Google "clear codes"
And , usually, 10 restarts will clean the codes from the computer.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Yes the engine computer will cycle and reset itself if you have repaired the malfuntion. When you clear them the computer will not have the engine light on untill it recycles and if it then detects a problem or the same problem POOF.it comes back on again.

 

[Ralphy]

Re: "Service Engine Soon" UPDATE

Re: "Service Engine Soon" UPDATE

Well carp, just got back from Autozone and due to the fact that our state now has mandatory annual emission testing as part of our safety inspection, they are no longer allowed to clear codes. They did read it for me and the only code that showed was 420 catalytic converter failure and even tho I have replaced it, they said they are not allowed to clear the codes. Tried the disconnect battery routine but that didn't work as several posters said. The old rock and hardplace!!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Try the battery trick again....... leave it completely disconnected for an hour.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

It's a hard fault--disconnecting the battery won't reset it---that trick only takes 10 minutes anyway. The computer will shut the light off itself after three "good trips" (meaning no-faults found). If it's not fixed then the light won't go out.
--
Stan

 

[Ralphy]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Thanx for the repsonses. Yeah I had the battery off for at least an hour so I don't think that's going to work either. How long a trip is a "good trip"? I have made one run to the autozone about 12 miles. Then I started calling the "experts" at all the area autoparts stores and got as many answers as I did calls. One guy told me a 40 mile trip at 55mph would clear it. I wasnt doing anything so took an hour ride out in the country and that didn't work. Another guy told me 40 starts and then it will clear. Another says 150 miles because the computer is in "lock" mode even if the code is cleared. Stupid government!

 

[SuperNova]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

No, there is no way to tell you for sure how long a trip is because length of drive is not how a "trip" is measured. You have to meet certain criteria for certain "monitors" or tests to run. You could drive it all day without meeting those conditions and thus never complete a "trip". With that said here is my suggestion: just drive it normally and if the light doesn't go out by itself within about 2 weeks, well then you still have a problem. Patience saves more money in the long run than trying to force the issue. if you really want to try to make it go out then the Cat monitor is usually done at highway speeds on a minimum 3/4 throttle acceleration from 30 to 70 and also on a no-brake decel from 70 down to 30. A steady run at about 35 mph may help as well---should only need 3 or 4 miles. In between the vehicle needs to cool completely to ambient temp. i still would recommend just being patient and giving it 2 weeks to settle itself....you'll retain more hair.
--
Stan

 

[azlakes]

Re: "Service Engine Soon" UPDATE

Re: "Service Engine Soon" UPDATE

Well carp, just got back from Autozone and due to the fact that our state now has mandatory annual emission testing as part of our safety inspection, they are no longer allowed to clear codes. They did read it for me and the only code that showed was 420 catalytic converter failure and even tho I have replaced it, they said they are not allowed to clear the codes. Tried the disconnect battery routine but that didn't work as several posters said. The old rock and hardplace!!

... try Checker Auto, they lend you the code reader for that very reason. you can reset it yourself and they are not liable. the reader is easy to follow and use, just hooks up to a junction box by your brake release. it tells you how to reset on the screen. we currently have the dreaded flex-fuel composition sensor error which is a scam to shell out 600 bucks for a dealer item.

good luck!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Thanx for the repsonses. Yeah I had the battery off for at least an hour so I don't think that's going to work either. How long a trip is a "good trip"? I have made one run to the autozone about 12 miles. Then I started calling the "experts" at all the area autoparts stores and got as many answers as I did calls. One guy told me a 40 mile trip at 55mph would clear it. I wasnt doing anything so took an hour ride out in the country and that didn't work. Another guy told me 40 starts and then it will clear. Another says 150 miles because the computer is in "lock" mode even if the code is cleared. Stupid government!

When you disconnect the battery you need to have the KEY IN THE RUN POSITION. Wait several minutes then turn the key to off position then reconnect the battery cable. Note if you take the car in for inspection while the codes are cleared before it resets the machine will say its not ready for testing. The engine has to run through the cycle .Some cars do it in less than an hour ,some need a couple days of everyday driving. good luck OBD11 can be a pain in the arse sometimes.

 

[mscher]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Thanx for the repsonses. Yeah I had the battery off for at least an hour so I don't think that's going to work either. How long a trip is a "good trip"? I have made one run to the autozone about 12 miles. Then I started calling the "experts" at all the area autoparts stores and got as many answers as I did calls. One guy told me a 40 mile trip at 55mph would clear it. I wasnt doing anything so took an hour ride out in the country and that didn't work. Another guy told me 40 starts and then it will clear. Another says 150 miles because the computer is in "lock" mode even if the code is cleared. Stupid government!

Sound's like it might be about time to pony up a few bucks for your own ODB II code reader. There are models out there for under $40.

Almost a "must have" in every automobile toolbox these days and you will prabably need it again sometime.

Good luck

 

[Ralphy]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Thanks for all the help guys. In spending most of the day researching and finding little tidbits here and there, Supernova's analysis sounds pretty dead on. I will give a week and hopefully it will clear. Will keep y'all posted. Thanks again.

 

[dolluper]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

4 cycles at operating temperature>>> meaning 4 drives with the vehicle operating at operating temperature will clear the code if in fact it is fixed right

 

[MikDee]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

I bought a cheap OBD11 scanner from Auto zone for my 96' Sonoma pickup, it can clear codes, and it can do any OBD11 vehicle. I've seen them on E-bay, & Amazon for like $40. Mine just gives you the code #'s no description, but you can get the desc. online with it.

Go here for more info, there's 4- O2 sensors on your truck, the last one in line, just tells you that your cat is either missing, or inoperative (that's all it does!) maybe it's defective?

http://www.s10forum.com/forum/"

 

[Ralphy]

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Re: "Service Engine Soon"

Ok...the cat was totally wiped out. When I took it off you could hear the chunks of whatever the honeycomb is made of rattling around. Before I removed it the noise was very very loud when the engine was running. Everyone keeps stressing "if it was fixed right". I mean how can you mess up replacing the converter? Only fits on one way, 3 bolts in front, 3 in rear. If the o2 sensor was also bad would that not set off a different code? As I stated earlier the scan only shows one code. 420 which is "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold". I sure appreciate all the help.