1998 Vette engine difficulties

[pbkahn]

Last Night I went out around 7:30 Pm (itwas still around 90 degrees outside) and fired up my Vette for a quick trip to the store. I backed out of the garage headed for the store and got about 100 feet before all hell broke loose.

The DIC started spewing out REDUCED ENGINE POWER then SERVICE TRAC CONTROL SYS. The message kept going back and forth. The check engine light came on and stared at me.

I pulled over and turned the car off. I let it sit for about a minute and started it back up. I again received the REDUCED ENGINE POWER message, and I decided to head for the barn.

The car would not go above 10 MPH. I am hoping that this is some sort of diagnostic mode to protect itself from further damage.

The car has approximately 44K miles and is an automatic. I am having it towed into the shop this evening, but I was wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Peter

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi there,
Please retreive the codes from the PCM and the TCS, and post them.
We can assist from there.
Besttoyou, c4c5

 

[Vigor325]

Had the same engine problem

I have a 99' auto with 43k miles. Same problem happened to me. Everything went dead, same messages the whole works.

The good thing is was able to fix mine. I disconnected the battery hoping it would reset the computer. I believe it did. After 30 min or so I reconnected the battery and was able to get the entire system functioning as normal. I have put another 1k on since without issue.

After I did get it online I went into diagnostic mode. The car tooks errors in all modules in all areas. I know it was this that caused them because I cleared the computer a few days before.

So before you pay the big $$ try disconnecting the battery.

 

[Silver97]

Having same problem

Does any body know what is the fix? or should I take it to the dealer, I am driving to San Antonio form El Paso Tx. this week end and was planning on taking the vette, I don't know if it such a good idea now?

suggestions?

 

[c4c5specialist]

Hi Silver 97,
You have mail, as I would ask that you extract codes from the DIC, and let us know what you have, so we can proceed with diagnosis of your problem.
Yoursinc5, c4c5

 

[JBsC5]

I had a similiar problem with a 2002 GMC Envoy as I was heading home from the dealership the day I bought the car..

Interestingly enough...it was just a plug came out of the PCM whereby the computers weren't able to talk to each other..

This could be your solution..as could just tightening the battery terminal to specs

Did you ever replace the battery on your car? I had a 99 where by you could barely see it from above..but the battery leaked acid on all the wires below the battery box..You can test this by taking a solution of water and baking soda..and a little eye dropper..

Take the battery out..and squirt a few drops down into the whole of the battery box..if you hear a sizzle..its the baking soda neutralizing the acid..

It is possible that the battery acid ate through the wires to the pcm..

Might be nothing more than a loose battery terminal..just make sure you torque the battery terminals to GM specs..you don't want them too tight..as that might cause the battery leakage..

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[Silver97]

Thanks for the suggestions, I disconected the battery and I guess it reset the computer and it works fine now. I will still get the codes out and post them so that I can better understand what is going on.

 

[Gaming Glen]

So I'm not the only one. This happened a few years ago in my '98 around midnight. I pulled over, went to a pay phone, and called a tow truck which never showed up. I finally started the car, everything was okay, and drove home. I took it to the dealer the next day and they couldn't find anything wrong; explained it as water in the sensor (I think that's their "we don't know what's wrong" pat answer). Then 2-3 weeks ago it happened again. This time, I pulled over, turned off the car, turned it back on, and no problem.

I ordered my '03 last week, so I hope I don't have a repeat problem in the next 2 months.


Glen

 

[gaC5]

Had the same thing happen with my 98 when it was still under warranty. The dealer said it was water in some part of the emission system and they replaced it.

 

[JCR]

Replace the TCM module.. Check codes first.

 

[TLY-BAMA]

This stuff sounds weird. Problem, no problem. Cars that fix themselves. Sounds like my day is a coming. Whew!!!