"Check Engine" light blues

[HammerDown]

OK, the cars running fine...BUT if it Idles for to long a peroid, the Check Engine light comes on...after I start moving or rev the motor...the light goes out.
Too long sitting in traffic, drive thru, red light etc...light comes on...drive away, goes out.

Just wondering what it could be before I take it to the local shop...and get bent over.

Thanks...Ray

 

[Stingray6974]

Ray,
Since the CEL is going out after you get moving you are setting a soft code. Most likely it's 45, fuel mixture too rich. This can be fixed with a simple adjustment. If you have an old analog dwell meter I can walk you thru it.

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Mike, thanks for the reply...But what will a Dwell meter do for a vehicle without points???
And yes I do have one.
I thought the computer on the car would correct any type of "soft" issues?

Aways willing to learn something...thanks Ray.

 

[Stingray6974]

Ray,
Can you meet me in the Solid Axle Lounge?

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Ray,
Can you meet me in the Solid Axle Lounge?

Mike

Huh???...is that something dirty...lol
Don't know what your talking about.

 

[Stingray6974]

No Ray it's not something dirty.
It's the chat room here on the CAC. You'll find it in the Off-Road Lounge near the bottom of the forums page.

 

[HammerDown]

OK...sorry, I'm not one for chat rooms...if you could, give me something I could print out, and I'll go from there...thanks.

 

[Stingray6974]

Ok,
In the engine compartment, coming off the main computer harness, is a single wire with a green terminal. Attach the dwell meter pos to this terminal and ground the other. Using the 6 cylinder scale, with the engine running, you will see the mixture control solenoid dwell. It has a range of 6 to 55 degrees. 30 - 35 is ideal. The higher the number the richer the mixture. If it hits 55 degrees it will turn on the CEL and set code 45.

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Thanks Mike, I'll give that a try.

And like I said...I'm always ready to learn something new.

 

[Stingray6974]

Ray,
Find out what the dwell is and get back to me so we can work on fixing it.

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Ray,
Find out what the dwell is and get back to me so we can work on fixing it.

Mike

I'll give that a try tomorrow... a few years ago I did rebuild the Carb, and dialed in the 2 idle mixture screws, dont recall at this time how many turns out from bottom they were, but I'm sure I set them for the best possable idle on the lean side...but I'll try it tomorrow, and post it here...thanks again.
Ray.

 

[HammerDown]

Hey Mike>>>

Quick question...The only "Green Plug Wire" I could find was towards the front right (pass. side) of the Carb. Just kinda hanging there all by itself...Is that the one your refering to?

I'd sure hate to hook up my Dwell Meter to the wrong one and Fry it! Thanks...Ray.

 

[Stingray6974]

Yep, that's it.

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Did the Test>>>

Hooked up my Dwell meter to the Green plug...on a warmed up motor (no check Engine light on)...and I got a reading of 22 on the 6 Cylinder scale.

Something tells me this aint gonna be cheep!
I do notice sometimes I here that clicking sound coming from the carb??? Could I be to Lean and set off the light?

 

[HammerDown]

Hey Mike...I'm waiting for further instructions.

 

[Stingray6974]

Hi Ray,
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. If you can hear the M/C solenoid ticking it's ok. It's trying to control the mixture. 22 degrees is on the lean side. You can adjust it with the idle mixture screws. Take a reading at 2,000 rpm and when sitting at idle in gear for a few minutes.
Jump the ALDL and see what codes are stored in memory. These systems have had a problem with the purge valve creating a rich condition after warmup.

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Hey Mike>>>

I'll fatten up the idle tomorrow and check it a the rpm you suggest. But I'm not sure what you mean by>>>"Jump the ALDL and see what codes are stored in memory. These systems have had a problem with the purge valve creating a rich condition after warmup."
How would I check the Codes? Jump the ALDL...sorry fella, I'm lost here.
Now talk to me about my 468 BBC Jet Boat...and I understand...no computer stuff there!

 

[Stingray6974]

The ALDL is the diagnostic connector for the computer. It's under the ashtray in the console. There are five terminal spaces. Two of the end spaces will have a slot in the divider wall. They should be labeled A & B. Take a paper clip and jump the two terminals.With the key turned to run, but the engine not running, the "check engine" lite will start to flash. The first code will be 12. You'll see it as: flash -pause - flash - flash - long pause. It will repeat the code three times and then go on to the next code. When it flashes code 12 again it's done. Code 12 means the system is responding to self diagnostics, nothing to worry about. You're looking for code 44 or 45. Let me know if any other codes are stored.

Mike

 

[HammerDown]

Thanks Mike>>>

Its great to talk to someone who knows what there talking about and who is willing to take the time to help...
I will do as you asked...however I (may) not be able to try this until Sunday or Monday as I'm leaving on my last Boating Vacation Tomorrow.
Thanks again for all your advise...and I will be in contact again when I give your next suggestions a try...have a great weekend.
Thanks Ray.

 

[Stingray6974]

Thanks Ray. Have a good time.

Mike