Help! Check Engine Light

[dogfish246]

;help
Hello all,

I just got my 1996 LT1 Corvette about a month ago and it is GREAT!!! Everything is in excelent working condition with 67k on the odometer!

For some reason the "Check Engine" Light came on today when I went cruising around town. It came on about 5-10 min of driving. Everything sounds and feels normal for what I can see. I checked the digital gauges and all the temps were normal.

Do any of you have any suggestions to help me out?

Thanks!


Also, can you get your diagnostics in the car, or do you have to buy a reader?

 

[jmccloud]

Check engine light

Welcome to a great site. And congrat's on your 'new to you' Corvette.

Yes, you can access the codes using the keys on the DIC = Driver's Information Center (like the Eng/Met, fuel, trip, etc.) I don't recall the procedure but you can find it by using the 'search' tab above. Look for 'DTC' or Diagnostic Trouble Codes. A reader might be handy anyway because you can reset codes with it. A decent reader costs <$100 but a true scanner costs many $100. Some codes like ABS must be reset (cleared) from the dash or with a more expensive reader.
The '96 is a true OBD II= On Board Diagnostic vehicle so disconnecting the battery will not clear DTC's.
And another thing you will be reminded of many times here is to buy a set of Helms FSM = Factory Service Manuals. For your year there is a set of two red books and they cost from ~$75 to $135 depending on whether you can find a good used set or buy new from Helms (they have a web site). Avoid the single volume white book as it is a preliminary, outdated issue.
Other manuals are a waste of money in my opinion but the Chiltons has a more easliy understood organization, albeit slim in overal content.
Again, congratulations and come back often.

 

[Boeingdriver]

;help
Hello all,

I just got my 1996 LT1 Corvette about a month ago and it is GREAT!!! Everything is in excelent working condition with 67k on the odometer!

For some reason the "Check Engine" Light came on today when I went cruising around town. It came on about 5-10 min of driving. Everything sounds and feels normal for what I can see. I checked the digital gauges and all the temps were normal.

Do any of you have any suggestions to help me out?

Fish....When outside conditions are cold, my '96 LT4 "Check Engine" light winks on at me once in awhile....particularly if I'm just taking it very easy. Once I step up just a little, no more light. As long as it (your car)is running smoothly and all fluids and temps. are normal, I'd drive it a little and enjoy having the car. You might have an O2 sensor drifting in and out of spec. due to stale fuel or to the ambient temperature. Congrats. on the car. You'll find a crowd of very knowledgeable LT1 & 4 owners here. I expect LT4man will be along shortly with other comments about this situation.

 

[vetteoz]

Also, can you get your diagnostics in the car, or do you have to buy a reader?

DigitalCorvettes.com - C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 and C6 Corvette Corvette headquarters!

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Welcome to the confusing world of all that is C4! If you plan on keeping the car awhile, an OBD II scanner and Factory manuals are pretty much essential, even if someone else does the work. At least you'll know what they're talking about (and if they're FOS). A "check engine" light could be a simple as an after market sound system or something that might strand you miles away from home! Always a good idea to check codes.

 

[Hib Halverson]

You cannot read ECM fault codes from the IP display on a 96. Whereas you could do that on 90-95s, you can't on a 96 because OBD2 codes are four digits and the display can only show two.

To read ECM codes from a 96, you need a scan tester or scan test software such as EASE.

 

[dogfish246]

Thank You Everyone

Thanks for all the imput. I bought a nice scanner that will tell me everything so I can find the problem. I will let yoyu know what it is!

 

[dogfish246]

Thank You Everyone

Oh yeah, I have the 2 huge red shop books for the car! One for the engine and tranny, and the other for everything else! Got them for Christmas.

 

[LT4man]

Hib and I are very proud of you for acquiring the FSMs for Christmas. They are invaluable!

Once you hook up your scanner, let us know the code. You will be on the right track.

SAVE THE GOSH DARN !

 

[dogfish246]

I got the Scanner

The code is P0420.

I erased it from the computer and took her out for a ride. The light did not come back on yet.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

Oh yeah, I have the 2 huge red shop books for the car! One for the engine and tranny, and the other for everything else! Got them for Christmas.

You should kiss whoever gave you those FSM's for Christmas! There's someone who knows what men like!!

 

[dogfish246]

Yeah, haha

My parents got me the books, and a bunch more Corvette stuff!

Check it out on my ride page: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3207355

 

[doublefoxed]

Check the downstream o2 sensor on bank 1. Those are heated sensors
and they go bad and give this code. Other things that can trip this sensor
to show below catalyst efficeincy is a coolant temp sensor that is out of range. Last but not least can be a bad converter.

 

[LT4man]

The code is P0420.

I erased it from the computer and took her out for a ride. The light did not come back on yet.

Check out this web page and explanation: OBD-II Trouble Code: P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

This should help you!

SAVE THE !