02-18-2008, 02:20 PM
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#1
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AF Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Medina , Ohio
Posts: 33
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Check Engine light came on
Hello, my check engine light came on yesterday so i went to Auto Zone and the guy told me that my coolant level was low, or i may need a new thrermostat. How do u know if you need a new thermostat, what do i need to look for. I have a 02 Grand Prix GT with about 50,000 miles on it.
Thanks in advance guys!
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02-18-2008, 03:07 PM
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#2
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Posts: 544
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Re: Check Engine light came on
low coolant wouldnt throw a SES light, it would just make your low coolant light come on. neither would a bad T-stat.
if you needed a T-stat, your car would either run real hot, or real cold...depending on whether the T-stat is stuck open or closed.
I would have someone else hook a scanner up and see why the SES light is on. do you notice any difference in driveablilty??
__________________
as of Jan. 2009:
'97 Grand Prix sleeper SE (132K)
'98 Grand Prix GT coupe (79K)
'00 Grand Prix GTX coupe (32K)
'06 Chevy Impala SS (24K)
Car Domain webpage
proud member of Wisconsin Club Grand Prix
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02-18-2008, 03:15 PM
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#3
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AF Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Medina , Ohio
Posts: 33
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Re: Check Engine light came on
No, i havent noticed anything different at all. I noticed after i was leaving auto zone the temp gage was starting to go up, but once i started going and getting cold air back into the engine it went back down again. I might go back to auto zone and have them check the code again, some of the people there i just cant trust, it seems like they dont know anything about cars. Do u think it would just be woth spending 10 dollars on a new thermostat, and seeing how that goes?
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02-18-2008, 03:37 PM
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#4
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Posts: 544
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Re: Check Engine light came on
well, if the SES light is on...i really dont think a T-stat is gonna fix anything. if you say that the temp started rising a little, and it would make you feel safe to put a T-stat in, then go ahead. but like i said, i dont think its gonna fix the SES light.
i would just bring it back and scan the codes again. once you get a code pulled out of the system...let us know what it is. i we may be able to help you out then.
__________________
as of Jan. 2009:
'97 Grand Prix sleeper SE (132K)
'98 Grand Prix GT coupe (79K)
'00 Grand Prix GTX coupe (32K)
'06 Chevy Impala SS (24K)
Car Domain webpage
proud member of Wisconsin Club Grand Prix
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02-18-2008, 07:11 PM
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#5
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AF Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Medina , Ohio
Posts: 33
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Re: Check Engine light came on
Ok i will get back to u in a couple of days when i get it re scanned
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02-18-2008, 07:27 PM
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#6
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AF Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: warwick, Rhode Island
Posts: 12
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Re: Check Engine light came on
i had the same thing, the problem was the engine wasn't getting warm enough within a set time. I changed out the therm to a fail-safe. No more check engine light
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02-18-2008, 07:45 PM
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#7
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Posts: 544
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Re: Check Engine light came on
Quote:
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Originally Posted by phjohnso
i had the same thing, the problem was the engine wasn't getting warm enough within a set time. I changed out the therm to a fail-safe. No more check engine light
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??
Never heard of such a thing...
__________________
as of Jan. 2009:
'97 Grand Prix sleeper SE (132K)
'98 Grand Prix GT coupe (79K)
'00 Grand Prix GTX coupe (32K)
'06 Chevy Impala SS (24K)
Car Domain webpage
proud member of Wisconsin Club Grand Prix
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02-18-2008, 08:03 PM
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#8
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AF Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: warwick, Rhode Island
Posts: 12
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Re: Check Engine light came on
i think the error code was P0128 for coolant temp low - apparently the old thermostat failed in the open position so the engine didn't fry.
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02-19-2008, 05:52 AM
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#9
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parts monkey slayer
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Flint, Michigan
Posts: 9,145
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Re: Check Engine light came on
A stuck open t-stat on a GM OBD-II car will trigger a code P0128-"ECT reading below thermostat regulating temperature".
This will cause poor performance and mileage due to the PCM not going into closed loop mode. It will also cause a lack of heat due to the coolant not being allowed to come up to temp before the t-stat opens. It sounds like a new t-stat should fix your issue as long as you're not losing or low on coolant. If that's the case you could have other issues that led to the failed t-stat.
__________________
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02-19-2008, 03:37 PM
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#10
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AF Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Posts: 544
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Re: Check Engine light came on
[quote=richtazz]A stuck open t-stat on a GM OBD-II car will trigger a code P0128-"ECT reading below thermostat regulating temperature". quote]
hmm...nice thing to know. I've never heard of a T-stat throwing a SES light. learn something new everyday i suppose
__________________
as of Jan. 2009:
'97 Grand Prix sleeper SE (132K)
'98 Grand Prix GT coupe (79K)
'00 Grand Prix GTX coupe (32K)
'06 Chevy Impala SS (24K)
Car Domain webpage
proud member of Wisconsin Club Grand Prix
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