Service engine light goes on and off

93 LeSabre Custom. My check engine light came on today. It is not on all the time. I do not have access to a tester just yet but here are a few things the car does. When the light comes on, if i accelerate it goes out. It doesnt have to be floored. Just when i accelerate. Then i can be cruising along with the cruise control on and when the light comes on the cruise stops working and the torque converter unlocks. Any ideas anyone? Thanks.

Read the codes or get them read... OBDI..

The sensors proubaly will show up then.. Im thinking the MAF sensor or the IAT sensor.. but a code read will help the focus.

Vacuum leaks may be an issue too given the symptoms..

Bass.

IIRC, the if the VSS (vehicle speed sensro) is out fo range, the cruise and TCC will not owrk.

:iagree: A vacuum leak may do th esame as well.

You need to get the code,

I realize i need to get the code but i am just trying to get some ideas what it could be. Who besides Autozone reads codes for free? The nearest Autozone for me is a two hour drive. And i cant afford to buy my own code reader. I was thinking the speed sensor too. But then again if it were the vss, would'nt the speedometer stop working? Where is it located? Thanks.

do you have a advanced close to you they do it free also..but about any parts store should do the same.

You could read your own codes..
You have a OBDI system...
It will allow you to read them without a reader.

How many miles on the car?

A VSS sensor is on the transmission just below the oil filter.
.. but you would have shifting problems and others.

Banger, MA should fix you up.
Nice town, very pretty downtown on the river.
Hope they got the streets back in shape before the weather went bad.


Good Luck

Bangor, Me. is a nice city. Especially by the river like you said Bass. Thier gonna start building a Casino next month by the river. Last year they opened a casino at the old Holiday Inn. It is way too small. The new one is gonna be way bigger and the Holiday Inn will be torn down and turned into a parking lot for the new one. The roads are still rough around here. Cars take a beating.

Going into the city in the morning. Gonna stop at Advance Auto to have them read the codes.

My car has 173,000 miles on it. The tranny shifts good and i do have od. Just no cruise or lock-up tc.

Well there has been issues with the TCC valve in the transmission leaking and allowing the TCC "chuggle" of fishbite, as they call it. You can see a bit of the discussion HERE:popcorn: (http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1/bl310.htm)

Dont take too much interest in it tho.. your symptoms are different..


Maybe they will say something like EGR.. that would be easy.

Anyway.. good luck. (http://autorepair.about.com/library/a/1/bl310.htm)

As Bass mentioned, you have OBD I and all you need is a simple paper clip to read the codes. Locate the ALDL (Assembly Line Diagnostic Lead). It is located under the driver's side dash. Insert paper clip between terminals A & B as shown below.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/3331/obdikx3.jpg
Turn key on, but do not start engine. The check engine light will begin to flash. The ECM (computer) will display a "code 12" by flashing the "service engine soon" light, indicating that the system is operating. A code 12 is simply one flash, followed by a brief pause, then two flashes in quick succession. This code will be flashed 3-times. If no other codes are stored, code 12 will flash until the diagnostic terminal ground is removed. After code 12 has flashed 3-times, the ECM will display any stored trouble codes. Each code will be flashed 3-times, then code 12 will be flashed again, indicating that the display of any stored trouble codes has been completed.
Thats all there is to it! :popcorn:

:cheers:Thanks Z. I did the self test with a paper clip. I got code 22 for the TPS.

Fixed my car today. Got a throttle body with the TPS, MAF and IAC on it for $20 at the boneyard. My light is off (No more code 22) and i have overdrive and my lockup torque convertor is working again. Plus i have spare parts now. Yee-hoo.

Great... now you have spare $$ for the new Casino?

Keep em' wheelin'

Yup, thats for sure. They just started to tear down the 30 year old Holiday Inn last week where the new casino is going in. And then work on the new casino will start in 2 weeks. The new one is going to cover 8 acres of land and will fit right in Bangor. I've seen the plans and it is a nice building for Bangor. It wont look like Vegas. It will be ready summer of '08. Till then the little one will do.