96 Sedan-Check Engine Light-CEL does not blink with the Fuse Test

[hermitress]

My CEL stays on continuously. I tried the 15A Fuse test but the CEL did not blink and it did not reset. Everything appears to be fine but would like to reset the Check Engine Light if possible.

Thanks for any help

[GM Line Rat]

1. Is the 15A Fuse still inserted into the Diagnostic fuse Socket while the car is started and driving it? If so, that fuse should only be installed into the Diagnostic fuse Socket while the Ignition switch is turned into the forward position (Car NOT Started) and checking for diagnostic trouble codes....If it is, Shut the car off, remove the fuse and put it back into the spare fuse holder in the underdash fuse box. Then restart the car and the CEL Should go out.

If the 15A Fuse is not installed into the Diagnostic fuse Socket, and the CEL Is still on all the time:

Disconnect the Pos (+) and Neg (-) Battery posts from the Battery for approx 1 min, then re-connect them. Start and drive the car until it warms up and see if the CEL Comes on again (and When). If it comes on again as soon as you start the car, try and retest to see if the CEL Light will pull codes by flashing (Inserting the 15A Fuse across the diagnotic fuse terminals). If the CEL Still stays on all the time with the 15 Amp pulled out of the Diagnostic fuse Socket, My says that you have a problem with the ECM (Engine Control Module) AKA Computer for the car in the self diagnotic circut. have the ECM Checked out at a dealer etc...OR, Find a car just like yours at a junkyard and pull the ECM Out of it and try it in your car (Disconnect Bat 1st before swaping ECM's)......Make sure the Junkyard car/ ECM Is matches yours! (Auto tran, Manual trans, Engine size etc..)

[Woodie83]

96 doesn't have a diagnostic fuse, it's OBD2 and must use a code reader. Go to AutoZone, Advance Auto, or whatever's big in your area. They'll check it free hoping that you'll buy the parts there. You can disconnect the battery or pull the taillight fuse to reset it, but you'll lose whatever information is stored in the computer and the light will just come back on a day or two later. Go get the error code, could be something simple or could be something that's going to do further damage if ignored.

[hermitress]

After I could not get the CEL to blink I did further investigation on the NET and found the same thing...ie I need to have the codes read. Though I still wonder why there is a spot for the Diagnostic fuse. Just confuses things.

Thanks for the help. I will run by tomorrow to Advanced Auto and see if they will read it for me. Will just reading it clear the CEL?

Linda

Originally Posted by Woodie83

96 doesn't have a diagnostic fuse, it's OBD2 and must use a code reader. Go to AutoZone, Advance Auto, or whatever's big in your area. They'll check it free hoping that you'll buy the parts there. You can disconnect the battery or pull the taillight fuse to reset it, but you'll lose whatever information is stored in the computer and the light will just come back on a day or two later. Go get the error code, could be something simple or could be something that's going to do further damage if ignored.

[hermitress]

Originally Posted by Woodie83

96 doesn't have a diagnostic fuse, it's OBD2 and must use a code reader. Go to AutoZone, Advance Auto, or whatever's big in your area. They'll check it free hoping that you'll buy the parts there. You can disconnect the battery or pull the taillight fuse to reset it, but you'll lose whatever information is stored in the computer and the light will just come back on a day or two later. Go get the error code, could be something simple or could be something that's going to do further damage if ignored.

Thanks, I'll run by one tomorrow and get it read. Will just reading it reset it-turn it off.

Linda

[hermitress]

Originally Posted by GM Line Rat

1. Is the 15A Fuse still inserted into the Diagnostic fuse Socket while the car is started and driving it? If so, that fuse should only be installed into the Diagnostic fuse Socket while the Ignition switch is turned into the forward position (Car NOT Started) and checking for diagnostic trouble codes....If it is, Shut the car off, remove the fuse and put it back into the spare fuse holder in the underdash fuse box. Then restart the car and the CEL Should go out.

If the 15A Fuse is not installed into the Diagnostic fuse Socket, and the CEL Is still on all the time:

Disconnect the Pos (+) and Neg (-) Battery posts from the Battery for approx 1 min, then re-connect them. Start and drive the car until it warms up and see if the CEL Comes on again (and When). If it comes on again as soon as you start the car, try and retest to see if the CEL Light will pull codes by flashing (Inserting the 15A Fuse across the diagnotic fuse terminals). If the CEL Still stays on all the time with the 15 Amp pulled out of the Diagnostic fuse Socket, My says that you have a problem with the ECM (Engine Control Module) AKA Computer for the car in the self diagnotic circut. have the ECM Checked out at a dealer etc...OR, Find a car just like yours at a junkyard and pull the ECM Out of it and try it in your car (Disconnect Bat 1st before swaping ECM's)......Make sure the Junkyard car/ ECM Is matches yours! (Auto tran, Manual trans, Engine size etc..)

I must admit that the first time I tried it I started the car thinking that was when it would blink. But I did immediately remove it so the next time I started the car it was not in the diagnostic socket. I did further research and went back out and put in the fuse and onlly turned it on-not started but still nothing.

thanks