service engine soon

[jamesmartin]

Hello everyone,

I think I found a new problem for the Alero. I have a 2001 Alero, the other day I am driving down the hiway, and my door locks start to click locked, unlocked, and then the service engine soon light comes on. I noticed last night my auto lights on my dash did not come on either. Has anyone had any of these problems?

[GTP Dad]

These problems are commonly associated either with battery problems, which can include the main battery cables and terminals. You may want to remove them and clean them to see the issue improves. Also check the grounding point to the block. The other possible issue is the body control module going bad. But I would stick to the battery and the cables. Be careful when you unhook the battery as your theft lock may come on and the radio may not work. Have the unlock code available.

[vamc]

Thats true, a bad cell in the batt. can make the aultanater go bad as well. im not surprised if more lights on your dash came on.

[jamesmartin]

Well I took it to my garage and they have said something about the remote starter possibly causing a short. They would have to dig around for 3 -4 hours at 92.00 per. I think I will trade this car in this week.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[jamesmartin]

Originally Posted by GTP Dad

These problems are commonly associated either with battery problems, which can include the main battery cables and terminals. You may want to remove them and clean them to see the issue improves. Also check the grounding point to the block. The other possible issue is the body control module going bad. But I would stick to the battery and the cables. Be careful when you unhook the battery as your theft lock may come on and the radio may not work. Have the unlock code available.

How do I get the code if this does happen? I bought the car second hand.

[nqc2k]

What if he brings the car to AutoZOne and they tell him why his check engine light is on? I heard they plug a diagnositc thing into it that'll tell codes for the check engine light or something...i've never done it though.

[vamc]

Its called a code scanner, and yes autozone will do that for free. they will tell you whats wrong with it. but also, sometimes there code scanner will not pick up everything. the code scanner that they use is approx 150 bucks, the same one you can buy from there. If it cant find whats wrong with your car, bring it to the dealership, they have machines that are 15 grand, they can find just about everything.

[GMMerlin]

Originally Posted by vamc

Its called a code scanner, and yes autozone will do that for free. they will tell you whats wrong with it. but also, sometimes there code scanner will not pick up everything. the code scanner that they use is approx 150 bucks, the same one you can buy from there. If it cant find whats wrong with your car, bring it to the dealership, they have machines that are 15 grand, they can find just about everything.

The Tech 2 (GM scan tool) is 2400 dollars. It is capable of retrieving codes and information in all modules, performing snapshots of data streams, plotting infomation and reprogramming modules..all though it is an impressive tool, it doesn't tell you anything..the technician using it must be able to interpret it infomation that is displayed by the tool.
Most likely even though the SES light came on, there may not be a code stored (there is a reason)
If this was a problem with a bad connection at the battery or elsewhere, what my have happened is the PCM lost power momentarily and this caused the PCM to cycle (and the light came on).
Lack of power (less than 10 volts) will cause the vehicle to do wierd things..first thing I would check is the battery connections.

[jamesmartin]

If I do the battery check and the lock code enables, how do I get the unlock code?

[jamesmartin]

Originally Posted by GMMerlin

The Tech 2 (GM scan tool) is 2400 dollars. It is capable of retrieving codes and information in all modules, performing snapshots of data streams, plotting infomation and reprogramming modules..all though it is an impressive tool, it doesn't tell you anything..the technician using it must be able to interpret it infomation that is displayed by the tool.
Most likely even though the SES light came on, there may not be a code stored (there is a reason)
If this was a problem with a bad connection at the battery or elsewhere, what my have happened is the PCM lost power momentarily and this caused the PCM to cycle (and the light came on).
Lack of power (less than 10 volts) will cause the vehicle to do wierd things..first thing I would check is the battery connections.

Now we know,

Finally this weekend my car wouldn't start twice, after boosting the battery would drain. Took it in today and yep the battery is finished.
So a heads up, if your Service Engine light comes on and stays on it is probably something wrong with your battery.

[vamc]

A code scanner caust 150 bucks from autozone. not 2 grand.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by vamc

A code scanner caust 150 bucks from autozone. not 2 grand.

Andrew my friend, GMMerlin was refering to a Tech II scanner that the dealers have. It's much better than any code reader/scanner that you could get from Autozone. And it costs that much or more. He knows what he's talking about and is very sharp on GM cars.

If I had over 2 grand to throw away I'd get one.

[vamc]

ooooopppps. Im sorry. I know there much better. sorry about that.