1999 Pontiac Montana - Service Engine Soon Light at 79,000 miles

[AndrewMcHorney]

Hello

I have a 1999 Pontiac Montana with about 79,000 miles on it. The service engine light just came on. This has never happened before. I am going to check the gas cap tonight when I get home. Is there a way that the common folk can find out the code and what the code means without spending $90 for a 10 minute job at a repair shop?

Andrew

[atxchip]

Originally Posted by AndrewMcHorney

Hello

I have a 1999 Pontiac Montana with about 79,000 miles on it. The service engine light just came on. This has never happened before. I am going to check the gas cap tonight when I get home. Is there a way that the common folk can find out the code and what the code means without spending $90 for a 10 minute job at a repair shop?

Andrew

Andrew - Hi, yeah gimme the good days when you could just short two pins on the connector and count the flashes on your "check engine" light!

But nowadays, readers to extract the OBD 2 codes are in the $100 and up range, although I saw a nifty Auto Xray brand one on sale at djvmerchandise . com - look for SKU AXR700 - only about $60. Also, you can do a Google search for "OBD2 reader" and see some other options!

Good luck!

[AndrewMcHorney]

Well I know it is not the gas cap. I made sure it was nice and tight. I am getting a code read from www.carmd.com and it should be here today or tomorrow before I take it to the shop.

The vehicle seems to be running a litle rough which would rule out the transmission.

I

[chris_eitniear]

Autozone will usually do a code scan for free. Some other auto parts stores might, as well.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by chris_eitniear

Autozone will usually do a code scan for free. Some other auto parts stores might, as well.

EXACTLY! You beat me to it When I first read the posts, that's the first thing I thought of that maybe the poster didn't realize they could get the codes scanned for free at many parts stores like Autozone. That way they could save some money on having to go out and buy a scan tool,( unless you're serious about auto repair then something like this can come in handy.) Once you get the codes, usually the personnel at the store can further elaborate what they mean, and suggest parts/repair info,OR you can come here and post what code(s) were pulled and utilize the help that's available here.

[rkvons]

My 1998 Montanna had its service engine soon light come on around the same amount of mileage. I took it to Autozone. They scanned it and it came up "random misfire". I changed the spark plugs and had them clear the code for me but it happened again. Then my brother turned me onto Chevron Techron injector cleaner. I did the double treatment (one container with 12 gallons followed by one container with 12 gallons) once a year since then and have never had the service engine soon light come on again. Don't be fooled by other brandes. Chevron has a special patented formulation! Keep that in mind.