Car starter \ Service engine light.

[Nitro187]

I got a buddy of mine to install my car starter for me. Before then, I've never seen the service engine light on in my car... ever.

After he installed it, it was on! He reset the switch, but after he turns the car on a second time (whether it be remote start, or a real start) it turns back on.

I had a friend of mine who has a computer to hook up to the car, from Snapon tools, and it showed nothing wrong, saying "Car is OK to drive" But why is the light on then? What could he have done, that caused it to work good, but do this?

Not only does the Check engine light stay on, but the car runs rough at about 1200 - 1500 RPM... but ONLY when the check engine light is off. When we reset the codes, it works PERFECTLY until we turn it off, and start it again (which then activates the check engine light)

Any ideas?? Thanks a bunch! (I would hate to have to take the starter\alarm out, just to see if it still does it, I hope you guys can give some assistance to help me fix this problem.)

[ponchonutty]

What year G-am? When you are talking about starting and shutting it off are you talking about with the remote starter or key? If you are saying it is fine with the key but not the remote start, it is obviously not installed right. Some years of G-ams have more than one ignition and accessory wires which all need to be energised. If not, it really messes up the car big time. I know on some GM vehicles you can lose a tranny!

If the car is doing this with the key too, maybe he either cut a wire like the tachometer wire or something is grounding out. I can't be much help with out seeing it.

[Markgase2000]

there was 3 main ign fuses for my 2000 grand am , i had one loose and it would shut down all electrical in the car even when i was driving the lil bastard. when i discovered the problem it was the easiest thing to fix , after all that looking and scratching my head for 2 weeks and one day i was frustrated and started pulling fuses with the key on and door chime ringing and it was a loose one i wiggled that stoped the door chime.

If your throttle position sensor or any of the wire harnesses around the throttle body are not connected properly it will idle 1200 - 3000 rpms cus your computers thinking "what the hell is going on i cant tell if im breathing or how much , it will also cause a clunk in gear shifting or engagement of throttle for a reason i dont know , maybe a sensor for the lbsconverter line pressure or something. sorry im so blah blah blah.

[Nitro187]

Actually, i found the problem. The guy who installed it, put the wire for the tach + on the wrong wire.... :rollseyes:

It's working now. thanks for your help!