Service Engine Soon Light

[molliesunflower]

I am having a problem with keeping my "service engine soon" light off. I have a 1996 chevy lumina with 225,200 miles on it. I would like to keep the old girl around until 250,000. It runs just fine. I am trying to show my adult children that it is not just about the looks. It is about pure economics - no payment and low insurance.
The real problem is that my inspection runs out at the end of August 2006 and the new emission law will not allow it to pass with the light on. I just had some work done on it and the mechanic tuned it up and the light went off - for about 2 hours and has been back on ever since. Is there a way to get the light off so it passes inspection?

Thanks...

[cadgear]

Hey hey, I see nothing wrong with how the Lumina looks. In fact, I'm pretty fond of mine, and all I've done is throw the 9C3 hubcaps on it.

Anyhow, you can run to Autozone/Advanced Auto/Whoever and they'll pull the code for you, let you know what it is. I've known people to run up to said place, clear the code, and immediately go get their emissions done - doesn't solve anything but it gets them by. Grab the code and post it here, along with any info on how the car is behaving. 225, I'm impressed. My Cutlass I had was 200 at selling, I sure hope my 1999 makes it to 200, good times will be had by all.

[ACEMAN8822]

Dont disconnect battery to try clearing codes because inspection computer will say not ready and fail test.Then make you come back in a few days.

[kevinb70]

if you pull the battery you are going to wipe out the ecm, it will take a while adn a bit of driving for the computer to relearn and in the meantime it will probably NOT pass inspection. AND yes pull the trouble code and post it!

[jeffcoslacker]

I had a steady SES light for months until one day I had it pushed up around 90 mph for a couple of miles, and the light turned off. It stayed out for about 6 months, then came back, so I tried the hard run again, and it cleared it.

For the next couple of years this repeated, light comes on every six months or so, drive it hard, light goes out. I have only replaced the plugs since, but the light has not appeared since then. (except for one time, unrelated fault)

My wife's Ford turned on the SES a while back, and just for grins I took it out and drove it like I stole it for a few miles, and it went out, and hasn't been seen since.

I don't think they should auto fail for an SES on, as there are several things it can indicate that have nothing to do with emissions. But the majority of SES issues are (emissions related).

[bk220y]

i've had major issues with the ses light, but i do know that if you clear the code one place then take it for inspection, the inspection place will know you cleared the codes, they are required in new york state to connect it to the comp, the comp shows a history, like your browser, only you can't erase it, batt no good either, you can't break the light, the comp will still fail you, i managed to fix my problem. best bet is to find out where the problem is and try to fix it. have the shop scan the code. if its something small then fix it, if not... well you decide, cheap fixs include vechicle speed sensor for stuttering/slow acceleration/ and or flashin service engine soon light, tranny oil is a cheap fix too, fliud reccommended to be changed every 30000-50000 miles, most people don't do it, thats why engines fail. i could go on and on... i do however agree with the drving it like its stolen fix, that works, sometimes, but if its a tranny problem that just won't work. hope this helps.