Service engine light

[3400 Z26]

I'd be interested in seeing what this turns out to be... The Z26 does this quite regularly, and I'm too cheap currently to take it to the shop....

Mike
3400 Z26
2.8 Buick Regal

[bszopi]

Mine does the same thing every now and again, but I'm pretty sure mine is because I don't have an EGR hooked up...

[Guest]

well i'll get it fixed when i get paid cuz my money is all wrapped up in the new frickin engine..that was 3500 for the short block...i just hoped that a new engine would solve that problem...i hate the stupid as$ light because it is really bright and takes away from the neon lights in my interior

[SCREECH]

Any 3rd gen engine management setup doesn't have the diagnostic wire going to the ALDL connector, therefore you can't pull the codes as described. It must be read via a scan tool.

Brandon, what bszopi is saying is true, however, that doesn't mean that you have to take it to the dealer, or even purchase an expensive scan tool. I'm currently investigating the many options available online for making your own scanner cables to hook up to a laptop and using free software to pull codes and info from the OBD-I, OBD-II and hybrid computers, using the serial data terminal (M) which you have on the bottom right of your connector.

There's free software available, and several different sites that post schematics and part lists for the cables required to connect a serial port (on a laptop or desktop computer, if you've got one in your garage - I will soon!) to the ALDL connector, whether it's 12 or 16 terminal version. The following site seems to have quite a bit of info, and even offers the cables ready made (might be good for you to get this solved a little quicker):

http://www.akmcables.com/aldl.htm

[Guest]

i dont know what ur supposed to click on...its just a jumbled mess

[Guest]

http://www.akmcables.com/aldl.htm>>to jumbled

[SCREECH]

Well, it does take a fair amount of read-through, that's for sure. I'm still in the learning stage when it comes to this stuff. If you stop by the guy's main page (http://www.akmcables.com/) you can buy the cables and download the software needed to do the scanning on several different computers I believe. I still have to look through his site more. It was just one of the better ones I found as it wasn't focused primarily on the Aussie cars like a lot of the ECM programming pages are.

[bszopi]

Those cables still won't work on the FLASH based PCMs.

[SCREECH]

Those cables still won't work on the FLASH based PCMs.

Why not? Is not the "M" terminal (bottom right on an OBD-I style connector), the "serial data terminal", used for pulling the info from the computer??

[Jake]

My GA with 3100 had similar problems. It was traced to carbon build up in the EGR passages. The dealer removed and cleaned carbon out. I was advised this is a problem with 3100. Did you use your old intake etc. on your new engine?

[Guest]

yeah the engine i got was just a shortblock and i just had a professional deal with it
he just checked everything and i guess he concluded that it must have been ok because he put it back on(intake and all)...but i tried the autozone thing to get my diagnostics checked and he did'nt have the hybrid connector so i figure i can go to the dealer to get it checked but i'm afraid when i get the bill i would've been better off just bending over and taking it like a man

[Jake]

Amen to that brother, I throw a fit everytime service engine lights up, the dealers got you by your short and curly hairs. The computer scan advised that I had to replace the EGR valve (very expensive part) or the ECU (more expensive part). Turned out to be carbon in the intake passages. I have had it happen 3 times in the past 90,000 miles. Good luck.

Jake

[Bryan1970]

Just an FYI but some 94 models also have the hybrid ALDL connector because my 94 cutlass has that style connector. Your right they are a big pain in the butt

[Guest]

man i hate how GM sets up these cars so you gotta use the specialty tools to get your stuff fixed..i'm all but sure there is a conspiracy between car manufacturers and the specialty tool industry. I just hate how i ask people and every one gives me different feedback