service "vehical" light question

[Draco_Americanus]

service \"vehical\" light question

Quick questions.
A coworker of mine is having a problem with Her 1999 grand am. The service "Vehical" soon light is on. I Whent out with a scan tool and find the car has not set any codes even with that light on. The car is running in closed loop and seems to drive just fine. After a bit of playing abound I discovered She also has a Service "Engine" soon light that's not on and that would explane why I did not get any codes.
My question is, What is the "service vehical soon" light for if it's not part of the diagnostic system? Is it a dummy type light remininding some one they may need to preform a tune up or other normal prevenitive maintance?
she insists it was not related to needing an oil change or low tire, if it was I am thinking the light was not reset correctly when she had her last oil change.
anyway any info would be helpfull.
Thanks

 

[fluorescent]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

I believe the Grand Am has two diag ports where you could plug in your scan tool. You were in the wrong port. The light that is on is typically due to a light being out ( daytime running light, turn signal, etc.. ) check those.

 

[V8TOYTRUCK]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

On my sisters Honda Accord it gets a indicator light like that. My friend that works at Honda says its no big deal, just gets you to the dealer so they can do an oil change + extras. IIRC, to disable it on an Accord you pump the brakes a few times and start the car.

 

[cobb]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

When I worked on chryslers they had a switch behind the glove box that you pressed. It came on after so many miles and in order to turn it off we had to just replace all teh belts, air filter, and a bunch of other stuff that can cost several hundred dollars and a days labor. Later cars we had to use the tool to do it.

 

[tequilathursday]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

On GM vehicles many have the "service vehicle" lmp and its an indicator used by the body control system, not pcm (powertrain control).
Fluorescent has it right...Most of the time it's simply a headlmp out.(Though all comunications do go through the same diagnostic connector) It could be an hvac or entertainment error code as well. These cars have a specific 'module' for each system. ie, power windows, hvac, lights , ect. They all have a seperate "computer" and if the body module sense a reconizable error in any of these systems it will illuminate the svs lamp.

If there are no obvious symtoms, light bulbs out,ect. You'll have to hook it up to a scan tool to find the reason. Many economic scan tools may only be able to read powertrain related codes (federal OBDII requirements).
The snap-on scanner/modis with current updates can access most systems as will most other 'higher end' aftermarket scan tools. If you have no access to these tools and need to find out why the light is on. Might I make a suggestion?

If you don't know anyone with this equiptment.
Pull into you friendly neighborhood GM dealer on a not so busy day and strike up a conversation with a technition. He may be able to quickly answer your questions without paying $75. an hour for a diagnostic check. If he's not too busy he may offer to run out to your car and scan it for ya. It only takes a minute and in return offer him a 5 spot for lunch or a coffee or something /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif. Just don't bug him or take too much of his time and he'd be glad to help...(most techs get paid by the job so if he's shooting the poop with someone in the parking lot, he's not making any money /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sssh.gif)


Just a tech sharring a suggestion.

 

[markdi]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

my diag connector for my 88 grand am(w41 ho quad four) is below the steering wheel at the top of the kick pannel
on my year the scan too is a paper clip shorting out two terminals in the connector then all I do is turn the key to the run position and the check engine light flashes out the codes.(on my year using the paper clip you do not start the engine with the pins shorted- car runs really bad if you do this.
the biggest concern is if your car is running really lean and you took a freeway trip you could damage the catalitic converter.(really fast melted pistons-valves)
my car sets a code that says the charcoal canistor is bad(burnt out solenoid valve)I just put a switch on the light.

an engine running really lean will smell funny
If it is running really rich then gas will dilute your oil
and can acelerate wear on the engine.
the only sensor I have replaced on my car is the oxygen sensor.
I have over 200 hp under the hood and I get 28 mpg at 80 mph.

I remanufactured the engine/transmision 4000 miles ago.
now all it needs is paint headliner weater stripping.

If it were my car and it seemed to drive just fine I would clear the eror code(pull the ecm fuse out for 2 minutes-or disconnect the positive battery cable for 2 minutes)
and see if it cones back-do you have separate air bag and antilok brake warning lights ?
a constantly on check engine light with no codes on my car indicates a posible bad computer.

the igniton control module will control the car when the computer goes bad(limp home mode)and there is a backup system in the computer too.pretty advanced for an 88 model car the computer even learns it has block learn memory)

my intieror has fewer rattles than my friends 2000 volkswagen I tightened all of the dasboard bolts and screws and the door pannels etc.(except when the stereo is up too loud-540 watts rms continious to the speakers-dual 8 inch subs)

I am not a big grand am fan but I take care of my car and it has treated me with very reliable service.
and sub 7 second 0 to 60 is not bad.

also get a haynes manual for your car not a chiltons

 

[Draco_Americanus]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

Thank you every one!

I relayed all the info to the owner of the car.
The owner of the Grand AM has informed Me that after checking The sugjested things She has found a headlight is not working correctly!
Now what concerns Me now is I thought I had a rather good scan tool, it's a Actron CD9145. I wonder if there is a software update to allow it to read "Body control systems"
This is defently frusterating. I miss the days of the "paper clip" scan tool. My old s-10 used that system.

 

[Saaby]

Re: service \"vehical\" light question

The problem is OBD-II is standard. Government said so. Well everything outside the OBD-II guidelines is fair game. That means they can program in all this extra stuff so you have to go to the dealer and pay to get it reset.