SES light.....yes, it's common

[ArticRider]

My SES light came on and stayed on when I started up my car the other day. It was fine when I drove it to lab and parked it in the parking lot. When I came out and started it, the light just stayed on. No clue what it is of course. The car handles fine...I don't notice anything different in power or handling...gauges are nominal. It was raining heavily that day, but it shouldn't make a difference. I drive my car every other day or every 2~3 days sometimes. Just sits outside in Florida weather. My SES light has never come on before. It's a 2001. I'm thinking possibly cheap gas? Kinda late for the light to be coming on since I filled up over a week ago. I did use my AC in the heavy rain, cause, well, I didn't want to get wet with the windows down [img]smile.gif[/img] . I haven't used my AC in a while. But that shouldn't have been it either. My light came on AFTER I parked the car and came out like 2 hours later when the rain stopped & cleared up. So I'm clueless. I haven't had time to check it out yet either, but I'll probably look at the fuel cap tomorrow and under the hood. Only other thing I can think of is 02 sensors. If I can't figure it out tomorrow, I will take it to Autozone to scan for codes...at least I think there is an Autozone around this town. Anybody have a similar experience...aw hell, you probably do...it's the SES light! ;)

[WishIHad$$$]

Take it to AutoZone and have them scan. I had some weird case where they couldn't find anything, and essentially nothing was wrong with the car. After trying many different things and being frustrated, I disconnected the negative battery cable for over 24 hours to reset the PCM, and it hasn't come one since.

[img]smile.gif[/img]

[camaro2495]

mine does that too, a buddy of mine said a lot af gm's do it often after 100,000 miles to just remind you to keep it tuned up.

[ArticRider]

Erh... mine only has about 30,000 or so miles on it. I have some time to take it to autozone tomorrow morning. I'll report back then.

[ArticRider]

Well, took it to autozone and the code came up with something about fuel pressure. I talked to the autozone guy and we both agreed it was probably just chitty gas. So, he cleared it. I figure if it doesn't come back on, then that was it. And I think that is it...been drivin' it for a couple of days now and the light hasn't come back on. Electronic systems are flaky. But oh well. The funny thing is, GM probably would have charged me anywhere from $40 to $60 to accomplish the same thing I had for free at Autozone. :rolleyes:

[MustangEater8251]

actually woudl ahve been ~$87.50 I believe fore comptuer check and diagnostic on a car at the dealer.

[ArticRider]

:eek: ~$87.50...hot dang!!!

Guess that's how they make their $$$.

[2002V6Firebird]

Same thing just happened to me. SES light came on out of the blue.

I searched the archives and found a few mentions on gas caps not being on correctly. Guess what? I checked mine and it was not on right. Took it off, put it back on and the SES light went out. Go figure!

[speedracer95v6]

My light comes on after i go to above 55mph then slow down...and it does it just sometimes. I went to autozone and they couldnt get a code. Kinda wierd. Runs fine though.

[ArticRider]

Well, my light came back on as soon as I filled it up with gas. Coincidence? Or chitty gas again? I am leaning towards coincidence this time. 4 hours later, drove back home and went to my local Autozone to have the code scanned. Now it's saying something with emissions. So I'm inclined to think 02 sensors maybe? I didn't notice a drop in power or any difference in the handling or performance of the car. It's at about 30,000 some odd miles. Do the 02 sensors malfunction that early? Anyways, I think I'll see if I can drive it off 'til the next tank of gas and then I'll probably take it in to GM. I have an extended warranty anyways. Just hope whatever the problem is goes above the deductable that I think is tied up to it. I don't like the dealerships in general(well, some, not all of them)...some very shady mechanics sometimes.

[saved1]

I would check the gas cap again.

[Dan Vincent]

Evaporative emissions code generally means that your gas cap isn't on tightly enough.

[ArticRider]

I checked the gas cap right after the liht came on when I was at the gas station... I'll check it again, gotta refuel soon anyways.

[bradoneill]

Speedracer95v6,
my 95 camaro does the same thing when I let off the gas while still in gear. I took it to autozone and they could not get a code either. Weird huh? Stupid computers. I hate that SES light.

[camaroincal]

Ya all these sensors and crap are a good thing I guess, but man they are a PITA as well...