My SES light just came on UPDATED!!

[youngcamarokid]

UPDATE in last post

Okay, I was going up a hill in first gear, I went up to 2800 so I could shift into second w/o losing too much speed (my 1-2 shift sticks, I need a short throw).

BAM! The SES light comes on....it's very bizarre, I don't have any idea what's wrong...I know I need to get it scanned but I want to know anybody has any ideas first.

thanks, I'll answer anything to give more information.

[ May 08, 2003: Message edited by: youngcamarokid ]</p>

[CanadianCamaro]

Did the light stay on? and how was the car performing up to now?

[youngcamarokid]

The light stayed on, and I just started the car again and it's still staying on.

The car seemed to perform pretty well, only the last tank of gas I got 108 miles!!!

I think that's because the radiator fluid was totally messed or something.

I have flushed the coolant now, and i'm getter better gas milleage.

When I bought it, it had an oil change, and then it needed 3 quarts a couple weeks later!!

I dunno....my dad and I are going to take a look at it.

Isn't the SES light only related towards emissions?

[camarofan]

When I bought it, it had an oil change, and then it needed 3 quarts a couple weeks later!!

[camarofan]

When I bought it, it had an oil change, and then it needed 3 quarts a couple weeks later!!

oops, sorry for the double post. If it needed 3 qts. of oil in that short of a span, I wouldn't drive the car or run it anywhere, there is something seriously wrong. Check the drain plug and oil filter first thing, sometimes the rubber gasket can stay attatched to the block during an oil change and the filter won't seal because of 2 gaskets. Normally when that happens the oil just pours out and you'd have nothing in that time. Your car holds about 4.5-4.75 qts, way too much to chance on not knowing what it is. No puddles under the car? Smoking?

SES light has more to do than just emissions, if you can find someone to scan it without moving the car go that route, if not tow. Losing that much oil though, a visual inspection should be rather simple. Any other work been performed other than the oil change? One other question, what was "totally messed up" with the coolant? That could be a major sign right there. Was it milky looking or pastey?
[ May 06, 2003: Message edited by: camarofan ]

[ May 06, 2003: Message edited by: camarofan ]</p>

[youngcamarokid]

Okay here's the thing....I just went out with my dad and we checked it out. After I noticed the oil low the first time, I filled it up. Now it's really low again!!! hardly makes a mark on the stick!!!! ARGH!!

Okay, so we know it's leaking oil. Is it leaking it on the ground? NO!

Funny thing is, when I started the car again after checking the oil and taking off the radiator cap (checking fluid) the light didn't come on. Hmm....

My dad and I will fill it up with oil tomorrow.

Can someone please list everything that could be wrong causing it to eat this much oil?? All i can think of is head gasket, and I pray it isn't that. Notice that on my previous tank of gas, before the radiator flush, I got 108 miles to the tank!!!! HIDEOUS!

I don't visibly see any signs of burning oil in the exhaust. The exhaust smells the same as the Mustang and the f-250.

[camarofan]

Not sure what to tell you, losing 3 qts of oil in a matter of 3 weeks and not having any puddles after it has been parked is odd. Don't drive it until you find out for sure what the problem is, even without the light on. Have you been able to make a definite determination there is not oil in the coolant? Oil spray in the engine compartment, on the underside of the car? if not it has to be something internal, that much oil loss is going to leave it's mark somewhere visibly.

[youngcamarokid]

K there isn't any in the compartment, none on the underside....i'm really confused...I don't think there's any in the coolant, I'll try and check. I'll suction some into a bucket and try to tell....hold that thought I'll be back in a bit.

[youngcamarokid]

Okay I just checked, and the fluid is crystal clear :(

So yeah, I'm VERY stumped...there are no visible marks anywhere. I really hope i'm not burning oil...but I don't know where else it could go!

[camarofan]

You've got me completely stumped. Hear any lifters tapping or weird noises from the engine? Oil has limited areas to leaving the engine. Coolant, Exhaust, and gaskets/block. With no puddles beneath, smoke or coolant contamination I'm not sure which route you should go. First step would be having someone check the SES light, that should give a good indication. Then possibly a compression test on all cylinders depending on the code thrown.

[Wolfy]

there was a year or two in our cars that hve faulty dipstick either holder or the actuall dip stick, i know it was discused recently, try to search for it,
i would say change the oil, and check it like every 10 min, drive around and let it sit, drive it around and let it sit, and check it, to see if you can actualy see if it is burnin oil, good luck

[youngcamarokid]

Alright guys, got my car scanned....it was $77.50 to scan!!!

It was the fan control relay. I recently wired a fan switch....grrr...parents aren't happy!!

Mechanic wants $96 to fix....gm parts direct says $3.73

Local Chevy dealer wants $10.07 for the relay, and with shipping GM parts direct is $11 plus change.

I'm going to install it myself...grrrr!

[youngcamarokid]

Oh yeah, we changed the oil also, so now we know where the full mark on the dipstick actually is. It's right where it should be....

i'm still wondering where all that stinkin' oil is going though.

[SlimJim1284]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by youngcamarokid:
[QB]Alright guys, got my car scanned....it was $77.50 to scan!!!
QB]<hr></blockquote>

That sux dude.