Heres the symptoms, got a diagnosis?

[JusFlyinBy]

I started my car yesterday morning, the Service Engine Soon light came on for a little, then started flashing. Im thinking, great, another misfiring problem. I shut the car off, start it again, and the light comes on again, but this time stays solid. Heres some of the things I know are wrong with the car, but would any of these things actually cause an SES light?

- Ive been driving the car for about a year on a crappy fuel pump that will make the car oscillate at certain rpms because it cant pump enough fuel.

- My car pings on 87 gas, but not on 89. (Maybe you know why?)

- I have a pretty noticeable valve tick when the car is cold. Its still there when its warm, but much quieter.

- My tranny has had very hard shifts for a year now but Im not sure if a tranny will trigger the SES light.

I have a feeling its a whole other problem... :(

Oh yea... 97 Bird A4

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

well if your fuel pump is weak some cylenders may have missfired on start up from lack of fuel. that would set the flashing ses light.
try priming the fuel pump 2 times then starting it.

the ticking sounds like you have bad lifter. ( i have my stock ones still 87K no noise from them 15 + shipping

im not sure about the A4 tranny so i can't help you there, i do know it and the TC can both cuase SES light....

when was the last time you replace your fuel filter

[1DangerousV6]

i would just do both...i just replaced my fuel filter...shoulda seen the sludge in that sh*t lol ...about the tranny...i had this problem too...a rough 1-2 shift due to the TCC valve after the tranny got warm...it does make the light come on...will give you a message about a component slipping or something like that...had it fixed for like $350 a couple years ago and its been smooth since [img]smile.gif[/img]

[JusFlyinBy]

Well, the light went away. As far as the filter goes, Ive changed it twice, and the second time I changed it, it was spotless. In fact, it was spotless the first time I changed it too. I do let the pump prime twice, that is the only way I can start the car. Its getting to the point where I have to do it 3 times to avoid excessive cranking. I dont have a bad 1-2 shift when the car warms up. Just the tranny shifts bad, into every gear, cold or not. Thanks for the offer viper, but I dont have the time, nor skill to do the lifters myself. So yea, light decided to go away, I'll see what happens. Thanks.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Originally posted by JusFlyinBy:
Well, the light went away. As far as the filter goes, Ive changed it twice, and the second time I changed it, it was spotless. In fact, it was spotless the first time I changed it too. I do let the pump prime twice, that is the only way I can start the car. Its getting to the point where I have to do it 3 times to avoid excessive cranking. I dont have a bad 1-2 shift when the car warms up. Just the tranny shifts bad, into every gear, cold or not. Thanks for the offer viper, but I dont have the time, nor skill to do the lifters myself. So yea, light decided to go away, I'll see what happens. Thanks.

umm do a fuel psi test, it could be your FPR, going out, that will cause a hard start also

[JusFlyinBy]

I had a pressure test done. First prime, 14 psi, 2nd prime, 26 psi, 3rd prime like 35 psi, and 4th prime its actually up to where its supposed to be. What is an FPR? What throws me off a bit, is that sometimes, it seems like everytime my father gets in my car, he will flick the key and it will immediatley start in one crank with no prior priming the pump a few times. Weird eh? Thanks for the help.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Originally posted by JusFlyinBy:
I had a pressure test done. First prime, 14 psi, 2nd prime, 26 psi, 3rd prime like 35 psi, and 4th prime its actually up to where its supposed to be. What is an FPR? What throws me off a bit, is that sometimes, it seems like everytime my father gets in my car, he will flick the key and it will immediatley start in one crank with no prior priming the pump a few times. Weird eh? Thanks for the help.

umm theres somthing wrong it should hit at least 40 psi on the first prime!!!!< mine hits 42 and stays there.
FPR = fuel pressure regulator.

i would start with that and hope its not the fuel pump

[ka50]

seafoam

[JusFlyinBy]

Originally posted by viper04af:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by JusFlyinBy:
I had a pressure test done. First prime, 14 psi, 2nd prime, 26 psi, 3rd prime like 35 psi, and 4th prime its actually up to where its supposed to be. What is an FPR? What throws me off a bit, is that sometimes, it seems like everytime my father gets in my car, he will flick the key and it will immediatley start in one crank with no prior priming the pump a few times. Weird eh? Thanks for the help.

umm theres somthing wrong it should hit at least 40 psi on the first prime!!!!&lt; mine hits 42 and stays there.
FPR = fuel pressure regulator.

i would start with that and hope its not the fuel pump </font>[/QUOTE]Oh, I thought it was obvious it was the fuel pump because of that. I didn't realize that the FPR would allow the pressure to build up slowly. Any idea what these cost and am I in for a lot of work? I already know what im in for if I have to change the fuel pump, ive done the research :( .