Check engine light and no heat

dali · Post by **dali** » 03 Feb 2005, 08:11

Any way to turn off the check engine light on a 96 850 ? Methinks it is a false positive and want if off to see if it will come back on. Would Pep Boys or AutoZone have the necessary scanner to read the trouble codes or is that a dealer only thing? Also, getting poor heat, some, but not warm and the temp gauge barely moves from the bottom of the range, unless car is at idle, and then only goes about 1/3 up? Per good mechanic, thermostat is fine but sensor was corroded. Mechanic cleaned sensor, should I replace?

Post by **matthew1** » 03 Feb 2005, 10:55

Any way to turn off the check engine light on a 96 850 ? Methinks it is a false positive and want if off to see if it will come back on.

Yes. You can turn it off. But the diagnostic cycle runs a few times a week (? I really don't know the frequency, but I know there's such thing as a 'drive cycle' and that happens in less than one week and xx number of miles) meaning your Check Engine light isn't staying on becuase it was set once, but rather is staying on because it's getting re- set every cycle.

What did the mechanic do to determine it wasn't the t-stat?

I haven't replaced my sensor but that would probably be a good step if yours is corroded.

dali · Post by **dali** » 03 Feb 2005, 11:31

Temp tested the thermostat, worked ok, cleaned and liberally coated the sensor with dialectric grease, but it didn't seen to change anything. The mechanic probably got good heat because he ran it at idle (didn't drive it) and if left @ idle the temp needle will creep up and the heat improves. But you can drive it @ highway speed for an hour and the needle won't budge and the heat won't happen. Wasn't too concerned until the engine light came on and it started to hesitate @ idle. Two problems might be completeely unrelated. I neglected to mention that the timing belt was replaced on the same trip to the mechanic (this was two weeks ago)

Post by **dugitman** » 03 Feb 2005, 13:24

that sounds too much like the thermostat not to check it again and replace with a new one. it's only $8. Course if you are sure of your mechanic.....

dali · Post by **dali** » 03 Feb 2005, 14:33

and probably have him replace the thermo and the ETC for good measure. Any chance that it's the heater core. I hope it not the core cause i'm cheap, but that has come up. Hoping he finds a cheap cause for the engine light

dali · Post by **dali** » 04 Feb 2005, 08:01

Replaced the thermostat. Code read was for low coolant temp. Thermo stuck wide open. Engine light off and I have heat.

Post by **dugitman** » 04 Feb 2005, 15:38

Dali...tried to pm you but didn't work. i'm indianapolis-east-new palestine area. if near, what mechanic do u use? i use my brother-in-law (IndyTire) in Carmel but need someone for any complicated problems beyond our capabilities(most lol).

my email
[email protected]

thx,
Doug