Hey guys, I got a question about checking engine codes on 89-91. After you stick the wires in there, are you suppose to start the car or just turn ON the car to check it? I started the car. 2 codes came on. After I removed the airflow meter plug and plug it back in, and after resetting the ECU. Both the codes were gone after I just switch the ignition to on. Judging from my observation, I dont seem to have any code because the check engine light goes out after about 3-4 sec with the wire in there. Normally when the wire isnt there, it stays on as long as the car stays in the ON position. AM I right or did i screw up somewhere and therefore not seeing hte code?

 

You should never have your car running during this.

First turn car key till idiot light come on. Does your check engine light come on(normal)?

Mine goes out sometimes with the clock...

Now take the key out and pop the hood. Place a wire into the initial set plug (single connector, green near battery) and ground it (to the - of the battery is good). Keep it grounded.

Now get back into your car and turn the key forwards till the idiot lights come on. The engine light should come on as normal, then disappear, after that, if it has codes stored, if will display them.

Hope that helps.


Joe

 

of course the codes don't come back after reseting, that's the point of reseting them. go for a 30 min drive and see if them come back.

 

Tested the codes after an hour drive home. Everything is gone. I guess doing hte codes with the car running can cause funny things. Now I learned

 

ok sorry to bring this from about a couple months ago, but the one thing im not sure of is, where would it display the codes? in the clock area? i havent had to do this before, so i want to know where to look before i do something stupid

 

www.1300cc.com has an article on how to do it

 

You probably never even had a code. When you start the engine with the wire jumpered, the ECU uses the check engine light to tell you whether or not the engine is running "closed loop".
Light off means too lean, light on means too rich, blinking light means successful closed loop.

Irv, Keith's dad

 

irv, are you sure bout this?

I've never been in the car with the wire grounded and then engine running.

If this wire is grounded, then if the engine is running, the accessory and other idle altering components dont work.

its for setting timing and idle only.

thats my understanding.