How can a mechanic pull codes if the CHECK ENGINE light isn't on????
08-24-01, 04:02 PM
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How can a mechanic pull codes if the CHECK ENGINE light isn't on????
I have a 90 RX-7 that failed emmisions... (running very rich) The mechanic did a test, and on the bill it says I have codes 11,12,18. Those are TPS, narrow AND full range, and an air temp sensor.
How can he get those codes and my check engine light doesn't come on???
Also- The TPS tests fine, (I think), I can get 1V from the green/red wire, and the other pins have voltage/continuity, with resistance in the specified range, and a smooth sweep.
Whats going on? Are they trying to screw me with parts??
Anyone know where the engine air thermo sensor is?
Thanks for you help guys....
How can he get those codes and my check engine light doesn't come on???
Also- The TPS tests fine, (I think), I can get 1V from the green/red wire, and the other pins have voltage/continuity, with resistance in the specified range, and a smooth sweep.
Whats going on? Are they trying to screw me with parts??
Anyone know where the engine air thermo sensor is?
Thanks for you help guys....
08-24-01, 04:33 PM
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your intake air thermo sensor is located right underneath the dynamic chamber. so if you're standing in front of the driver's side fender looking at the engine, it will be on the right corner about 2-3 inches above your fuel lines. only picture i've found comes from a 88 and those are not the same as the 89-91's. the IATS has 2 prongs kind of like a regular household plug.
also the mechanic can pull codes because your ECU stores them - the CE light doesn't have to be on. you need to reset your codes by disconnecting the negative terminal of your battery for at least 10 mins. that way when you pull codes again you will know the codes are recent rather than having be stored before you fixed your TPS or IATS and then still saying they are still out of order.
you can pull codes yourself by inserting a 6-inch wire (or unraveling a paper clip) and shoving one end into the green check plug (located near your leading coils) and shoving the other end to the body frame for grounding. do a search on "paper clip trick" and you will find detailed instructions.
good luck
also the mechanic can pull codes because your ECU stores them - the CE light doesn't have to be on. you need to reset your codes by disconnecting the negative terminal of your battery for at least 10 mins. that way when you pull codes again you will know the codes are recent rather than having be stored before you fixed your TPS or IATS and then still saying they are still out of order.
you can pull codes yourself by inserting a 6-inch wire (or unraveling a paper clip) and shoving one end into the green check plug (located near your leading coils) and shoving the other end to the body frame for grounding. do a search on "paper clip trick" and you will find detailed instructions.
good luck
09-01-01, 11:44 PM
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now i remember they lost all the postings made in June and July due to the database failure, that was when i saw the paper clip trick.
ok, this is what you have to do. there is a GREEN plug on the driver's side of the engine compartment, and it is connected to the leading coil. if there are 2 green plugs, look for the smaller one.
stick a paper clip (bent straight) so that it's touching the metal inside the plug, and then hook the paper clip around a bolt or other frame metal so that it's grounded.
turn your ignition to "on", which means u dont start ur engine. ur check engine light will go off, and then when it comes back on u can count the number of flashes. it will flash 1 second-long flashes for the first digit of the error code, and flash 1/2 second-long flashes for the second digit of the code.
for example, if you had error code 15 it would flash one 1-second flash, and 5 1/2-second flashes ( =, - - - - -). if you had error code 22 it would flash 2 1-second flashes and 2 1/2-second flashes (= =, - -).
if u have multiple codes they will flash one right after the other, and it will repeat over and over again so u can count correctly.
hard to understand until u do it then u will figure it out quickly.
ok, this is what you have to do. there is a GREEN plug on the driver's side of the engine compartment, and it is connected to the leading coil. if there are 2 green plugs, look for the smaller one.
stick a paper clip (bent straight) so that it's touching the metal inside the plug, and then hook the paper clip around a bolt or other frame metal so that it's grounded.
turn your ignition to "on", which means u dont start ur engine. ur check engine light will go off, and then when it comes back on u can count the number of flashes. it will flash 1 second-long flashes for the first digit of the error code, and flash 1/2 second-long flashes for the second digit of the code.
for example, if you had error code 15 it would flash one 1-second flash, and 5 1/2-second flashes ( =, - - - - -). if you had error code 22 it would flash 2 1-second flashes and 2 1/2-second flashes (= =, - -).
if u have multiple codes they will flash one right after the other, and it will repeat over and over again so u can count correctly.
hard to understand until u do it then u will figure it out quickly.
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