New member and 1994 SE owner needs help
Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 7:32 pm
Hello, I recently acquired a 1994 Bonneville SE with about 200k miles on it. It is in great condition for it's age and miles.
I just replaced the thermostat yesterday and for me that was a big deal as I'm more of a computer geek than mechanically inclined.
Issue that i've had and continue to have is related to a hiccup while running followed by the Service Engine Soon light popping
Here's what happens: Car starts fine, runs fine, then randomly--sometimes withing 2 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes, and sometimes after several days---I'll be idle or driving down the road and the engine will sputter, rpms will fluctuate for about 30 seconds then go calm and the Service Engine light comes on and everything is smooth again. It's like the computer decides to do something, tries really hard, gives up, throws on the light and lets everything go on as normal. I turn the car off and restart and the light is off again, but then shortly does its thing again, leaves the light on, and then runs fine.
Could this be the O2 Sensor? Something else?
Also, I tried hooking it up to a couple diagnostic tools--one my brother has and at 2 difference Autozone parts stores, and none can read anything, the all just say ERROR on the screen. How else can I manually check the code? I had an old Toyota years ago that would flash a light a certain number of times telling me the code. Is that possible with this car?
Thanks in advance!
Jeff
I just replaced the thermostat yesterday and for me that was a big deal as I'm more of a computer geek than mechanically inclined.
Issue that i've had and continue to have is related to a hiccup while running followed by the Service Engine Soon light popping
Here's what happens: Car starts fine, runs fine, then randomly--sometimes withing 2 minutes, sometimes 20 minutes, and sometimes after several days---I'll be idle or driving down the road and the engine will sputter, rpms will fluctuate for about 30 seconds then go calm and the Service Engine light comes on and everything is smooth again. It's like the computer decides to do something, tries really hard, gives up, throws on the light and lets everything go on as normal. I turn the car off and restart and the light is off again, but then shortly does its thing again, leaves the light on, and then runs fine.
Could this be the O2 Sensor? Something else?
Also, I tried hooking it up to a couple diagnostic tools--one my brother has and at 2 difference Autozone parts stores, and none can read anything, the all just say ERROR on the screen. How else can I manually check the code? I had an old Toyota years ago that would flash a light a certain number of times telling me the code. Is that possible with this car?
Thanks in advance!
Jeff