YACT- 1989 Chevy Berreta w. a "Service Engine Soon" light on...

[Nutdotnet]

My buddy bought an 89 Chevy Beretta yesterday for $300 (and the damn thing runs pretty good.)

Problem, the tags are expired and so it needs new registration and needs to pass emissions.

Now, from the way it runs it should pass emmisions no problem, BUT it has the "Service Engine Soon" light on. It's an automatic fail if the light is on during the test.

So my buddy needs to get it fixed, but for cheap. I know he can take it to a mechanic but he is really trying to avoid putting a lot of money in to the vehicle. Other than the typical maintence and any repairs that may arise down the road.

I see GM ODB-I code readers which could pull the codes, but how does one go about resetting the computer to turn off the light? I'd like to reset the computer to see if the light will come back on again.

Thanks!

 

[Nutdotnet]

???

 

[amdskip]

Take it to auto zone and the should be able to tell you what it means.

 

[NorthRiver]

Found this:



Did you know that if you have a blown fuse it could cause a "check engine" or "service engine soon" light to come on? Advanced technology in vehicles monitor several different systems, an electric air pump fuse failure will cause a "check engine" light to appear, simply replace the fuse and the computer "check engine" will reset in 3 engine run cycles



Check it out.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: NorthRiver
Found this:



Did you know that if you have a blown fuse it could cause a "check engine" or "service engine soon" light to come on? Advanced technology in vehicles monitor several different systems, an electric air pump fuse failure will cause a "check engine" light to appear, simply replace the fuse and the computer "check engine" will reset in 3 engine run cycles



Check it out.

Thanks! Yeah, I think we're going to mess around with it tonight.

 

[Colt45]

just open up the dash and cut off and/or break the check engine light 😉

 

[Quixfire]

OBD-I systems only turn the light on when a fault is present. I would pull the code(s) and post them, we could help you more after you do that.

 

[LordMorpheus]

Originally posted by: Colt45
just open up the dash and cut off and/or break the check engine light 😉

wire clippers = your friend!

 

[shekondar]

An '89? You may be able to read the codes by shorting two of the pins on the connector (under the dash) - I think it's pins 1 and 2 (but not sure)...this will make the check engine light flash the code.
To reset the computer, just disconnect the battery for a few minutes...

 

[Analog]

'89 - should just be able to short one of the pins to ground. Then put the ignition in 'start', and read the code out. There are many places on the net that can tell you which pin to short, and what the codes mean.