Service Engine Light- Frequent/Past Problems

[TB2k4]

the service engine light came on during my drive home tonight... im just wondering what some of the common problems you guys have had associated with this. mines at 84k miles, 2004 TB. I havent had a chance to check the codes yet- got home after store closings and just wanted to inquire. ive already replaced the thermostat and the transmission/cooling lines in the truck- looking to hear what else others have run into. I will pull the codes tomorrow morning.

 

[Wooluf1952]

There are dozens of of codes.

A guess would just be that. A guess.

No value at all.

 

[The_Roadie]

..dozens...

Dozens of dozens, even. It may be possible to do a pareto chart of statistically how many codes get reported to various forums, but it would be of absolutely no value. Like coming home to find a silent wife, glaring at you. You have to find a way to COMMUNICATE to figure out what you did wrong.

At least you didn't do like some noobs do, and report a SEL, and immediately ask "How much is this gonna cost me to fix?"

 

[TB2k4]

alright alright. i was a little panicky when i posted this- i just dont want anything major. ill post the codes in the AM- would a misfire come up with this light?

 

[Wooluf1952]

alright alright. i was a little panicky when i posted this- i just dont want anything major. ill post the codes in the AM- would a misfire come up with this light?

Yes. A miss-fire would be P030x. The x being 0 - 6, depending if it is a random miss or a specific cylinder.

 

[SBUBandit]

Like coming home to find a silent wife

The real dilemma when you find this is do you try to fix it or just enjoy

 

[Matt]

The real dilemma when you find this is do you try to fix it or just enjoy

Enjoy, but then start worrying if it's something you did!

 

[TB2k4]

the verdict is in: P1133, "heated oxygen sensor in bank 1 sensor 1 (H02S11) insufficient switching" says the print out.

additional info-
i think the engine might be eating a little bit of oil... i need to check it again today to confirm.

is it just a bad sensor? the old man jumped straight to an engine rebuild...

 

[The_Roadie]

A good O2 sensor should switch (change output up and down) from around 200mV to 900 mV (or so , not exact) 1-2 times a second. When they get old, such as over 100K miles, they get sluggish and don't wiggle up and down so quickly. $50-60 problem. Use only AC Delco sensors. Bosch have had reported trouble matching the PCM's expectations for the heater circuit resistance. Not a bad brand, just slightly incompatible with our PCM design.

A higher-end scan tool that can observe the sensor data in real time can confirm this, but if you have almost 100K miles, you might as well put in Delco 41-103 plugs at the same time. Youtube videos are available to show the O2 sensor data (not platform specific) and how to change I6 spark plugs.

 

[Mark20]

Dozens of dozens, even. It may be possible to do a pareto chart of statistically how many codes get reported to various forums, but it would be of absolutely no value. Like coming home to find a silent wife, glaring at you. You have to find a way to COMMUNICATE to figure out what you did wrong.

When you get up in the morning say, "Honey, for whatever I may do today, I am sorry; I am only a man."

Good chance just the sensor is shot, had that happen to me on another vehicle years ago.

 

[woody79]

Enjoy, but then start worrying if it's something you did!

Enjoy but sleep with one eye open

 

[TB2k4]

sent it in for an engine rebuild this week while im hitting the slopes up north.

 

[The_Roadie]

Sorry to hear it was so serious.

 

[TB2k4]

skiing is always serious business

but yeah sucks about the truck... at least i can put this behind me for many miles to come.