Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) "Check Engine" Light

[Dave MacArthur]

I just got home from doing an engine gunking. I did get a fair bit of water on the engine. On the way home it ran fine for about 8 minutes and then as I pulled into the neighborhood and was driving about 15 mph the Check Engine Light came on. Then the tach went to zero even though the engine was still running. A few seconds later the tach jumped up to normal again. A few seconds later the same thing happened. I do think I noticed a slight miss a couple of times. After that it was perfectly fine except that the light is still on. I took it back out on the highway and gave it a good working. It runs as smooth and strong as ever. The only bomb I have is an Edge Comp box hooked up like an EZ (pump wire still loose). I've had the Comp several months. I did try turning off the Comp box for the first time earlier today and then turned it back on. I don't think that has anything to do with it though. Did I temporarily short a connection with the water? Isn't there a procedure to see what code is set using the dash lights? Will the light reset itself or do I need to know what code is set first?



Any info would be great.



Thanks,



Dave.

 

[Motorhead]

You probably got some water in a connector. Get some dielectric grease at the auto parts store and goop the sensor connectors. especially get the connectors that hook up to the EZ.

Dis-connect your batteries for an hour and the code should clear.

 

[Dave MacArthur]

Good News!



After starting it for the second time today the light was off. It must have been a one time fault (due to a short) and so the ECM or PCM reset the light. I have a question about dielectric grease. If it doesn't conduct electricity how is the connection made that you want to make? In other words, if I coat a connector with the grease, doesn't the grease insulate the leads on the connector so that they don't make the proper contact? Or is the gap too small or the grease layer too thin to stop the electrical flow that you want to make?



Thanks for the info,



Dave.

 

[Motorhead]

It just keeps the connections clean and shields against moisture.

The rest is just MAGIC!!! Chris