check engine light prob

[bell9440]

is there a computer that you can hook up to your ls to see why the cel is on,and flash the compter?

 

[SoonerLS]

If you go to AutoZone (or a similar auto parts store), they should be able to read the stored error codes that are triggering the CEL, quite often for free. Flashing the PCM isn't that easy; you need specialized equipment (like SCT's XCal2), and, more importantly, the PCM code to be flashed. The dealership uses a rather expensive piece of equipment to do this job.

Depending on what year your LS is, you can get an inexpensive reader to tell you what the stored codes are. If you have an '00-'02 LS, you can use a relatively inexpensive OBD-II reader (I think the one I bought was around $100), but if you have an '03-'06 LS, you need a CAN-compliant reader. AutoEnginuity's ScanTool package ( http://autoenginuity.com/ ) comes highly recommended (QuikLS uses it for data capture on his LS).

 

[bell9440]

thanks I just bought a 01 and trying to work out all the bugs.

 

[SoonerLS]

The scanner I bought was an Actron, and it worked well when I used it on my Explorer (my LS is an '04, so it's of no use for that). I bought it at AutoZone, and I want to say that it was around $100, but it's been well over a year since I bought it. It was invaluable in diagnosing the only error code the Explorer ever threw; it should work very well for what you need.

 

[bill5]

Before you go to too much trouble, you might fill up with "high test", as my dad always called it, and make sure the cap is on tight. I'm not sure if that really fixes it, but whenever mine comes on, as it's done a half dozen times over the course of 60K miles, it always goes off after the next fill-up.

or...

You can do what I did on my Isuzu Rodeo. It came on at 50K miles and I put a piece of black friction tape over it, so I couldn't see it anymore. It has 150K miles now.

 

[nc2tarheels]

^or just break the bulb off.

"i am not saying you SHOULD do this" :shifty:

 

[02lsv8sport]

If you go to AutoZone (or a similar auto parts store), they should be able to read the stored error codes that are triggering the CEL, quite often for free. Flashing the PCM isn't that easy; you need specialized equipment (like SCT's XCal2), and, more importantly, the PCM code to be flashed. The dealership uses a rather expensive piece of equipment to do this job.

Depending on what year your LS is, you can get an inexpensive reader to tell you what the stored codes are. If you have an '00-'02 LS, you can use a relatively inexpensive OBD-II reader (I think the one I bought was around $100), but if you have an '03-'06 LS, you need a CAN-compliant reader. AutoEnginuity's ScanTool package ( http://autoenginuity.com/ ) comes highly recommended (QuikLS uses it for data capture on his LS).

Equus has a hand-held code reader that is CAN-compliant that sells for $79.95. I think it is Model 3030.