Hello,
I am trying to figure out a few things to have my Vette running in smooth condition w/o that annoying eye soar which is Service Engine Soon. The car runs just fine(it seems)but the light came on about a month ago and I don't know how to diagnose the problem. I know there is some sort of mechanism underneath the dashboard on the drivers side and it will give you a code of why the Service Engine light is on. But I haven't the slightest clue how to use it. I don't really want to pay $100 bucks or more for someone to run a diagnostic screen on it to tell me to change an o2 sensor or something. If you can help with this that would be great.

I'm also having an issue when I turn my steering wheel. Yes I have power steering fluid in the car. If you turn the wheel to far to either side it will make a screeching sound which I have identified where it is coming from. The screeching sound is coming from a pulley on the serpentine system that is underneath my alternator and a/c compressor but is above the harmonic balancer. I don't know what this pulley is? Any ideas or suggestions?

I've been trying to find a diagram of the front end of a regular stocked LT1 to a C4 corvette but I can't find one online anywhere so I can figure out what this pulley is. Now my serpentine belt is a little eaten away and I'm not sure if maybe this could be a reason for the problem? I know I need a new belt but I don't know if that will fix the screeching problem. Help with both of the issues would be really helpful. Once I fix these things the car will be for sale offically. It's listed on Cars.com for now. 92 corvette near Columbia, SC $5500 OBO for those that are interested. Thanks for any and all help!

 

The pulley you're talking about is the power steering pump. The belt change will probably fix the screeching. You really shouldn't leave the steering at lock right or left, that stresses the pump,hoses and ,yes,the belt!
The thing you,re looking for under the dash is the ALDL(assembly line data link) You can buy a cheap code reader or you can get a manual that will tell you what pins to jumper and what the resulting code determined by counting the flashes of the "check engine" light means. The code reader will come with all that info. Have you disconnected the battery for a few minutes? That will reset many of the codes,if the "service" light comes back on,then you surely have a problem. You might also turn the key on without starting the engine and press the gas pedal 3 times in 5 seconds or less,that might reset the oil change time,I'm not sure about vettes,it works on a lot of GM cars. Good Luck!
Ron

 

I figured that's what it was but I was unsure. I don't leave the steering locked in a turning position only when I am actually turning does it sometimes make the sound. I also completely replaced the battery today and The battery was off the car for around 2 hours which I would have thought would have reset the codes??
One thing that happened when I drove home tonight.....I was at a stop light and all of a sudden my car just shut off. It started about 10 seconds later. The car has a fairly new (1yr old)optispark module, newly replaced bosche platinum spark plugs, waterpump,Msd plug wires. Does this sound like an o2 problem or emissions problem? That optispark was a pain in the you know what to change. Hope it's not that. I know I need to check the codes! Let me know what u think.
Also is there a manual online that shows how to check the codes with jumping the prongs under the dash? Thanks for ur help!

 

This site will help. Read all aspects & you shud have no trouble pulling the codes (s).

http://www.corvettephotographs.com/c4vettes/index.htm

For the oil change light.........

http://www.idavette.net/

 

The belt may be part of the problem. A lot of times the belt tensioner spring will either be broke or weak. On top of the tensioner, there is an indicator mark on the tensioner and mount. If the mark is between the indicators, then the belt is the right one and the tensioner is most likely good. Check engine will require the DTC (Diagnostic trouble Code) for some sort of diagnostic and as partsman said they do make a cheap code reader to flash your code(s).

 

You are already way past what I know about anything newer than an 84. If the SES light is still on after the battery being out for two hours you have a problem that is probably not going away by itself.
I kinda don't think a quick shutoff and then a restart in 10 seconds is emissions. As I understand it emission troubles will put you in "limp home" mode but they won't shut you down.
Hang in there!
Ron

 

I think you should check the wirings.

 

Get rid of those platinum plugs. The pucks will fall off causing problems down the road.