Service engine soon light

[REDSLED]

I have a stock 97 GTS that has 10K miles on it. Well I'm going for a drive around town and all of a sudden I look down and see the "service engine soon light" on. What does this mean? Any thoughts, ideas, etc. before I take it to my dealer (not very Viper savvy) and fork out another $200 deductable. I just had it at the dealer earlier this week for a window regulator problem.
Thanks-Jonathan

 

[Snake Bitten]

What code(s) set the light? Can you run up to an Auto Zone or Pep Boys and get them to read the code(s) for you?

And you should really call Summit Racing and pick up an EQUUS 3100 Code Reader for around $125...if they are out of stock, they can Fed Ex it from the manufacturer for a nominal fee...super easy to read and clear codes, and the 3100 is around $250 locally, so it was a great deal through Summit...

 

[picflight]

The codes will tell you what is wrong. If you can have a shop or someone who has the manual read the codes you can fix it yourself depending on what it is.

Check the connectors on throttle sensors and other connectors, O2 sensor and so forth.

Good luck.

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

Two most common reasons for the light to go on are:
1. You didn't get the gas cap on super tight and the vapor sensor triggered the serv. engine light. Safety issue taken too far in my estimation, but the single most common reason the darn light comes on. Earlier GTSs' are alot more touchy than the more current models.
2. Oxygen sensor is bad.

Check all your fluids, watch your gauges for any abnormalities, and if everything is fine , it might reset. Otherwise take it in to a dealer and have it looked at. I wouldn't recommend the Summit Diagnostic System, as I believe the Viper system is more complex, and I believe it has been tried at Viper Days events with limited success. Get the code read correctly or you could spend alot more fixing possible misdiagnosis's.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

Last september I washed the engine compartment. The next day I took the car out to get an inspection sticker. On the way to the dealer to check engine light went on, had them run the codes. It showed that the clutch relay switch was bad. No parts in stock and refused to put a sticker on the car. I had a feeling it was related to the water from washing the car. Sure enough, when I cashed out and started the car. Light was out, never to reappear.

 

[1TONY1]

Someone may chime in and say if a 97 is the same as a 96.....turn your ignition to the on position three times and leave it on the third time.
From off go to on - off -on - off - on and leave on. See how many times your ck engine light flashes...it will be a two digit # ie 55 is the end of the test I think. Also I think any code reader will work fine if this does not work like a 96. I have one ordered from Harbor Freight to reset codes with if needed. Post back what code you get and I will look it up in the manual.

 

[REDSLED]

Ok here's what I did. I made sure the gas cap was on tight (it was) I then turned the key to start (not starting the engine) and then back to off 3 x's. The lite went off and hasn't come back. I restarted the engine once (no light). I turned the engine off and restarted again and still no light. Maybe it was a computer hiccup or something? It's ironic (that the engine light came on ) as I took the car to a muffler shop to get an estimate on how much it would cost to run straight pipes (sound isn't really an issue as the car is on the track about 95% of the time) from the stock cat to the back and I wondered if a service engine/check engine light would come on if I indeed do the exhaust set up. The light usually comes on with 2000 and above cars right?
-Jonathan

 

[Steve Miehe]

I'm with Bill P. Check the gas cap.

 

[1TONY1]

Redsled, I am curious if the 97 works like the 96 in self displaying the codes. Is this how you did it: from off go to on..off..on..off..on...leave the switch on this last time and the check engine light will go off after a second or two then it will flash two digit codes a few seconds ater that. Even if there are no codes it will flash the end of test code..55....I think.

 

[Jack B]

Thats the way a 97 works

 

[REDSLED]

My "service engine soon" light is back!

I've done the whole 0n-off-on-off-on and nothing flashes. I guess I'll try making sure the gas cap is tight. Perhaps the 02 sensor is going bad? My local Dodge dealer is not to Viper friendly so can I replace the sensor myself? I'll check my manual to see where the thing is located first.

-Jonathan

 

[BruceW]

You've got 4 O2 sensors. One on each side before the cat and one on each side behind the cat.

 

[GTSTF]

My service engine lite came on today, too. my gas cap is on tight. i tried the on-off bit - nothing doing. i know it has to do with the O2 sensors and the headers from TNT. i'm getting kinda tired of taking the car to my mechanic to reset the codes. is the Equus 3100 from Summit a good investment?

 

[luc]

why spend so much money for a code reader?

I paid $40 for mine (harbor freight) and this thing work great and can also clear them.

Luc.