By KJ on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 12:25 pm: Edit

CRAP! I think I know what I did (I read back in the archives), I didn't screw the gas cap on properly. That was yesterday, and today as I sat in the bank drive up line the Service Engine Soon light came on. I called my dealership and got my radio code in case disconnecting the battery cables really is the answer. Resetting the gas cap did nothing. Turning the truck on and off does nothing. I read something about resetting the light via a switch under the passenger's seat, but is that true of a 2001 Disco? (I'll have a look and see if I can figure it out) I prayed to both Bosch and Lord Lucas, figured it couldn't hurt, might help. No dice. Of course the sales guide suggested I drive over an hour to have the service techs reset the light. Before I do that, should I try the battery disconnect? If I do, how long should I leave it disconnected? Is the radio as easy to recode as the Owner's Manual suggests? While I await your wisdom I'll flog myself about a million times.....i r a idjit, i r a idjit.....

Karen

By Ron on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 12:33 pm: Edit

Karen,

Calm down. Ok.

Go to the happy place. Fields of discos and horses. . . . . .

Now, three engine temp cycles will reset an OBD II code on a DI so I am guessing that is the answer on a DII. Battery disconnect only works on the earlier trucks I think but the radio code is easy as it says (follow the instructions).

If the truck is behaving fine I would say leave until you have to go back to the dealer and hope it turns itself off. When you do go back (even if it goes off by itself) they will be able to read the "stored" code from the system and tell you what caused it.

Ron

PS I am not sure on this one as I know jack about DII OBDII but I thought I would comfort you as there are few people who check the board on Fri night.

By Danno on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 01:14 pm: Edit

how many miles? on the DII did they do away with the Check Engine light (Orange)? the Service Engine Light (Red) is the emissions deal (52.5K)on the DI's.

By KJ on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 02:43 pm: Edit

S'O.K. Ron, it's just that dorky feeling of having made another rookie mistake. Thanks for the hand-holding (G). The truck is running just fine, which I'm happy about. I'll try to tune out the damned light as best I can until I can get it gone.

Danno, it only has 1700 miles on it. I did this by not seating the fuel cap properly. The SES light is still amber colored. BTW, I had to call for my radio code as contrary to what the Owner's Manual says, they no longer issue new owners the card that lists the security codes for their new vehicle.

Karen, livin' and hopefully learnin'....

By Barry on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 07:19 pm: Edit

Hello Karen,

"I feeeeeel your pain" Two weeks ago the amber SES light went on in my 2000 DSII w/27K. Called the LR Dealer who advised the OBDII Gas Cap Theory. He said bring it in if light does not go out after three or four tanks of gas.

Tank number five...light still on as of this Tuesday. Called and set up an appointment for this comming Monday. Surprise! Light went off today. I still plan to visit dealer anyway to get that saggin' rear door aligned.

Hang in there!

Barry

By han chung on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 07:58 pm: Edit

karen,
same thing here w/ my 2000 d2. thought it was nothing since the car was running fine and tried the gas cap thing and nothing. what the heck it's still under warranty and you have nothing to loose. went to the dealer and there was a leak on the air intake by the air filter and the there was a sensor fault w/ some other gasket think they swapped which i don't remember gotta see what the invoice says... moral of the story, take it to the dealer and see what it is. ses's don't just come on because they feel like it. specially when they come on and stay on continuously. i know it's a long drive but you never know. i'd trust your warning lights.

good luck
han

By tmsltd on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 09:09 am: Edit

KJ, Where are you located? I just purchased the Autologic diagnostic system from Atlantic British. This is the aftermarket version of the dealer's Testbook. It can do almost anything the dealer's stuff can do. I am located just nw of Baltimore.
E-mail or call
410.833.2329
Trevor Griffiths
Treasured Motorcar Services

By KJ on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 12:11 pm: Edit

Han, I hear what you are saying, but I really think that I messed the thing up by not properly securing the gas cap. Having said that, the light didn't pop on until the next day, so I don't know if that works with the gas cap seating theory. Would the light have come on straight away? Does anyone know?

Trevor, thanks for the offer. I'm probably 80 miles or more south of you. I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I was getting all comfortable with the notion it was a minor thing, and now I'm getting concerned again. Truck still runs perfectly, I just don't know when a dummy light is really smarter than I think.

Karen

By Daniel on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 04:38 am: Edit

Hey Karen,
Scott Kleen has posted free OBDII scans to anyone in NOVA. He's out by Dulles (near you???). His thread is under the tech section.
Daniel

By KJ on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Hi Daniel,

Thanks! It's not that near, but then not much is to me (G). Trevor and Scott are very kind to be offering help like this. Long live DiscoWeb and the spirit it embodies!

Karen

By Daniel on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 04:12 am: Edit

Karen,
Is your light still on?
Daniel

By KJ on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 09:42 am: Edit

Daniel,

It WAS on an hour ago when I left here, but somewhere on the way home POOF! Magic.... it's off now! At least I learned to seat my gas cap out of all this.

Karen, "Ask me about my SES light!"

By Ron on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 09:46 am: Edit

Three engine temp cycles and off its goes.

Karen,
when you go to the dealer next tell them and they should be able to pull the "stored" code. If it comes back on again soon then you have a "real" problem.



Ron

By KJ on Wednesday, October 03, 2001 - 04:55 pm: Edit

Hey Ron, can you define an engine temp cycle? I read that before and I just don't really know what it means. If it's heating it up and cooling it down (driving and resting), I did that several more times than three, but maybe that's not what you mean? THANKS!

Karen