Service vehicle soon light?

Tiny
DMBRO
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 90,000 MILES
Sometimes when the car is turned on many of the electrical componets won't work; like the radio, the A/C and power windows. Sometimes the service vehicle soon light will stay on, but not always. This can last from a few seconds to minutes, and sometimes clears by restarting. The car runs fine and eveything works ok when it clears. It is very intermittant and won't last long enough to check. Any ideas
Saturday, August 21st, 2010 AT 1:28 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The "service vehicle soon" light is like a check engine light. This guide will show you how

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, August 21st, 2010 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
The first thing I would check is what code's you have in the computer's it could lead you to your problem.
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Saturday, August 21st, 2010 AT 1:43 PM
Tiny
BRIDGES2012
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 180,243 MILES
I took it to advance auto to have them read the codes and the guy said I need a purge valve replaced.A day after replacing it the check engine light came on again. The code now say EGR. Though I had it replaced a year ago. My mechanic says I need to drive the car until it goes through a drive cycle!I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. WHAT DO I DO?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try cleaning out the EGR valve and see what happens-What's the exact code no. Is it P0401?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:12 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
The code should still clear if you fixed the problem the only thing the drive cycle is for is reseting the monitors egr evap cat etc. All those monitors get reset when you discount the battery clear the codes etc. What is the exact code number you have?Not the code descriptions.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIDGES2012
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Codep0404
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
What was the code you had before you changed the canister purge valve?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DJDIVINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
I have a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am 2.2L. The check engine light is on. When diagnosed it said the o2 sensor was bad post cat converter. The part was replaced and light reset but light came back on. When diagnosed again it said the o2 sensor was still bad. Is there something else that needs to be replaced?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Lets start with what the exact code number you have?Then we will go from there.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIDGES2012
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
P0466&p0404
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DJDIVINE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The codes read as follows. P0141 and P0440. There are also 2 other codes which are pending with the same code numbers
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Which engine do you have?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Your p0440 is a evap code and has nothing to do with the code P0141 I have posted the code description for P0440 below you would look for a loose gas cap or a seal on the gas cap that was cracking.A kinked or damaged canister purge solenoid or the hose to or from it a damaged vent valve or line to or from it. You might want to bring it to someone if your not familar with the evap system and it take's special tools to test them like a nitrogen cart scan tool with the correct software etc. Now for your code P0141 did you replace the o2 sensor in your exhaust manifold or the one down by your cat?I also posted the code description for code P0141.

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
The control module tests the evaporative emission (EVAP) system for a large leak. The control module monitors the fuel tank pressure (FTP) sensor signal to determine the EVAP system vacuum level. When the conditions for running are met, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge valve OPEN and the EVAP vent valve CLOSED. This allows engine vacuum to enter the EVAP system. At a calibrated time, or vacuum level, the control module commands the EVAP canister purge valve closed, sealing the system, and monitors the FTP sensor input in order to determine the EVAP system vacuum level. If the system is unable to achieve the calibrated vacuum level, or the vacuum level decreases too rapidly, this DTC sets.

The table illustrates the relationship between the ON and OFF states, and the OPEN or CLOSED states of the EVAP canister purge and vent valves.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC

* DTCs P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0116, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0125, P0452, or P0453 are not set.
* The ignition voltage is between 10-18 volts.
* The barometric pressure (BARO) is more than 75 kPa.
* The fuel level is between 15-85 percent.
* The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
* The intake air temperature (IAT) is between 4-30°C (39-86°F).
* The start-up ECT and IAT are within 9°C (16°F) of each other.
* The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is less than 121 km/h (75 mph).

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The EVAP system is not able to achieve or maintain vacuum during the diagnostic test.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS

* The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
* The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC

* The control module will turn the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) OFF during the first consecutive trip in which the diagnostic has been run and passed.
* A last test failed (current DTC) clears when the control module turns OFF the MIL.
* The history DTC will clear after the control module runs and passes 40 consecutive warm up cycles with no failure.
* The DTC can be cleared by using a scan tool.

DIAGNOSTIC AIDS

* Reviewing the Failure Records vehicle mileage since the diagnostic test last failed may help determine how often the condition that caused the DTC to be set occurs. This may assist in diagnosing the condition.
* Use the J 41413 EVAP Pressure/Purge Diagnostic Station in order to pressurize the EVAP system to aid in locating intermittent leaks. Move all EVAP components while testing with the J 41416 Ultrasonic Leak Detector.
* A temporary blockage in the EVAP canister purge valve, purge pipe, or EVAP canister could cause an intermittent condition. To repair a blockage in the EVAP system refer to Evaporative Emission (EVAP) System Cleaning.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
Heated oxygen sensors (HO2S) are used for fuel control and post catalyst monitoring. Each HO2S compares the oxygen content of the surrounding air with the oxygen content of the exhaust stream. When the vehicle is first started, the powertrain control module (PCM) operates in an Open Loop mode, ignoring the HO2S signal voltage when calculating the air-to-fuel ratio. The PCM supplies the HO2S with a reference, or bias, voltage of 450 mV. The HO2S generates a voltage within a range of 0-1000 mV, that fluctuates above and below bias voltage once in Closed Loop. A high HO2S voltage output indicates a rich fuel mixture. A low HO2S voltage output indicates a lean mixture. A heating element inside the HO2S reduces the time required for the sensor to reach operating temperature, and provide an accurate voltage signal.

The HO2S heater diagnostic runs continuously when the heater circuit is energized. The HO2S heater circuit is only energized when the engine is running or commanded ON by the scan tool. The DTC will set if the heater current is above or below a calibrated threshold for 200 seconds.

CONDITIONS FOR RUNNING THE DTC

* The ignition 1 signal is more than 10 volts.
* The engine coolant temperature (ECT) is more than 45°C (113°F).
* The airflow is less than 40 g/s.
* The engine run time is more than 60 seconds.
* The HO2S 2 voltage is between 395-495 mV.

CONDITIONS FOR SETTING THE DTC
The HO2S 2 heater current is not within the calibrated range for more than 200 seconds.

ACTION TAKEN WHEN THE DTC SETS

* The control module illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
* The control module records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the control module stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the control module records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The control module writes the operating conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

CONDITIONS FOR CLEARING THE MIL/DTC

* The control module turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
* A current DTC, Last Test Failed, clears when the diagnostic runs and passes.
* A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
* Clear the MIL and the DTC with a scan tool.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIDGES2012
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
6cylinder 3.4?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NGB5548
  • MEMBER
  • 32 POSTS
I have had this problem, and it turned out to be a leak in the intake manifold. For some reason, the car is extra sensitive and the codes for the O2 sensors kept showing up, even though the leak was very small (so small, that when I suggested it, they determined that wasn't the cause). It wasn't until my coolant had leaked out significantly (into the engine) that it was discovered. I hope this helps!
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
So you know you have a 3.4 you put a question mark after it?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WPELLERIN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 157,000 MILES
Our 2002 Grand Am has a Service Engine Soon lamp.

But does it have a Check Engine lamp also?

I couldn't find one when I inspected the console display.

We flunked emissions because the Check Engine Lamp didn't come on when commanded to.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRIDGES2012
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
I know its a 6cylinder
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SEANGRANT00
  • MECHANIC
  • 334 POSTS
Yes this car has both lights. The service engine soon light is on the left at 3500 rpm's and the service vehicle soon is around 80mph on the right side. You can check these lights by turning the ignition to run without starting it. If the ignition is on without the car started, and the light is not displaying you have another problem. Check it and let me know!
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
What is the digit of your vin number?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 7:13 PM (Merged)

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