Service Engine Soon Light

Tiny
DSIMONII02
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
How do I reset the service engine soon dummie light on the dash board? I found the reset button in the fuse panel, but do not know the code. Can you help?
Monday, December 22nd, 2008 AT 1:34 PM

21 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
I think you need to hook it up to a code scanner.
https://www.2carpros.com/dia/how_to_scan_trouble_codes.htm
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Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
CHRISHOLWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 147,000 MILES
2003 pontiac grand am check engine light on, obd2 reading code PO300, and bad smell coming from car
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,727 POSTS
You're going to have to describe the smell better than that. My best guess is you're smelling unburned gas because code 300 refers to a random cylinder misfire. The question now is whether too much fuel is going into the engine and the Computer is unable to correct it, or whether the computer is mistakenly commanding that much fuel.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHRISHOLWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Burning smell and pipe just past resonator is getting red hot
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,727 POSTS
WAY too much raw fuel is going into the exhaust system. Driving it like that is going to destroy the catalytic converter. That is a real expensive repair. One thing you can check for yourself is for a leaking fuel pressure regulator if it is still located on the engine. Many have been moved to the gas tank. Pull the vacuum hose off and look for wetness inside. If there is any liquid fuel, the regulator is leaking and a lot of gas is going into the engine and out the exhaust. I've only heard of that once on a Chrysler product, but it's REAL common on GMs. If that is not the cause, you'll need a scanner that can display live data to see whether the Engine Computer is commanding the extra fuel in response to incorrect sensor information or whether it's trying to reduce fuel without success.

You can also connect a fuel pressure gauge to monitor what happens when you stop the engine. Pressure should hold for many days. If it drops off quickly, suspect an injector that isn't closing properly.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
REGGIE1919
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 92,000 MILES
Engine idles rough for about 10-15 seconds after a cold start. I can hear the engine and exhaust speeding up and then back down, and the car shakes a little during the rough idle. I replaced the spark plugs a couple months ago along with the spark plug cables, put in a new air filter, and have tried different gas additives such as marvel mystery oil and seafoam. None of that has worked.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Get a free scan done at Autozone or other parts outlets and post the trouble code here.

Without understanding what is causing the CEL to come on you started replacing parts, that is akin to buying lottery and hoping that you get the correct combination. . . . . .
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOPHER3867
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I'm having the same issue. Code is multiple cylinder misfire. Have done fuel pressure regulator, fuel filter, MAP sensor, MASS air flow and air filter.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOPHER3867
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
01 Grand am 3.4l
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PHERRERA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
2003 Pontiac Grand Am 4 cyl 107301 miles

I drove my car yesterday and had no problems. It was really cold last night so I decided to let the car warm up but this morning when I went to start it the "service engine soon" light came on. When I started my car it had a slight burnt smell and then when I started driving my car hesitated when I tried to accelerate and when I came to a stop sign it would vibrate. Just now when I started it I could smell fuel and it sounds like something is rattling. What could this be?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
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Ok lets take this one step at a time. First off we need to know why that engine light came on. So I would recomend that you call and find a local parts store that does free scans and go there and have it scanned and write down the codes. They will be like P0171 etc. Meaning it will be a P with 4 numbers following. Give me that code and we will see why the engine light came on and then we can better assess the problem. You have a miss or something that is causing the engine to vibrate which is probably causing something in the exhause to rattle so lets not worry about that yet get me a code and let take it from there. Thanks for you your donation and talk to you later.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROLLINGROCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 75,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Grand Am with a 4cyl auto - over the last several weeks the car has been running like chit, I parked it downtown ran into a meeting returned 15 minutes later it wouldnt start - seemed to be a fuel issue, called for a tow, went back out 45 minutes later and it started like new.

SES light came on P0171

car runs great if it sits for 1 hour - not 59 minutes. If I attempt to start it before 1 hour I have to pump the crap out of the gas pedal to get it to start, then to keep it running same thing, after about 3 minutes it will drive normal again. BTW while it is trying to start during this process it often stops running with a 'thud' or 'clatter' very rough, once it starts I am good to go.

Replaced fuel pump, cleaned MAF sensor, replaced fuel sending unit, fuel filter, plugs, changed service stations for gas.

Nothing is working, I work downtown portland oregon and have to move the car several times for my job, its a bitch to constantly deal with this - I have seen several folks talk about MAF, PCV, O2 sensor - any advice would be appreciated.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Have you checked your coolant temp sensor yet?Have you tried lightly tapping on the mass air flow sensor with a screwdriver handle while the engine is idle to see if the engine stumbles or dies?Also have you looked for vacuum leak?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROLLINGROCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 75,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Grand Am with a 4cyl auto - over the last several weeks the car has been running like chit, I parked it downtown ran into a meeting returned 15 minutes later it wouldnt start - seemed to be a fuel issue, called for a tow, went back out 45 minutes later and it started like new.

SES light came on P0171

car runs great if it sits for 1 hour - not 59 minutes. If I attempt to start it before 1 hour I have to pump the crap out of the gas perdal to get it to start, then to keep it running same thing, after about 3 minutes it will drive normal again. BTW while it is trying to start during this process it often stops running with a 'thud' or 'clatter' very rough, once it starts good to go.

Replaced fuel pump, cleaned MAF sensor, replaced fuel sending unit, fuel filter, plugs, changed service stations for gas.

Nothing is working, I work downtown portland and have to move the car several times for my job, its a bitch to constantly deal with this - I have seen several folks talk about MAF, PCV, O2 - any advice would be appreciated.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Lean fuel condition could be caused by one of the following below:

1. Vacuum leaks

2. EGR and PCV valve.

3. Low fuel pressure.

4. Dirty fuel injectors.

5. Mass Air Flow Sensor.

6. Oxygen Sensor.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KRW19
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
I took my 2003 Grand Am GT to the shop and got it hooked up to a machine to find out what was wrong with it because my "Service Engine Soon" light came on. The code that the machine gave me was P0446 with the definition as follows:
EVAP (evaporative emission system) purge/vent solenoid circuit condition
Explanation:
The solenoids and system wiring are monitored for opens or shorts
Probable Causes:
1. Purge or vent solenoids defective
2. Check connector & Wiring
3. Fuel saturated vapor canister
4. Failed EVAP vent solenoid

My question is what can I do to fix this? What exactly could the problem be? What could cause this problem? What parts do I need to fix the problem?
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It could be all of the conditions that you already have on your inquire. It could also be a bad gasket on the gas cap or not tightening the gas gap enough sets that code. You should hear 3 clicks when you tighten the gas cap after getting gas. If i't snot the gas cap then you'll have to check it out or have a pro do it. The evap is near the gas tank so it's under the car you check.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGGT10
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 130,000 MILES
Loses some power ive had it for 3 yrs never gave it a tune up or changed any sensors check engine light came on a while ago and I put a new gas cap on the light went off lately ive been driving long distances and I give it oil changes when its due and air filters just started making noise have some ideas just need a pros advice
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
CEL/SES On

What you need to do here is have the computer scanned for OBD2 codes, there's a problem within the engine management system that caused the light to turn On, this is your starting point of diagnosis
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TISH32
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 PONTIAC GRAND AM
  • 2.0L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 209,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am. I been having it for 3 years. It has 209000 miles on it give or take a few. Recently it has been making some awful putting noises coming out of the exhaust pipe, also I have noticed fluid coming out of the pipe as well. It hasn't cut off on me, when I drove it to work every time I stopped it sounds like it is going to cut off. Also the check engine light flashes when I'm driving it, and stops once I stop at a stop sign or a street light. Would like to know what could be causing the trouble and is it expensive to fix? Also I sometimes feel like it is shaking, if that makes any since. Thank you and looking forward to hear from you.
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Wednesday, September 25th, 2019 AT 7:35 PM (Merged)

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