Cold Start -> SES ON -> Restart -> Fine ???

[LeiZ]

WOW Sunny! That's quite a whell of info. Thanks! I'll get it read and go from there! Thanks!

Originally Posted by sunny5280

The computer will store the code(s) in memory even if the SEL is no longer illuminated. Thus you should be able to use an OBD-II scanner to read them after the SEL is no longer illuminated.



The computer will eventually purge a stored code (assuming the condition which set the SEL is no longer being detected) upon a given number of "trips". Some codes will clear in 40 "trips" while others in 80. A trip is, essentially, what it sounds like: An off-start-on-off cycle of the engine. Basically normal driving. It goes something like this:

1. Computer detects one of the monitored systems has fallen out of specification, sets the SEL, and stores the code in memory.
2. The computer continues to monitor the affected system. If the condition which set the SEL falls back into spec the computer may clear the SEL. Typically there needs to be a couple of consecutive trips where the monitored system remains with spec before the computer will clear the SEL.
3. If the SEL is cleared the computer will retain the error code in memory for a predetermined number of trips. This allows you to read the fault code even if the condition which set the SEL falls back into spec. After the predetermined number of trips the computer will purge the code at which time there is no way to retrieve it.
4. An OBD-II scanner can clear the codes which results in the SEL being cleared. However if the condition which resulted in the initial setting of the SEL remains or falls out of spec the process starts over again.

The best thing you can do to troubleshoot an SEL is to get the code(s) read. The code(s) will give you an idea of where to begin your troubleshooting efforts.

Good luck.