Non-quattro. The check engine light comes on after the accelertor is pressed past a certain angle as you accelerate. Any ideas? My mechanic says everything is fine and to just ignore it.

you may have a fault code stored. Do you know how to initiate the codes? If not, let us know...

Using crappy gas? Your engine could be retarding due to low octane fuel which would cause the check engine light to come on. What octane fuel are you using?

Steve Ankney
88 5000
Holland, MI

Stephen,

Im using premium and have always done so. I try my best to get Chevron whenever I can.

I haven't checked for codes personally, but the mechanic that I go to says (I forget) either there is no code or the code leads to something that isn't broken or a problem. Can this be checked at home?

Perhaps I can elaborate more on when the light comes on. It only turns on while driving above 40mph and only if the accelerator is pressed to accelerate. Once speed has been gained, the light turns off, regaurdless of what angle the accerator is at. So if Im on the freeway going 80, the light would not be on even though the accerator is almost to the floor.

Thanks for your help,

Brian

Does it 'feel' different acceleration-wise? I would ask the mechanic to specifically tell you what the code is, that will help us help you.

If not, dump the codes yourself and let us know. The Vulcan mind meld is no longer required to transfer the knowledge to you ;o)

_He_ may _think_ it's unrelated, but does he drive an Audi?

Nah, didn't think so...

-Steve Jensen
87 5kcstq
87 5kcstqw

Its an automatic. It rarely ever drops down a gear even if I floor it. I used to, but not anymore. Getting the codes out is not on my list of abilities, but Im willing to learn : )

B

Hi Steve , How does one check for error codes or get the error codes?
I would appreciate your help if you told how to get the codes.thanks

Okay, to dump the codes, first you need beer. ;)

Once you have beer, take the car for a spirited drive of a more than a few minutes and get the rpms over 3000 (doing this from memory, don't have the Bentley in front of me). Go back home, leave the engine running, pop the hood. Remove the fusebox cover and look for the only relay with a fuse socket in it. Take a _spare_ fuse out of your toolbox and insert it into the fuse socket in the relay for a minimum of 4 seconds, then remove it.

Get into the car and note the check engine light is now flashing in a pattern. Write down the groups of flashes as they occur (ex. 4444 is no codes found, it will flash 1-2-3-4 pause 1-2-3-4 pause 1-2-3-4 pause 1-2-3-4 then big pause to separate). It will continue to flash until you turn the car off.

If the car is in a non-running state, crank the car for 15 seconds (I think) then leave the ignition ON without turning off. Place the fuse in the same socket for 4 secs, then dump the codes.

Post the codes you get and folks with a Bentley will decode them for you.

Oh yeah, if you have a 1986 model it ouputs the codes via the tachometer needle pointing to a number, but I've never done it so...

Remember, dumping codes will not tell you everything (i.e. vaccuum leaks, etc.), but it is a good starting point.

HTH!

-Steve Jensen
87 5kcstq
87 5kcstqw

Tried it today. Its pretty easy! Came up with 2144. Hopefully, it will be something I can fix myself. Let me know what it means :)

Thanks,
Brian

2121=idle switch stuck closed or prob. in wiring to switch.
2122=Hall sender
2123=Full throttle switch
2141=knock regulation (exceeds the ability to retard knock)
2142=knock sensor (defective or wiring fault)

Can you check again?

-Steve Jensen
87 5kcstq
87 5kcstqw

I knew it wasn't going to be that easy! What I got was a long pause. One long flash. Then another long pause. Then 2144 and the cycle repeated. I'll try again on the weekend. Thanks, Steve, for your help :)

2144
Knock Sensor #2, (Cylinders 3, 4, 5)
1989-91 200TQ, 1989-91 200T, with dual knock sensor MC engine,
Open or short circuit,
Defective sensor or wiring
Symptom: Timing retarded, High fuel consumption, power loss, Boost pressure not attained

That would explain why it accelerates better when I don't floor it. Gas mileage has always been around 18mpg avg. though :(