DreamCatcher

Hello all,

I was driving down the highway today, and suddenly, my SES (Service Engine Soon) light came on.

I used the method outlined in the following website to find out the trouble code:
http://vbxmaxima.8m.com/ecu.html (Found it thru the sticky)

It involves counting the number of long and short pulses of the SES.

My SES gave me 2 long pulse, and 13 short ones; therefore, trouble code is 0213.

Then I went to the ECU Decoder, but to my disappointment, they don't have "13" in the "Short Pulse" drop down box. A quick Google search tells me it has something to do with the EVAP, but I am not trusting it as yet.

I was wondering if anyone could kindly help me out and tell me what this trouble code means, and if it is safe to drive the car around.

The car does not seem to show any problems- runs just as good as before.

Thanks a lot for helping out a n00b.


EDIT: Also, my SES light keeps on blinking the code. I tried to reset it based on the instructions, but it doesn't seem to work. Any ideas?

rm4628

If your driving a 95 - 99 hanes manual say that 0213 is for a small leak in evap system. As for engine light make sure ecu is out of dia. mode and disconnect battery for a while. HOPE THIS HELPS.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

What year? Check my sig, I've been putting together a better decoder site over the past few days.

The one in the stickies is completely generic, and frankly outdated and a very...inefficient setup.

So far I've got 1995, 1996, and 1997 specific codes and diagnosis info from the respective FSMs.

DreamCatcher

It's a 99 SE. I looked around and it seems that 0213 is a EVAP small leak. Being the dumb@ss that I am, I don't have a good idea of what exactly could be wrong. The EVAP system is large, and I don't know where to check.

People have usually had success by re-tightening the fuel tank cap. Let me see if that works.

I just hope that this isn't something serious, because I am still driving the car around.

rm4628

not that serious but ckeck all hoses first, its going to be like finding a needle in a hay stack ,get an evap scamatic and go to work. If you cant find leack you may have to take to shop ma be a component also , Im having the same problem F***IN CALI EMMISIONS IWANT TO RIP ALL THIS S*** OUT

DreamCatcher

Anyone else have any idea of what the code is, and what steps can be taken? Thanks guys.

DreamCatcher

Sorry to bump this thread up, but I could really use some more suggestions on how to deal with the issue. Please help a newbie out!!

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

Have you checked the FSM for the description and trouble diagnosis of the code?

DreamCatcher

No, I do not have access to the service manual, I can imagine it being really helpful at this time... but I don't have one.

pmohr

iTrader: (26)

See sig.

DreamCatcher

Thanks for the FSMs- it definitely helped me get a better idea of whats wrong! But it seems as if this is the most dreaded trouble code- there are a crapload of things to check, half of which requires expertise starting from page EC449.....

I guess I will just reset the light and pray that it doesn't come on, this looks like an expensive repair..

DreamCatcher

Hey guys, in order to get rid of the SES light, I disconnected the negative terminal of my battery for 1hr. When it plugged it back in and started the car, the SES light was still on- I was wondering if I did something wrong.

I am not able to reset the SES using the diagnostic screw- I probably damaged it or something.

I went to Advanced Auto Parts, and they said that they can get me the code, but they cannot erase it due to "Liability issues".

Any other ideas, short of investing in a code reader?