"Service Engine Soon" light on Duramax

Call the service dept and ask them why they didn't reset the meter

Thanks for your reply. Since my dealer is over 2 hours away and diesel fuel prices here on the west coast are outrages, is there a way I can do the reset???

You can go to Auto Zone or order a code reader setter about $40 or put tape over the light until get to service or service may be able to reset via satellite if on-star is enabled.

It is possible that a glow plug has failed, particularly if you have ever boosted the battery to get it started at some point, but the DruaMax glow plugs tend to last a lot longer than 45,000 miles. This does depend on your driving style a bit though. Constant use in the city may cause you to use more start cycles than some one who drives across the country without turning the turck off.

Another issue that crops up from time to time with serivce indicator systems is that something goes wrong in the circuit board (the rechrgable battery that keeps the system functioning when the truck is off for example).

I would suggest that you do pretty much as suggested, go back to your dealer. Just use a slighlty different focus; have a scan tool hooked up to find out what code is in the system, see if it is relevant and reset the system. If the code is nonsense or not relevant, the shop should know what to do. If the problem re-occurs after this, then it is in the electrics somewhere and it may take some time to find. Electrical problems are always difficult (How do you monitor the monitor??).

There are other issues that can crop up depending on the climate you live in and the fuel you use. It would be a good idea to talk to the service people about such issues and to search the net to find a Duramax forum that provides you with the information you need.

l'd also suggest to the dealer that the first scan be done at no charge since you have had all the requried service work done. If there are further repairs needed, then that would be your responsibility.

Just as an aside, when Izusu designed that engine for GM, the duty cycle was to be 350,000 miles, so yours is just getting nicely borken in.

Could be your fuel cap...if it isnt "clicked" a few times, it will cause a check engine light...this is common in a lot of GM products and in most vehicles nowadays...you should be able to google the sequence to follow to turn it off/reset it.

Hope this helps..

I bought my own cheap OBDII meter -- Two uses & you have paid for it vs going to the dealer. Also does not hurt to go in when you do need service with the codes already know so there is no "wool pulling" & extra work paid for. My Dakota gas cap has failed twice & after market replacements are cheaper & apparently just as good as factory stuff They are really simple to use -plug n play!

Hi,

I think you can go to Checker and use their OBDII tester for free. With one of those you can reset the codes. Take note of what is says, though, because there may be a problem that needs to be addressed.

S

Not familiar with Checker. Is it an autoparts store like Kragen or Autozone???

"Not familiar with Checker. Is it an autoparts store like Kragen or Autozone???"

Yes it is.

Checker (back east?), Kragens (in California) and Schucks (here in the northwest) are all part of one big conglomerate. Just about any auto store should have code readers.

I would recommend getting one.

Bill

9 times out of 10, a service engine soon light is emissions related. In gasoline cars, its almost always a faulty reading from the O2 sensor. Not sure if Diesels have O2 sensors or not, but its something to consider before you go replacing glow plugs. Yes you can buy an OBDII sensor, but if you're cheap like me, Autozone will read your codes free of charge (less reputable autozones will even clear the code for you).

Another thing you could try would be to remove the mass air flow sensor and blow it out...that would be good reason for the light to come on as well.

You should have your OBD checked and get the DTC codes. until this time, i suggest you not to renew any parts.

MIL light turns on due to failures in emisson systems. and there are lots of components on these systems. You can address the real root cause when you had the DTCs.

sometimes it is possible that it turns on due to temporary distrubances such as noise, vibration, magnetic field, ambient temp....etc.... In these cases, dtcs are cleared and vehicle is observed for repeated failures before renewing parts.

Any abnormality with the vehicle? like misfire, lack of power, noise, smoke etc..?