anybody know tricks accessing gm diagnostic codes

[sawman]

 daughter in germany 2001 pontiac grand am service lite staying on. having trouble finding someone over there to look at it.
I know on my 03 dodge pu i can turn ignition on three times repetively and code dis[lays on odometer.
Just wondering if anyone has had similar exp with gm

[GareyD]

If the car runs OK then the light is to remind you of scheduled service and can be turned off by unhooking the battery for a while....if the light is on because of a fault and/or the car is not running right then you will need to get a code reader....I picked up one at one of the discount auto supplies for about $30

The above applies to pre 98 GM's...not sure if it will work on 2001

[Dana]

I don;t know if it works on an 01 but you used to be able to put a paper clip in two of theterminals on the diagnostic plug and have it flash the code(s) on the dash. Short of that why not Fed-Ex her a computerized code reader they are pretty resonable now. (under a $100.00 ) at Auto Zone, Car Quest etc.

[chet]

All GM vehicles after 1996 need an OBD II code reader to access codes. One of these readers can be picked up on Ebay or local auto parts store rather cheaply.

[sawman]

thanks for the quick replies. looks like may be getting a code reader

[Coon]

There is a simple way to get rid of the service engine light.  Listen up.

1.  Shut ignition completely off and leave off for atleast 30 seconds.
2.  Turn on key to acc position.
3. Press the accelerator to the floor and let it go.  Do this three times.
4. Start the car.

This should work as it resets the computer. ;) ;)
Brad.

[chet]

Coon,
Dat still don't fix da problem dat turned da light on in da first place.   :-\

[moosehunter]

Chet is right,
If the light is on on a '96 or newer car.... it is broke. Period. Unhooking the battery will only make it harder for a mechanic to find the problem.
mh

[jon12345]

My '96 grand prix was broke too except for shortly after I unhooked the battery   :D  now its fixed in a junkyard  :

[Coon]

There is at times a point in time that all you need to do is to reset your computer as the service light will sometimes come on.  My uncle had this problem with his 2002 Chev Z-71.  The local GM dealer showed us this.  They try this first on all vehicles.  Then, if the light still comes on then they read the code.  This for some reason is all that they needed to do to my uncles truck.  It went out and he has never had a problem with it since.
Brad.

[jon12345]

Not sure how much driving is done around Germany, but if odometer is around an increment of 5 or 10,000 miles it may just be a 'reminder' light   ???

[Captain]

Coon, you are describing the procedure for resetting the oil life monitor.  This will not clear diagnostic trouble codes or a service engine soon light.

Chet and Rebo are right, get a code reader.  When you do, give me the code and we'll go from there.

Captain

[sawman]

 daughter is associated with military, sil is in the army.
They took it to one place on post but what they had wouldn't work on 2001?
I did give her this website and told her to keep her eye on this topic. She  should be checking in on us.
She did finally get ahold of some dealer off post that should be able to check it for her.
Thanks to all for their replies and suggestions. They are appreciated.