QuestionI bent two of my rims on my 96 sebring convertible so m car sat for two weeks. We got the rims cheacked and I went to start my car. When I started my car it was fine. I pulled out of the drive way and I noticed I did not have any gaudges. Like my gas,tach.,rpm,heat. My car was also stuck in first gear. Where the odometer is it said no bus. So I came home and parked my car. When I went to start my car the gaudes worked but the cheack engine light was on. What could this be.
thank you
AnswerHi Shayla,
There is some sort of malfunction that has been detected by the engine control computer. The most useful thing to do would be to try to get the fault codes that are likely stored in the engine controller memory to readout. Try using the ignition key: turn it "on-off-on-off-on" and leave it "on" (doing this quickly, no longer than 5 seconds). Then watch the 'check engine' light to begin flashing, then pause, flashing, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause and keep track of the numbers. Repeat the readout and verify the counts are correct. Then group them in pairs in the order that they came out, thus forming two digit numbers. You may notice that the pause is shorter between the digits of a given number, and longer between the numbers themselves. Then send me a 'follow-up' question telling me the results of your readout. By the way, 55 will be the last number (two groups of 5 flashes each) and that is the code for "end of readout".
I have the troubleshooting manual for the engines and we can look up the possibilities of what is wrong based upon what fault codes you show. But tell me which engine is in your Sebring.
There is also an essay on fault codes at the site:
http://www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html
which gives the meaning of the code numbers. But then you need to get specific info for what exactly might be the diagnostic tests or parts to replace to complete the repair.
Roland
