RE: V8 engine code

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

> I've currently got a V8 for extended test drive- whenever I start
> the car the airbag light stays on a hair longer than any other check
> lights,
> 
> ... my recollection is that the airbag light is supposed to stay on for 20
> seconds ... I wouldn't worry about it.
> 
> and the center display screen (the trip computer) flashes 30 until I hit
> one
> of the display scroll buttons.  What does this mean?
> 
It is trying to tell you that based on its computations you will need to buy
gas within the next 30 miles.  This "trip computer" problem is standard with
the older cars and is repaired by replacing the Instrument Cluster (!).
>From my up close analysis over the past couple months, I'm pretty sure that
the computer is not getting a proper signal from the fuel gauge sender ...
On my trip from Colorado to California I found that the reading for the
amount of fuel consumed was dead on, but the car would tell me that I only
had 30 miles left to go when the tank was reading half full!  Since it was a
new to me car I opted for the conservative route ... until I learned that
the gas gauge was the one telling the truth ...

I will be trying to get to the bottom of the problem with the older displays
... once I get that faulty unit out of my dash and get a good wiring
diagram.  I'm betting that taking a couple measurements with a full and
empty tank and some quick resistor changes will do the trick.  

BTW, for those of you that have a fiche reader there is a cheap and easy way
to get the factory service manual for the V8Q's here in the USA.  The part
number is W42-544-190-F1-11 for the V8 service manual, which is available
from Dyment Distribution for ~$30.  Dyment's number is 800-544-8021... the
good news is that the fiche is the small format so you won't have to read it
upside down ... :)

Vielen danken to Scott Mockry for that last tidbit!

HTH!
Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)