"Check Engine" Light 83 Omni

[Volvit]

Sceanario -

Rebuilt my carb runs better, need to adjust idle a bit yet.
Changed oil and filter, used 10w30 and an STP.
Power washed the engine bay to make it a little nicer to work on.

Now my Engine Light pulses dim and sometimes stays on bright. It only seems to do it when the engine is at operating temperature. Could the power washing have knocked a wire lose, or am I using to heavy of an oil? It doesn't over heat and from what I can tell the oil is good as well. Is it just a fluke?

Thanks,
-C

[moparfwdsleeper]

how does it run now that it was washed?

[1983Rampage]

First I would double check the engine connections, I know that I had my check engine light coming on and my knock sensor was loose. I would check those wires then double check and make sure there is no water in some of the wiring.

[Volvit]

It runs the same if not better than before I had washed it. The only difference now is the intial start in the morning. I think the idle needs to be messed with since I rebuilt the carb, what wasn't working prob is now. Also not sure if this is related I went from getting 24 mpg to 18 mpg. I think my next step is replacing the o2 sensor and installing the missing preheat hose, which might help the morning commute. The light comes on and off, never stays on consistently for more than 10 minutes, so it leads me to a loose wire. Could it be a water temp sensor or oil temp sensor?

[1983Rampage]

which cluster do you have? The Ralley or the other. Does it have 3 large circles, or 1 large and 4 small? Because you should be able to see the water temp there, because that would be an engine overheating problem.

[Volvit]

1 large and 4 small. Speedo, Clock, Gas, Volts, and the Check Engine Circle

[1983Rampage]

hmm, then it could be a an over heating problem. I would double check fluids and make sure you coolant is full and see if your fan connections are properly hooked up.

[Volvit]

way ahead of you. all is full and hooked up right. it's just weird all this is happening now even though it drove Flawless two week prior

[1983Rampage]

hmm, next I would start saying sensors. I am trying to remember what sensors were on the Carb cars, I would suspect either a bad wire or a faulty sensor next.

[Volvit]

yeah, im gonna work on it a little more when i have a chance. I ordered an oxy sensor today because I think that is what is killing my mpg, but that prob won't fix the light being that the o2 sensor has a designated light.

[bris09]

My Charger did this last summer. Not saying it is the same problem but mine was the coolant temp sensor. There cheap and easy to replace, you don't even loose that much coolant.

[Volvit]

Yeah I think that's gonna be my first step