VETDRM

Check engine light stays on. Looking for possible reasons? Could it be the fuel since its about 2 years old wih stabil?

Goody

No way to really tell until you pull the code. Else it is only a guess. It will be emissions related since the light is set by the CCM.

calwldlife

Under the ashtray there is a plug.
jumper the two contacts on the left side together with key on run.

the light will start blinking.
the first code will be
1 blink, pause 2 blinks.
this will repeat 3 times.
then the code/s will be blinked out- 3 times each.
so, a 2 blink, pause 3 blink- 3 times will be a code 23
then the next code will start in same way.
when the light starts the 1 blink pause 2 blinks sequence, all codes have been shown.

report back with what codes you have

0grandmastercorvette

Not meaning to be a "stickler". But there is not such thing as a CCM ( Central Control Module) in a 1981 Corvette. They have an ECM (Electronic Control Module). The CCM's did not come out until 1990.

Just wanted to clarify this so he didn't try to find a component that wasn't in his car. Because it is different. PCM, BCM, CCM, ECM and many more to list all do different things. I'm sure it was a typo, and I knew what you meant, but....maybe he didn't.
"DUB"

VETDRM

Jumped the two contacts on the left with a paper clip. No blinking with key on?

calwldlife

The metal gets corroded and makes it hard to get contact.

yes key on, jumper .

too be sure the left are the one on your car, is plastic divider
slotted between the contacts so a straight blade screw driver can be used?

VETDRM

jamed to strait screw drivers all the way down and each terminal and tried jumping across. nothing blinks evenn tried the the right side nothing. Did it trying to start as well. nothing.

calwldlife

Hopefully it is only corrosion and not a bad ecm.
A finger nail file repeatedly pushed in and out so the metal is cleaned.

So the car has been parked and now it has an error light?

Unless the light blinks and you hear clicking, I won't be able to tell
you the codes.

Check the 2 harnesses that plug in the ecm, which is in front of the battery.

Maybe they are corroded too.

0grandmastercorvette

Your check engine light is powered by the gauges fuse. The ground is controlled by the computer. Make sure that your ECM fuse is not blown. If the car has been sitting for two years, and depending on where you live, it is possible that mice have "played" around with your wiring causing the control wire to go to ground. I have the flow chart on "code 12 not flashing" if you need it. This flowchart may not make sense without the rest of the manual. Call me and I will be willing to help if you want.
"DUB"

VETDRM

Car has been parked for several months. Will try the cleaning as you suggested. The ECM was replaced about 4 years ago, because of the need to get it through emissions. It passed emissions 2 years ago but no longer needs to be tested. The light came on at the end of last season and even with the battery disconnected the light still came on this year. Which now brings to mind if the car has not been run enough this year will it still get a code. on another car going thru emissions that had the battery disconnected it needed to be driven in order for the computer to take a reading. Is this the same on these older models.




I also have the manual I'll check the other suggestions.

Thanks

calwldlife

No it does not have the "system not ready bs".

A solid light at start up points to broken wire/disconnected.
dist feed, Mixture sol, throttle pos, computer.

A lot of the codes need minutes and drive time to set.

Goody

My bad...actually I meant to type CCC which isn't really correct either. But thank you for the clarification.

Jimsal

can anyoune tell me on the dash of an 81 vette where the engine light is suppose to light?

gbvette62

It's in the upper left hand side of your center gauge bezel, next to the water temperature gauge and below the seat belt lamp.

Tim81

It is also a yellow flashing light. Sounds like the fuse is bad or poor connection some place.

rolasprint

HI ALL! I am a new corvette 1981 owner. I bought it a couple of months ago. I do not use it much and the last time I fired it up to go for a spin the check engine light came on and stayed on. While I drive it I kind of smell some gas excess and the car is like "heavy". Shifts ok but it seems to be in 2 when it is actually in D. I tried to pull out the code and I read in another thread in this forum that I should jump the to extreme right contacts with a clip and turn the key. which I did but I did not get the light to blink. I read in this post that I should jump the two left side contacts which I notice do not have a plastic insert dividing them (they are the only two of the five contacts that are not divided). I have already ordered a service manual from ebay but maybe you guys could help a brother. I was planning to remove the center console in order to have a better reach to jump the contacts but I do not know how to do that. I also wanted to make sure I was jumping the correct contacts. Even though the light does not blink, I do get some small sparks out of the contacts and the light kind of changes intensity when I move the clip to find a better metal surface since the contacts do show a little of greenish rust. Any help would be appreciate. Thanks toall and have a nice week.

rolasprint

HI ALL! I am a new corvette 1981 owner. I bought it a couple of months ago. I do not use it much and the last time I fired it up to go for a spin the check engine light came on and stayed on. While I drive it I kind of smell some gas excess and the car is like "heavy". Shifts ok but it seems to be in 2 when it is actually in D. I tried to pull out the code and I read in another thread in this forum that I should jump the to extreme right contacts with a clip and turn the key. which I did but I did not get the light to blink. I read in this post that I should jump the two left side contacts which I notice do not have a plastic insert dividing them (they are the only two of the five contacts that are not divided). I have already ordered a service manual from ebay but maybe you guys could help a brother. I was planning to remove the center console in order to have a better reach to jump the contacts but I do not know how to do that. I also wanted to make sure I was jumping the correct contacts. Even though the light does not blink, I do get some small sparks out of the contacts and the light kind of changes intensity when I move the clip to find a better metal surface since the contacts do show a little of greenish rust. Any help would be appreciate. Thanks toall and have a nice week.