E026 Code Tip

[Howard]

This weekend I'm trying to sort out some issues with my Reatta. It was in the shop for several months and now that it is home, some things have cropped with on it that were not happening before it was in the shop. One, it was setting Code 026. The repair turned out to be very simple. The Code was caused by, and I have a hard time believing it to be the cause, a burnt out Service Engine Soon warning lamp. I replace the lamp, code is now "history". Everything has been fine since the replacement. So if you should get this code, check the light first. The replacement is pretty simply. The replacement instructions apply to the 88, 89. Grasp the bezel above the speedo, and gentle pull it away from the dash. This releases two tabs at the top. With a screw driver, or your fingers if they are small enough, try to get in the area just under the warning lamps and pry the bezel forward. Be careful, you don't want to break the tabs or bend the bezel facing. Once the bezel is removed, you will see two screws at the botton of the display and four screws at the top. Remove them. The dark colored faceplate will now just come off. You will see a white box around the warning lights, just squeeze on the bottom left and right side and pull away. Some gasket material will come attached to the white box. The bulbs are now exposed. They pull forward to replace them, they don't turn. While everything is apart, it's a good time to clear the dark panel on both side with a soft cloth and a little soap and water. Gently run a soft cloth over the VFD. VFD's seem to get a haze over them has they age. Reverse, to put everything back together. Now you have a new warning light and the display now looks brand new.

[manikmekanik]

Thanx 4 the invaluable tip, Howard!!

This should save $$$$$$ when one is headed toward ECM replacement to fix a E026 problem!

[Howard]

When the problem first appeared, one of the "tree" question was does the SES light turn on? In my case it did not. Another step was the use the ADL link to turn the light on. Since it did not turn on with that method, I decided to check the bulbs. Each one tested OK except the SES lamp. Replaced that bulb and problem fixed! No more code.

[kikikj]

i too have an intermittent warning and beeping light go on...mechanic said code 26 came up but he couldn't fiqure out what that meant..he said maybe a quad driver? the code is driving me crazy although the car runs ok. warning says "electrical problem detected..computer contr [color:\\"pink\\"] ols...service engine soon" or something like that. does any one have that problem...also my background lights around the console and the screen go on when i start the car and then go dark a few minutes later. i have spent so much on finding these problems that i may soon have to give her up to a guy who know how to fix these things as when i take it in..it is always a small fortune. anyone want to buy a '89 black with burgundy..65k miles and pretty much new everthing? new gas tank and sender, battery,harmonic balancer, windshield, tires, and etc. how much is an '89 worth..good body and interior. thanks for any info. i love the car but it does sorta scare me with the age and all. kj

[Guest kennyw]

electrical problem detected..If this comes up on the dash and not the crt you can bet on replacing the oil pressure sending unit on the motor. You can easily check this yourself. Keep the gages screen on the crt. If the oil pressure maxes out that is when the message will come on. It does not set a code. DASH LIGHT PROBLEM. Since these light up when starting the car the 110-volt inverters are o.k....It is the small sensor in the middle of the dash that is causing your light problem. Many posts on how to get to this sensor. Walk through a bone yard and get a few from most Gm cars of the time period. At least one should still work. The lights, are not [light bulbs]. They are a sheets that the 110-volt inverters light up. This light then comes through clear plastic buttons or letters.......ken

[Shelby]

That really is a great thing to know. I think that a lot of these car have the Check engine light bulb replaced with a burned out bulb because the mechanics, with large boat payments and no scrupples, can't solve the the problem.

The car talk guys sell a special black tape to put over the light when in comes on.

[kikikj]

thanks ken..the crt does display the message. though tonight it hasn't come on. some one said something about a quad driver? what is that?

[Guest F14CRAZY]

Like when I bought my Reatta. Had a missing yellow brake light bulb. Didn't know it for months until I had to replace the IPC. But then, back then, I didn't know the Teves system well enough to know better

[Guest budvilla]

Unbelievable I have been riding around for 2 months with this error and now it's gone with a light bulb in the dash.

Thanks so much for this

Tom

[NCReatta]

Tom,

I notice that we're both here in the City of Oaks. Send me an email, perhaps we can get together sometime!

[Guest Lesabre_]

Hello this is a stupid question, how will you know if the check engine light is burned out, will it not turn on, 91 buick lesabre? Thank you

[Machiner 55]

Lesabre,

After inserting the key and turning it to the first stop before ignition start, all the annunciator lamps should light up momentarily as a test of their functionality. This would include items such as the battery, coolant temp., air bag etc. as well as the check engine light.

John F.

[Guest Lesabre_]

how do you remove the ecm on a 91 buick lesabre, after you remove the 10 mm bolt, and also how do you take off those connecters, very hard to take off, and i dont want to break them either. thanks

[Guest Lesabre_]

how do you remove the ecm on a 91 buick lesabre, after you remove the 10 mm bolt, and also how do you take off those connecters, very hard to take off, and i dont want to break them either. thanks

[Guest 89 Maui]

In response to the infamous E026 code, I spent alot of time til I found what was my problem. Since I knew what things would activate the E026, I decided to write a tutorial that would make it easier in finding E026 problems.

The tutorial can be found on Ronnie's website.

[Guest Lesabre_]

Yea and I just replaced my ecm today too because the quad module circuits are suppsoesedly internal ecm chips but the code 26 27 29 still come up. What's the name of Ronnie's website, thanks

[Ronnie]

Yea and I just replaced my ecm today too because the quad module circuits are suppsoesedly internal ecm chips but the code 26 27 29 still come up. What's the name of Ronnie's website, thanks

Sorry if I contributed to your decision to change the ECM in order to fix a code 26 "quad driver" problem. That was not my intention. What I said in the post I made is quoted below.

I'm afraid you may have overlooked or misunderstood the primary point I was making and jumped to the conclusion that the ECM needed to be changed to fix the quad driver. The main point I was making is: "Unlike most other codes, there is no simple answer to what causes a code 26." In that same post I suggested you do the tests in the tutorial on my website that was written by 89 MAUI.

What codes are you getting for the speed sensor and neutral switch?

Below is the same answer I gave to basically the same code 26 question you asked in another thread. Did you not find that answer helpful?

Unlike most other codes, there is no simple answer to what causes a code 26. A code 26 is a "catch all" code that can be set by a lot of different systems. You must methodically eliminate each possibility, one by one, as described in the tutorial to find what is setting the code 26.

As info: The quad driver module is a section of the ECM that tests certain electrical systems in the car for proper function. It isn't an electronic component in the car that can be replaced.

[Guest Lesabre_]

Does that website work for my 91 lesabre?

[Ronnie]

Does that website work for my 91 lesabre?

I don't really know how to answer that question. I've never owned a '91 Lesabre. It certainly wouldn't hurt to read the tutorial. It might help you better understand what it takes to find the cause of your code 26. As I mentioned before, without the aid of the Reatta's on-board diagnostic system, or a good scan tool, you will have a hard time pinpointing the cause of a code 26.

[Guest Aipocrew]

This weekend I'm trying to sort out some issues with my Reatta. It was in the shop for several months and now that it is home, some things have cropped with on it that were not happening before it was in the shop. One, it was setting Code 026. The repair turned out to be very simple. The Code was caused by, and I have a hard time believing it to be the cause, a burnt out Service Engine Soon warning lamp. I replace the lamp, code is now "history". Everything has been fine since the replacement. So if you should get this code, check the light first. The replacement is pretty simply. The replacement instructions apply to the 88, 89. Grasp the bezel above the speedo, and gentle pull it away from the dash. This releases two tabs at the top. With a screw driver, or your fingers if they are small enough, try to get in the area just under the warning lamps and pry the bezel forward. Be careful, you don't want to break the tabs or bend the bezel facing. Once the bezel is removed, you will see two screws at the botton of the display and four screws at the top. Remove them. The dark colored faceplate will now just come off. You will see a white box around the warning lights, just squeeze on the bottom left and right side and pull away. Some gasket material will come attached to the white box. The bulbs are now exposed. They pull forward to replace them, they don't turn. While everything is apart, it's a good time to clear the dark panel on both side with a soft cloth and a little soap and water. Gently run a soft cloth over the VFD. VFD's seem to get a haze over them has they age. Reverse, to put everything back together. Now you have a new warning light and the display now looks brand new.