Service (wrench ) light...just bought car

[Pam and Scott]

I just bought a 96 SL1, 85000 miles.
My Service Light (the one with the little wrench) is coming on and staying
on. Sometimes it doesn't come on, but most it does. The fella that sold me
the car said that was just a reminder light...a way for Saturn to get you
in for them to work on maintenance. The oild had just been changed, etc.
He said the light just needed to be scanned by a Saturn delaer to resest the
light. The manual says that that warning light is for non-emissions
problems.
The car runs great....temp ok.....oil pressure ok. We drove it 70-75 mph
from Ohio (about 300 miles) and it showed no signs of any malfunction.
Has anyone had similar problems with this service light?
Our nearest Saturn dealer is a good 50 miles away.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Robert Hancock]

It's not a maintenance reminder light, it's a malfunction indicator light.
It indicates a non-emissions-related problem, like with something controlled
by the body computer module. You'd need to scan the codes to know what it
was.

 

[Guest]

The code should be checked since it may be something big. More auto parts
stores are doing free code scans, like AutoZone. They hope you will buy the
needed parts from them if they sell them. But at least you will know what
the code is trying to tell you. Good luck.

 

[Pam and Scott]

Thanks for all the helpful info.
We bought this off an auto wholesaler.
We probably should have been a little less naive about this. If it proves
to be something....I will have words!
We do have a limited service warranty for 3 mo/3000 miles.

I went to two AutoZones. One could not scan it, the other did, but the
scan showed nothing. He forwarded me to a local auto shop that is run by a
buy that used to work for GM. I have an appointment with him for
disgnostics.

Thanks!

 

[BANDIT2941]

The fella that sold me

the car said that was just a reminder light...a way for Saturn to get you
in for them to work on maintenance. The oild had just been changed, etc.
He said the light just needed to be scanned by a Saturn delaer to resest the
light. The manual says that that warning light is for non-emissions
problems.

I don't believe the light is a maintenance light, it is an indicator of
something malfunctioning. Get the codes scanned and see what they say.

Did you buy the car from a used car dealership or from an individual? Either
way I would definitly have words with them.

 

[no1]

problems.

On my 2003 the wrench and oil can combo light means to change oil soon.
It also shows how to reset the light after the oil change. There is a red
button
in the fuse box under the hood marked "R OIL" you put car key in the
run mark on ignition (don't start car) and hold the button down for 5
seconds.