gtaproject

88 GTA, 305 TPI, 5-speed.

The car started setting Code 33 after parking and then driving again. If I clear the code, and then drive the car, I can drive without setting the code (took an hour drive yesterday without setting the code). As soon as I park for a while and then start to drive again, code 33 sets. I did a search on code 33 so no need to rehash all the procedures (I have them all). I will start with the relays, but was wondering if anybody had any insight regarding why this code only sets when it does. Is this any clue that can help in diagnosing the problem? Thanks in advance.

Kevin

Trickster

If you have read all the procedures on code 33 and have seen the troubleshooting chart that I have posted several times. You will see the last paragraph on the first page of it concerning intermittent codes. It talks about wiring problems and jumpering the fuel pump at the ALDL. Just a thought!!

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

trickster I could use some help real quick. I don't know if you remember my post about the code 33 I was getting? I spliced in 2 new plugs from a junkyard into my car. I cleared the computer then turned the key on and the ses light didn't come on. So i'm hoping the code 33 is fixed. However I heard a weird hissing noise, I thought it was my radio on a station that wasn't coming in. I looked down and the radio was completely off. The noise lasted about 5 seconds and I haven't heard it since. Now my car has no fuel pressure according to the gauge mounted to my hsr fuel rails. The gauge doesn't even budge when you turn over the key. I'm guessing I did something to the fuel pump or the relay. I could use some help with this.

Trickster

What two plugs did you splice in, I vaguely remember your post but if you would. Please refresh my memory please.

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

I was getting the code 33 so I spliced in 2 new plugs for the MAF power relay and MAF burnoff. The wiring on the old ones were so bad I figured it was the problem so I started there. Will the computer pick up a code 33 without it even being started if it still has the problem?

Trickster

The code 33 this time might be generated by the fuel pump relay since it is in the same circuit. If you have the troubleshooting chart for code 33 you will see what I am talking about. If you need this chart let me know.

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

i'm not getting a code 33 when I turn the key on. I get no ses light. I was just wondering if the computer would read any codes without the engine running? I looked at the wiring in the chilton book and I saw that the fuel pump switch and relay are in the same circuit as the MAF like you're talking about. Is the fuel pump relay with the 2 MAF relays? If not where is it? I need to get fuel to the beast and make it come alive. If you have aim my name is MunsonGTA. Talking on there would probably resolve this quicker.

Trickster

Sorry, I don't have AIM. On the driver side firewall is a bracket with three relays (Fuel pump, MAF power, & MAF burn-off). The two MAF relays are the same part, they just have different wiring at the connectors. The odd relay is the fuel pump relay. Here is a picture of the relays that should be in your car. Disregard the writing on the picture, the individual who posted it got the relays wrong and was asking a question about them. The one on the left is the fuel pump relay.

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

okay I will go out tomorrow and make sure the relay is plugged in good. The people that owned my car before me did a major hack job on the relay wiring. Each wire going into the 2 MAF relays had atleast a 1/4 inch of bare wire sticking out. They also moved the 3 relays around in position. I'll post again tomorrow and hopefully it'll be fixed.

Trickster

BTW, you might want to check the 20 AMP fuse in the engine bay near the battery. You might have blown it when you were playing with those wires. It provides power to that circuit when the key is turned to prime the pump.

Vader

Cash,

You should always get an SES lamp with the engine off and ignition on. If not, you may have a problem with the lamp, ignition switch, wiring, or ECM.

The ECM will display any and all stored error codes with the ignition on and engine off. It will also store a '12' in this mode since the distributor is not generating reference pulses. There are some other error codes that can generate without the engine starting, such as an open circuit for the CTS, open TPS, open MAP, BARO, and a few others that I'm probably forgetting. Most codes require teh engine to be running before they will generate, however. This is the case for a '33' or '34'.

The fuel pump relay, auxilliary oil pressure switch for the fuel pump, and MAF power relay share a common power source circuit - that's all. There is no other common connection. Ultimately, all loads have the same source.

As for the relays, here's the layout I have:

burnout88

Hey Trickster, I noticed on a couple of occasions you have told people that the fuel pump relay is the outer relay on the pass. side with the odd type connector. This is incorrect. In my factory 1988 electrical Camaro service manual it shows the outer relay as the burnoff relay (square shape), inner relay as fuel pump (round shape) and drivers side (round shape) as the MAF power relay.

The first picture posted showing the Fuel pump relay in the center with the same connector as the power relay is correct. I will see if I can scan in the page from my manual showing the factory layout.

Trickster

It will vary from year to year and it is on the drivers side firewall, not the passenger side. Yes, please post that picture and I will add it to my gallery.

gtaproject

I know this thread has gone in another direction, but I changed the 3 relays (including the fuel pump) and cleaned the MAF, checked connections, and TPS, and the problem seems to have gone away. The car did not set the code after driving, shutting down, and driving again. I didn't get to really test it for very long because my differential cover began leaking gear oil. As soon as I get that sured up, I'll get more seat time. But on the one test I did, the code did not set.

Kevin

CashMunson

iTrader: (1)

well i'm back with the code 33 solved. After testing a new MAF sensor, a new MAF power relay, a new ecu the problem still wasn't fixed. It turns out the car was outflowing the MAF. After my buddy burned me a new chip with different MAF values, no more code 33 and the car runs like a champ.

Lampropeltis

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what exactly does "outflowing" mean?