Rolling Thunder

As the title says my new to me 86 bird has a bit of an issue with a code 36 trouble code. Ive reset the code several times to check and see if it was an intermittent problem and every time it comes back. I ran through the troubleshooting chart in the factory manual for the car and everything checks out to be fine. Lastly when I run the car for a while and shut if off you can see the sensing wire in the MAF glow for a short period of time after the car is turned off telling me the wireing is fine and the ECM is running though the burn off routien as it should. Everything that I have done in the line of testing indicates to me that the burn off circuit is functioning fine yet I still have the code 36 comming back. According to the manual its time to replace the ECM but is this really where I stand? I guess what im really trying to ask is what conditions does the ECM look for to set a code 36? The manual is great for explaning what conditions set the other codes but it seems like for this one they just say its bad, the comp knows it is, fix it.

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Rolling Thunder

No one knows what the ECM actually looks for to set a code 36?

Drumer919

Sorry I cant help but here is what alldata says, sounds like you already have a diagnostic flo w chart but I can email you the alldata one if you think it might help you, just not going to take the time to host it, I also have the wiring diagram I could email you too. Let me know if you want either.

CODE 36 - MAF BURN-OFF CIRCUIT

Circuit Description :

The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor measures the amount of air which passes through it. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) uses this information to determine engine load for fuel delivery control.

Due to contaminates in the atmosphere a residue may build up on the MAF sensor sensing wire. To maintain an accurate reading from the sensor, a "burn-off" cycle will occur when the ignition is turned off after the engine had been running a specified amount of time and engine warmed up. The burn-off function is enabled when the ECM grounds CKT 900 which energizes the MAF sensor burn-off relay. With the MAF sensor burn-off relay energized, voltage will be supplied to the MAF sensor terminal "D". Voltage will also be supplied through the normally closed set of contacts in the MAF power relay which will supply 12 volts to terminal "E" of the MAF sensor.

Test Description : Numbers below refer to circled numbers on the diagnostic chart.

1. This test will determine if the burn-off function is operative or if the Code was set due to an intermittent condition.
2. Checks for continuous 12 volts supply to burn-off relay.
3. Grounding CKT 900 should energize the relay and close the contacts.
4. With the burn-off relay energized there should be 12 volts supplied to the MAF sensor on terminal "D & "E" (CKTs 993 and 994).

Diagnostic Aids :

The Code 36 could have been set due to a poor connection at any of the relays or the MAF sensor. Be sure that these connections and terminals are OK. A faulty MAF sensor should not be considered as the cause if Code 36 is set.

Refer to "Intermittents" in Diagnosis By Symptoms - No Trouble Codes Stored.

__________________
Dan - ASE certified-A1, A4, A5, A8
This is for all things four wheeled and fast...
95 S10 ecsb-350ci, Ported 906 vortec's, L31 intake, 9.5:1, Crane(.484/.512 216/228 112LSA), Hooker Super comps, 2.5" ORY, E-cutout, 40 series flow, 4L60E, 8.8 f*rd posi w/ 3.73's, 7427 PCM, MPFI mode, $OD, WB02. - Daily Driven!

Rolling Thunder

Well thanks for the info and doing what you can. Ive checked out alldata (which is the exact same thing thats in the factory manual) and unfortunetly unlike for other codes they have completely neglected to say what exactly caused this code to be set. Ive run through the trouble shooting procedured in the factory manual (again same as all data) and everything test out fine and i can see the burn off cycle happening. I decided to replace the MAF power and MAF burn off realys and clean all conections just for good measure and the problem still exsists. The manual says at this point replace the ECM but ECMs are pretty reliable pieces of equipment so i doubt thats what the problem really is. Unfortunetly if no one knows what the ECM looks for to set a code 36 i cannot test anything to see if thoes conditions are true and if so why or if not replace the ECM. So im pretty much stuck makeing educated guesses and throwing money at it till its solved lol.