1989 Camaro RS Issues (3rd time!) - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Firebird_Sadie · 10-08-2009, 04:47 PM

I'm at my end.

I have run this thing to almost killing it at points, trying to get it to work properly. I replaced the ECM, if you remember from my previous thread. The new ECM now makes my car idle correctly, and it tries to keep the engine running if the transmission starts doing weird things, versus the old one letting it do as it pleased.

Alright, here are my problems now:

-Charge level gauge is showing my alternator charging at start, then fluctuating. The needle on the gauge is above 13 at start, then fluctuates to between 8 and 13. Usually decides to stay about 10. My alternator is putting out charge, though, because the battery never dies. It charges it. Could it just be the gauge going bad?
-Now, my car shifts fine and idles fine when COLD. No problems at all. After it hits operating temperature, though, it gets temperamental. My transmission shifts EXTREMELY early, such as shifting into 4th at 15mph. It really bogs the engine down, and then will kill it when I come to a stop. Throwing it into neutral when coming to a stop does fix it now, versus before when it would still kill the engine with the old ECM. Also, my transmission takes about 5 seconds to shift into OD or D, but shifts immediately into 1 and 2.

My question is this: What part of my engine tells my transmission when it's okay to switch into overdrive? Could my coolant temperature sensor be at fault? I only encounter these problems after the car warms up. (My thinking is that once it realizes it's okay to shift into overdrive, it starts acting up).

Any help would be appreciated, and I'm sorry for making this thread again. I'm just a little fed up with her right now.

To the point I want to just get rid of it.

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camaronewbie · 10-08-2009, 08:00 PM

Has the TV cable been adjusted properly?

Maybe the torque converter is locking up before it's time? I have no idea how to check or how to correct, but it's an idea.

Have you replaced the ignition modlue inside the distributor? That's a part that is heat sensitive, as well as the coil.

Maybe I'm wrong with any of this, but it's some ideas to bounce off others here.

Firebird_Sadie · 10-08-2009, 10:09 PM

TV Cable is properly adjusted, made sure it clicked full at WOT.

I wondered about the Torque Converter, also. Will have that checked.

I need to check the ignition module, but the car is not having any problems running.