I just purchased a 1988 Blk GTA 305 5spd that died
on me while driving without any symptoms. Engine would
restart but not remain ideling. Found a code 34, installed
a new MAF but had same problem. Next I replaced both the
MAF burnoff relay and MAF power relay. Now I have three
codes,33,34,36 but car seems to be running fine except for
start up. I know this seems to be a common problem and I
researched the archived threads on this board but could not
seem to come up with what to check next.
Sorry this is a little lengthy, any suggestions would be greatly
appreciated.
Look forward to being a member of this board.

Christina

 

Hello Christina,

Welcome to the board. What you need to do is disconnect the battery positive cable for about 5 to 10 minutes to clear the trouble codes from the ECM. After you have reconnected the battery, take the car for a test drive and see if the SES light comes back on and check the code. Your three codes that you had were probably codes that hadn't been cleared. BTW, after reconnecting the battery you will also have to re-enter any pre-sets that you had on your stereo and clock.

 

Please make it the negative battery cable as the one to disconnect. Not like the Trickster to slip up like that

RBob.

 

Hey RBob,

The reason that I mentioned the positive cable is because I have had several instances in the past where disconnecting the negative battery cable produced no results in clearing the codes. This has been the case on more than one make and model car. The service manual also states to disconnect the ECM power feed at the positive battery terminal pigtail, the inline fuse holder, or the ECM fuse in the fuse block. In parenthesis it say, "the negative battery terminal may be disconnected, but other on-board memory data such as preset radio tuning will also be lost.

 

disconnecting either cable will break the circuit. Ive absent mindedly disconnected teh positive first on some occasions. Nothing like welding a tool to the fender.

 

Thanks for the info guys.
I am going to drop the car off
tomorrow since I have already paid
the tech for this "repair". I will report
back with results.

Christina