Its a 1988 Camaro, I bought the car and before I even drove it off their property I had to put a brand new (they provided) ecu in. The said it had running problems before the old computer went out. So it turned out to be the fuel pump that was the problem, and ever sense the "Service Engine Soon" light comes on every time I drive it. Do I just need to reset the error code or does it have to do with it being a new unit or is it something else?

 

Need to pull the codes to see which one is causing the SES. From the TGO main page, tech articles, there is a "how-to" on pulling the codes (short A & B, key-on, count the SES blinks).

RBob.

 

sorry, im new to the site, I can't seem to find it...

 

The connector is just umder the egde of the dash, to the right ofthe steering column.

Here ya go... ECM codes

Or just go to an Autozone...They'll check it for free, but it isn't anything you can't do yourself, with just a metal paper clip.

 

When it says to "jumper" that's one end of the paperclip in each one?

 

Yeah....AutoZone has an aluminum "key", but it really amounts to nothing more than a fancy paper clip.

Paper clips work perfectly just the same.

 

So I got codes 12, 32, 42, 54... What do these mean?

 

The page I linked you to tells you. Read it.

 

Sorry im not to good with tech data. I don't really understand what all that means...

 

It lists what the codes are for, and grouped by engine size.

Find your engine, then go down the list to your codes.

 

yes I did, I don't understand the descriptions...

 

Which engine do you have?

 

Code 42 is universally EST.

I would check to make sure the EST connector is connected...
It's a brown wire with a black stripe. It is located toward the passenger side of the car; over the blower motor. It should stick out from the main loom going to the ECM.

Code 32 is the EGR. Test egr operation. There is a good how-to in the tech articles section of this site:
https://www.thirdgen.org/egrdiagnose

 

5.0l V8 TBI

 

32 After the ECM tried to apply vacuume to the EGR valve to open it (assuming it is a vacuume operated one), the MAP sensor reading didn't flinch. (It should have)

42 Electronics spark timing didn't change when the ECM said to change it.
ditto.)

54. No fuel pump voltage sensed after the ECM commanded it to come on.

What has been done to the car other than the ECM that they replaced, tune up wise. Are you going to work on it?

 

I bought it 2 months ago, sense then I have installed new ECU, Fuel pump, PCV valve, timed the engine, Installed a new battery, put a new Cat-back system on it...

 

ok.

I would recommend unplugging the battery and clearing the codes. I think you'll find that the only one that comes back is the code 32. (unless you forgot to replug the est connector when you were done setting the timing. )

 

So no telling on the age of:
Fuel FILTER
PLUGS,
WIRES,
ROTOR,
CAP,
EGR VALVE,

Your CAT-BACK exhaust mod may require ECM tuning to accomodate the more open flow characteristic. Toehead will have to chime in there. I'd clear your codes (by a reader or by pulling the ECM fuse for 30 seconds) and see if codes still show up and then re-read them. Because it wouldn't run without fuel pump voltage and it would run like poop if the ecm couldn't control the timing.

DOH! Toehead beat me to the trigger !!! :-)

 

Fuel filter was changed when I did the pump. Plugs and wires and possibly the cap and rotor were done about a year ago. What's the egr valve again? The exaust used to be 2 1/4" now from the cat back its custom 2 1/2" with flowmaster... I will try reseting the codes...
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By the way the car runs perfectly, very nice! Its my daily driver.

 

Okay. Like Toehead and I said, disconnect your battery for 30 seconds or so and then connect it back. Should clear the codes. Also make sure the timing connector is plugged back up like Toehead caught. If you timed it , you should have unplugged it at that "time" so to speak. Maybe you forgot to plug it back in but I thought it would run pigish if it was unplugged. Also my list should have included replacing the O2 sensor if that hasn't already been done.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

Hi all!
I'm new here, I've recently both a Camaro RS V8 1989, which was my dream car when younger, but never been selled in Italy. Now I'm in CA enjoying it!

I dont want to stress you guys, I know it has been asked 1 billion times probably...however:

1 - service engine light: I really didnt understand how can I figure out the codes. Do I have to count all the flashes from the beginning? or count how many "code 12" appear in a row? And that would be the number of the error?

2 - If before doing this I disconect battery and no codes are displayed means that car is ok?

Thanx, please support a newbie...

Michele