Okay, had a real fun evening. On my way from work my car just up and stalled while sitting at a traffic light. It fired right back up, but the SES light was now on and the car was accerlating really poorly. The trans was also taking a long time to shift.

Since I didn't want to get stuck in Venice, I nursed the car as far as I could down PCH. I got to Gladstone's and pulled into a 76 station. The coolant temp was now at 220° and I could smell something wasn't right.

I shut the car down, popped the hood and saw the exhaust manifolds glowing red hot. The coolant then started boiling over.

Either something inside the engine took a dump -OR- my catalytic converter came apart and clogged up the exhaust. The catalyst inside the converter had definitley been loose. I've heard it rattling recently and Don also noticed it while installing my SFC's back around Christmas.

I'll check the SES code in the morning since AAA jerked me around and it took 4 HOURS to get a flatbed to tow me home. They offered to reimburse me should I decide to hire my own service, so I'm hoping they'll pick up the $180 tab for getting my car home from Malibu. Looks like I'll be signing up for AAA plus so I can get the 100 mile free towing.

Soooo, anyone have any input to add regarding what may have happened to the car?

 

Yeah that sucks!

Hopefully the trouble code might point you in the right direction, but it does seem like it could be an exhaust issue or perhaps on bank firing too lean - but you resolved some injector issues not to long ago right?

 

Checked the codes and found a Code 42 = Electronic Spark Timing error. This points to the ignition module or possibly the ECM. I think my Accel ignition module may have died once again. The last time, the car just up and stalled and would run only for a minute then die. This time it would run, but really poorly.

I have a new Holley ignition module in the garage so I'll probably install it and see what happens. I'm half temped to just replace the whole distributor. I'm also going to go get a new oil pressure sender and replace that too while I'm at it.

I'll post an update later in the day.

 

Have you ever replaced the electronic spark control module on the firewall? When it went out in the RS we had, that was all it did was up and die no fuel or spark, ending up replacing a few things before I posted on the TBI board and was pointed in the right direction

I hope that you are able to resolve the issue this weekend, good luck

 

No, I've never replaced the ESC on the firewall. My car will run and idle fine. What happens is that when you accelerate, the car feels very heavy. Almost like it's trying to pull something.

The power is down and the vacuum must be low too because the transmission is taking a long time to shift. The coolant temp also slowly started increasing and the exhaust manifolds got super hot – to the point they were turning cherry red. This is what lead me to believe that the cat may be plugged up.

The code 42 indicates some type of timing/ignition issue. I did go and buy a new MSD distributor, but I'm going to hold off installing it (in case I want to return it) until I do some more trouble shooting.

Best case scenario is some component failed and just needs to be replaced. Worst case scenario is that the engine is just done and it's time for more horsepower.

 

After doing some research, it's looking more and more like the ignition module is toast or the wiring to the ignition module shorted.

I found this on a turbo Buick site and it matches what my car did last night:

CODE 42
Trouble Code 42 indicates that there may be a malfunction in the Electronic Spark Timing (EST) system.

During cranking, the timing is controlled by the ignition module while the ECM monitors the engine speed. When the engine speed exceeds 400 RPM, the ECM sends a BYPASS signal to the ignition module which switches the timing to ECM control. The ECM calculates what the timing should be then "tells" the ignition module via the EST circuit.

An open or ground in the EST circuit will stall the engine and set a Code 42. The engine can be re-started but it will run on ignition module timing.

The conditions for setting this code are:

* System in BYPASS mode but the ignition module is still controlling timing
- or -
* Engine speed > 600 RPM with no EST pulses (ECM controlled timing) going to the ignition module for 200 msec.


Typical causes for this code include:

1) BYPASS line is open or grounded
2) EST line is open or grounded
3) PROM or CALPACK not seated properly in the ECM
4) Poor connections between ignition module and ECM
5) Poor routing of EST harness and/or poor quality ignition wires (EMI induced electrical noise)
6) Faulty or incorrect ignition module
7) Faulty ECM

 

The last time that happen to me it turned out to be the ECM. I tried everything from the module to the wiring all from the dealer. Not until one day out at Carlsbad my headers got so red hot that it melted my hyd. clutch line. That convinced me to go and get me a new ECM. The problem has been gone since.

 

Problem solved. My Accel ignition module took a dump. Installed a new Holley IM and the car is running fine again.

This is the second time in just under two years that my IM has died. This time it could cost me $180 for towing. I'm going to submit the bill to AAA and see if they will reimburse me since their service was so bad that night. They agree it was inexcusible that it took 4 hours to get a truck to me AND that every time I called I never got any useful info. as to when a truck might get there. Two supervisors were invovled before the night was thru and everything is well documented.

The worst part is that with some simple hand tools and a spare module, I could have fixed the car in the 76 parking lot and been back on the road in less than an hour.

Either Accel makes some crappy IM's or my distributor needs to go. The wiring to the IM inside the distributor doesn't look too good. The plastic connector deteriorated years ago and there's some green corrosion on the terminals. The insulation is also starting to get brittle.

I'll probably go ahead and install the new MSD distributor and keep the Holley IM in the car for any future emergencies.


On a side note – My oil pressure problem was indeed a bad sender. The old one was leaking.

 

As a rule of thumb, most of us have found the only good IM is from the General. Tough to beat.

Oh, and that plastic part comes with a new pickup coil and is only about $20

 

I'll check the SES code in the morning since AAA jerked me around and it took 4 HOURS to get a flatbed to tow me home. They offered to reimburse me should I decide to hire my own service, so I'm hoping they'll pick up the $180 tab for getting my car home from Malibu. Looks like I'll be signing up for AAA plus so I can get the 100 mile free towing.

Soooo, anyone have any input to add regarding what may have happened to the car? [/B][/QUOTE]

AAA is coming a Bunch of crap.. I want to see AAA expand bigger.. Not contracting out all these sorry *** Tow company's, that damage vehicles. Leave you stranded for hours just for a flat bed.. In Vegas AAA is so much more professional.. They don't contract as I heard.. Makes a big diffrences..

Good Luck with you car Brett.. Get that cat fixed, as you may have seen many cats, When there clogged there clogged..

 

Normally, I do go with AC Delco for this kind of stuff. I just figured the Accel might be worth a try. The first Accel IM lasted for about 4 or 5 years before it crapped out. This second one, well you know the story. Accel just seems to be a hit-or-miss proposition. Some of their stuff is decent and some is garbage. I guess that's racing.

As far as replacing the pick-up coil in the distributor - can it be done on the car or would I have to pull the distributor and disassemble it? If it means pulling it out, I don't see much point in rebuilding a 17 year old, 175,000 mile part with signs of corrosion and patina on the copper components.

Sure the MSD ain't cheap, but I can transfer it to the new engine when the time comes so it's sort of an investment.

 

I've had a new DyoMax cat sitting in the garage for about 4 years, but have purposely held off in installing it. My engine has the typical SBC blue smoke start-up due to worn valve seals and I dont want that to kill the cat prematurely. Lon had that happen on his RS.

With a smog check due at the end of this year, I may just have to go ahead and install it. I doubt I'll pass smog with the shape the factory cat is in. At that point, I may as well intall some headers and Y-pipe at the same time.

Don should have a few sets of his header design produced by then.

 

Awhile back when my wheel flew off due to 2 lugnuts being stolen, the tow company put a nice dent in my trunk. Thankfully it was easily fixed.

 

Well luckily that.. They just don't want to take reparability of the matters.. This last Tow.. I assured the driver my situation with the tows I have had in the past.. And treat the car with Kit gloves It is a Highperformance Car.. And I have a lot of money in it.. He said no problem.. It made it home safe..

 

A/C Delco is better. You could time the car easier. It doesn't retard when you rev the engine while trying to time the car.