Code 33, 44, 53, and 54. WTF do all of these mean? I noticed one of my vacumm lines was off so I put that on and also one of my spark plug wires had come loose so I put that back on. But it was like that at the mechanic shop all day getting my fuel line replaced that I broke. Geez, what a day, anyways, what do these codes mean and where do I begin fixing my car? It will crank but won't turn over and those are the codes I pulled, thanks. Oh btw: when I was cranking it I noticed my throttle bores would fill up with fuel with just a second of cranking, that can't be normal, I think my fuel pressure is to high.

 

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

ECM DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATION(S)

12 Diagnostic mode / ECM functioning No distributor pulses
13 Oxygen sensor signal problem or loss
14 Coolant sensor - high temperature fault
15 Coolant sensor - low temperature fault
16 System over voltage - over 17.1 volts
16 DIS fault
17 Crank signal circuit shorted (or bad ECM)
18 Crank signal circuit open (or bad ECM)
18 Cam/crank sensor synchronization error (DIS)
19 Fuel pump circuit shorted
19 Crankshaft position sensor fault (1988-1991)
20 Fuel pump voltage high, circuit open
21 TPS voltage high
22 TPS voltage low
23 M/C solenoid fault (Carbureted)
23 MAT sensor Low temperature fault (EFI/TPI/SFI)
23 EST bypass circuit fault (Cadillac DFI)
24 VSS loss of signal
25 MAT sensor High temperature fault (EFI/TPI/SFI)
25 Modulated displacement failure (1981 Cadillac V8-6-4)
25 EST circuit fault (Cadillac HT4100)
26 Quad driver circuit (3.8L)
26 Throttle switch circuit shorted
27 Throttle switch circuit open
27 Gear switch diagnosis
28 Gear switch diagnosis
28 PSM check (4L80-E Transmissions)
29 Gear switch diagnosis
30 ISC fault (Cadillac TBI)
30 RPM error (Cadillac MFI)
31 Turbo over-boost fault (Turbo only)
31 Park/Neutral switch fault (3.3L V-6)
31 MAT sensor circuit fault (Cadillac DFI)
31 Canister purge solenoid fault
31 Camshaft sensor circuit fault
31 EGR circuit fault (1988-1991 TBI)
31 MAP sensor circuit shorted
32 BARO sensor circuit shorted (Carbureted)
32 EGR circuit fault (EFI/TBI)
32 MAP sensor circuit open
33 MAP sensor voltage low - pressure low/vacuum high
33 MAF signal low - flow high (EFI/TPI/SFI)
34 MAP sensor voltage high - pressure high/vacuum low
34 MAF signal high - flow low (EFI/TPI/SFI)
35 ISC fault (Carbureted)
35 IAC fault (EFI/TPI/SFI)
35 BARO sensor circuit shorted (Cadillac DFI)
36 MAF sensor burn-off circuit failure
36 DIS fault
36 Transaxle shift control (1991+)
36 Closed throttle shift control (1991+)
36 BARO sensor circuit shorted (Cadillac DFI)
37 MAT sensor voltage low or shorted (Cadillac HT4100)
37 MAT sensor high temperature (1984-86)
38 MAT sensor voltage high or open (Cadillac HT4100)
38 MAT sensor low temperature (1984-86)
38 Brake input circuit failed (brake light switch)
39 TCC failure
40 Power steering pressure switch fault
41 EST circuit failure - no distributer pulses
41 Camshaft position sensor failure
41 Cylinder select error
42 EST circuit grounded (HEI module failure)
42 Front oxygen sensor lean error (Cadillac MFI)
43 ESC control failure, spark retard too long
43 TPS out of adjustment
43 Knock sensor signal
43 Front oxygen sensor rich error (Cadillac MFI)
44 Oxygen sensor lean error
45 Oxygen sensor rich error
46 Power steering pressure switch fault (4 cylinder)
46 VATS alert
46 Right/left fuel balance error (Cadillac DFI)
47 ECM failure
47 A/C clutch and Cruise Control circuit
48 Misfire diagnosis
48 EGR fault (Cadillac)
49 MAP sensor low error
51 ECM, PROM, or MEM-CAL failure
52 ECM or CALPAK failure
53 System over voltage - over 17.1 volts
53 EGR sensor fault, improper EGR vacuum (Carbureted)
53 Distributor signal fault (Cadillac HT4100)
53 VATS alert (5.0L TBI)
54 Fuel pump voltage low (below 2 volts) (EFI/TPI/SFI)
54 M/C solenoid failure (Carbureted)
55 ECM failure (poor connections or failed ECM)
55 Oxygen sensor failure
55 Fuel lean monitor error (Corvette 5.7L P)
56 Vacuum sensor circuit (Corvette Port throttle system)
56 Coolant level low
56 Quad driver B circuit (3.8L)
56 VATS alert (Cadillac)
58 PASS key fuel enable circuit
58 VATS alert
60 Transmission not in drive (Cadillac)
61 Oxygen sensor failure
61 Cruise Control vent valve solenoid fault (3.8L)
61 Secondary part throttle valve (Corvette Port throttle system)
62 Transaxle gear switch (3.1L V6, Quad 4)
62 Oil temperature sensor fault (Corvette 5.7L P)
62 Cruise Control vacuum circuit fault (3.8L)
63 MAP sensor voltage high, low vacuum/open circuit (2.8L)
63 EGR flow check (3.8L)
63 Right side oxygen sensor open error (Corvette 5.7L P)
64 MAP sensor voltage low - high vacuum/short circuit (2.8L)
64 EGR flow check (3.8L)
64 Right side oxygen sensor lean error (Corvette 5.7L P)
65 Fuel injection circuit fault (Quad 4)
65 EGR flow check (3.8L)
65 Cruise Control servo position sensor fault (3.8L)
65 Right side oxygen sensor rich error (Corvette 5.7L P)
66 A/C pressure switch low pressure (1991 +)
66 ECM fault
67 Cruise Control switch failure
67 A/C pressure switch low pressure (Chevrolet)
68 A/C relay circuit fault (Chevrolet)
68 Cruise Control system fault
69 A/C clutch circuit fault (Chevrolet)
69 A/C pressure switch high pressure
70 Intermittent TPS signal (Cadillac)
71 Intermittent MAP sensor signal (Cadillac)
72 Gear selector switch fault (Chevrolet)
73 Intermittent coolant sensor signal (Cadillac)
74 Intermittent MAT sensor signal (Cadillac)
75 Intermittent VSS signal (Cadillac)
80 TPS idle learn mode (Cadillac 4.6)
80 Fuel system rich (Cadillac)
81 Camshaft position sensor reference fault (Cadillac)
82 Camshaft position reference signal high (Cadillac)
83 *Reserved
84 *Reserved
85 Idle throttle angle too high (Cadillac)
85 TBI service required (Cadillac)
88 ECM fault (‘85 & up)
95 Engine stall detected (Cadillac)
99 Power management, Cruise Control fault (Cadillac)
107 PCM /BCM data link defect
108 PROM checksum error
109 PCM memory reset (Cadillac)
110 Generator ‘L’ terminal circuit fault (Cadillac)
112 EEPROM failure (Cadillac)
131/132 Knock sensor failure (Cadillac)
A/C Air Conditioning MAF Mass Air Flow sensor
BARO Barometric sensor (Carbureted engine MAP) MAP Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor
BCM Basic Control Module MAT Manifold Air Temperature sensor
CALPAK Calibration Package (early PROM substitute) MEM-CAL Memory Calibration module (early PROM substitute)
CTS Coolant Temperature Sensor MFI Multi-port Fuel Injection
DFI Digital Fuel Injection M/C Mixture Control servo
DIS Distributorless Ignition System PCM Programmable Control Module
ECM Electronic Engine Control Module PROM Programmable Read-Only Memory module
EEPROM Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory module PSM Pressure Switch Manifold
EFI Electronic Fuel Injection SFI Sequential multi-pot Fuel Injection
EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve TBI Throttle Body Injection
ESC Electronic Spark Control (HEI ignition) TCC Torque Converter Clutch
EST Electronic Spark Timing control TPI Tuned-Port Induction
HEI High Energy Ignition distributor module TPS Throttle Position Sensor
IAC Idle Air Control VATS Vehicle Anti-Theft System
ISC Idle Speed Control VSS Vehicle Speed Sensor
ÎLocate Diagnostic Connector;
ÏShort pins ‘B’ & ‘A’;
ÐTurn ignition key to ‘ON’ (Do not Start!);
ÑRead ‘CHECK ENGINE’ light flashes for code indication;
One flash, pause, two flashes = CODE 12
Three flashes, pause, one flash = CODE 31
Diagnostic connector
All information is complied from General Motors publications and is correct at time of publication. ®
©World Wide Data Service, Ltd. Rockford, Illinois USA

 

Well I went out there and cleared all the codes by disconnecting the battery. So I did that and tried cranking it over and no go. I disconnected the injectors and put my foot to the floor and tried starting it that way thinking that it could still be flooded from earlier today (it was 3:00 and now its 8:00) and it still wouldn't start. I checked for codes and I have none now but the motherf-cker still won't go. Think it could still be to flooded from earlier in the day?

 

The code 33 was probably when I had that vacumm lined disconnected.

Code 44 I am not sure why its saying lean when I see a bunch of fuel being dumped down there.

Code 53 is probably from me trying to start it

Code 54, probably the same reason as 53.

 

Since 53 appears to be something related to VATS, that would definately prevent it from starting. I don't recall exactly what happens when the "VATS check" doesn't work, but I believe it cuts fuel or spark, one of the two. That could possible be related to the code 54. It definately sounds like it's related to the VATS anti-theft though. Check the tech articles and the boards, there's plenty of information on troubleshooting it. For a quick test (this worked for a couple people), try using a spare factory key if you have one. The resistor on yours may just be dead.


Kyle

 

Ok, just checked my plugs and they are completely BLACK and I have no spark. What now?

 

Just checked for spark at my coil too and no spark from that.

 

I checked all my fuses and there good. You think my computer may have went bad?

 

I'm not sure if fuel injected Camaros have ignition modules, but I'd check that. No spark has always lead me to the module. It's inside the distributor cap.

 

Another guy suggested it might be the ignition module. Said when i was running it without that plug wire on the dist. cap it might have screwed things up in the module. How do I know if its bad or not?

 

ONly way to check the module is to take it out of the distributor, and take it to a store that tests them.
Some of your larger auto parts stores, have testers and will usually test them for free.

 

dude if you are getting a ocde for VATS that is why it is no t staring not the ignition module or anything else. If you get a code for Vats that is the problem.

 

Well how would I go about fixing it and why would my car run so rich and ****ty? BEcuase of VATS?

 

It is not running correct? If you mean fuel on the spark plugs that is because VATS is cutting the ignition. It could very likely be that the chip in your key took a dump. I am not sure about the 3rd gens but on 4th gens there is a common problem of the wires breaking in the igntion lock. But no matter what you test if there is a code for VATS that is the prob. Or you could get a chip made that would eliminate VATS.

 

No i mean when I took it from the mechanics it was sputrin and spittin at idle.

 

Try your feul pump relay.

 

When you turn your key forward does the security light come on then shut off or does it keep blinking?

 

it was sputering because U said that one of the ignition wires was loose, electricity takes the shortest and least restrictive route to a ground, if yer wire was loose it was probably going to the block rather than the spark plug.... check all of your wires too, Once you get the car started, open ypour hood somewhere where it is pitch black with no light and you will be able to see if any of your wires are arching to eachother or to the frame/body/motor.... mine sort of arch out of the boot and too the block sometimes which makes it idle like **** and loose performance.

 

I don't see how these wires would let any electrical current out. There MSD 8.5mm Superconducters. And it ran like crap even after I plugged the wire back on and that was disconnect from the dist. cap , not the plug.


And the secruity thing comes on and then shuts off when I turn the key in the on position. Sounds normal.

 

Well it looks like it was just the coil. It was hard to diagnose though. Anyways, the dealership ran a diagonstic check and they said it was my coil. They wanted 60 for the coil and 80 for labor and 57 for the diagnostic check, I told them I will buy and do the coil myself. Bought a MSD coil for 35 bucks and will install it myself when it comes in wenesday.

 

When the VATS kicks in, it will engauge the starter and that IS IT! The Security light comes on and the car is dead. No Cranking, just for those with non-VATS cars. I have 4 ignition keys for mine, one has a bad resistor and every once in a while it trips the VATS, the Keys are $31/ea at the dealer, so i just keep that as a spare.

Jay

 

karfreek, it was a good idea, but it was the coil. read the post above.