ok this is whats wrong my sisters 90Regal is spitting out error codes 15, 21, 43, 53. 15 i am not worried about yet the rest all deal with the TPS setting being too high, TPS out of adjustment and system voltage high respectfuly. so my question is how do i adjust the TPS so that it is not too high and in adjustment and what is the system voltage and how do i turn it down? also once the work is completed will the computer erase the error codes on its on or do i need to do something special with it.Thanks TINFY

 

You may not have an adjustable TPS on the Regal, but if you do hook up your DVOM to the wire coming out of the "B" terminal. I am not sure of the exact voltage for your application but on my '89 Cavalier it is .5 volt with throttle closed, ignition key on, and with the throttle wide open the voltage should be apprx 5 volts.
You can erase the codes by removing the ECM fuse or by disconnecting the ground wire from the battery and waiting a couple of minutes.

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"84Z28/'91 305TPI comp cam flowmaster TB coolant bypass/shutoff valve to heater core MAT relocated Ram-Air(home-made) gutted air-box IROC ground effects/wheels GY245/50's 700R4 superior shift kit/ corvette servo(excellent shift kit BTW) Rebuilt engine and transplanted it myself. Love this engine!
LOW performance people should drive low performance vehicles!

 

TINFY,

The '53' may be the root of the problem. If the system voltage exceeds 17.1 VDC for more than 1 second the code will set. The high voltage may also skew the inputs of the ECM, thus the TPS would be too high (21) and the TPS would be considered out of adjustment (43) and the CTS may be reporting too low a temperature since the input voltage on the terminal would be higher than normally possible (the CTS resistance increases as temperature decreases, so the CTS wouldn't ground enough voltage to be within an acceptable range).

Have you checked the alternator output voltage lately? It is either over 17.1VDC (or was for a brief period) or has an AC contingent in the output due to a failing diode in the rectifier bridge. Check the output directly from the positive stud on the alternator on both the DC and AC ranges using a good digital meter. Either way, you might be looking for a new alternator.

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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

On the 3.1 Its a non adjustible one

 

ok i dont have the tools needed with me to do that kind of diagnostics could a parts store or some place with the machine that checks the altenator and battery tell if it is charging too high. the volt gauge inside the car which is digital wasnt reading too high when i looked at it but like you said if it did for more than a second then it will set off the codes and since i was not around when it started messing up then i cant say i hasnt gone over. ok if the TPS is non adjustable then what happens if the factory adjustment is out on it. do i need to get a new one?TINFY

 

TINFY,

Reinitialize (clear) the ECM and see if the codes repeat.

One way to cause a TPS error on a non-adjustable TBI or TPI is to adjust the minimum idle air position incorrectly. If someone tried to increase the idle speed by turning the throttle stop adjustment screw, your TPS may read out of range, causing the DTC.

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Later,
Vader
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"Make Me Bad"
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

[This message has been edited by Vader (edited September 14, 2000).]

 

on this peticular engine the tps isn't adjusted, but is learned by the ecm. performing an idle learn procedure allows the ecm to learn where 0% and 100% throttle is according to tps voltage.

 

ok so what your saying zippy is that basically if i do this idle learn procedure it will recalibate the TPS. so that it will no longer need adjustment but what about the voltage too high code. and how do i do this idle learn procedure.Thanks TINFY

oh yea i took the car and had the altenator checked and it is fine also i tried removing the ECM fuse for about ten minuets to see if it would clear the codes but i didnt. anymore suggestions.

 

i'll check to see if it can be done without a scanner. i use the tech 1 to perform this. as far as the high voltage code, that i can't say it will fix, but if your not noticing abnormally high voltage and getting the code, the ecm may be bad.

 

Whats up man? Haven't heard from you in a long time. When you get a chance, check out the link in my sig. Anyway, about your problem, I have come across 3.1's that were adjustable, but the problem was, people were trying to adjust them and they didn't need adjusting. Does your car have the coolant level sensor in the rad? Try unplugging it and resetting the computer. I have seen a couple of cars w/ the sensor in the rad. shorted out and pulling the 5V ref used by other sensors down. Try that and see what happens.

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"I used to have a handle on life, but then I used it as a plunger and broke it" -The Wave

ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA
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'97 Bonneville SSE

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hey GM Tech man i was wondering if you were still going to be around. good to hear from you. i am not sure where the coolant sensor is i havent looked. right now the car is at a good year up here in Athens appearently the car just off and died on my sister at a stop light before this she was telling me that the car didnt feel as powerful or responsive as it used to be. i drove it and thought the same thing but since i dont drive it regularly i wasnt sure. but all this could be related to the TPS being out of adjustment. man this can get confussing. i really do like old carbed engines. anyway ill have to talk to her and see what the shop has said and if it gets fixed there if not ill let yall know.TINFY

 

the site looks pretty good. i just wish there was more of a demand for clubs in savannah, but with the track closing in Feb doesnt seem worth it. i tell you i was in vidalia one weekend and man they cruise up and down the main road all night makes me wish i had taken my 79TA out there. i went to Commerce for the heck of it tonight and i like that town with the 1/4 mi strip up there i saw a few street cars and some club stickers on windows too. i cant wait to get SFCs and a shift kit so i can get up there and run my car. anyway ill keep yall posted.TINFY