My engine is having troubles and I have no clue as to what it is i am hoping someone can give me a hint.
Here is the scenario.
I start it up it idles fine, I drive 30 minutes to work @55-65mph. I stopped at 2 lights, at the 3rd light it died and would not start again!? I tried to start it till the battery was dead, left blinkers on, went to call for help, tried to start 1 hr later, battery was totally dead, left for 20 min and called tow truck, tow truck arrived and I tried to start for the hell of it, started first try and idled perfect. What in the hell could that mean? Also this is in 0-30 degree weather

I know of one problem on the car the thermostat is broken (stuck open) but I don't think that could cause that. The only other clue I have is that the service engine light comes on @ about 40-45mph. Any suggestions on what to check would be greatly appreciated, thanks

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85 POS
92 RS

 

For starters, scan the ECM to see what code your service light is sending you.

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92 Camaro RS LO3, 5-spd, T-tops
Mechanics:
Open Air Element w/K&N Filter, Flowmaster 3" Cat-back Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-90 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs and 4 Infiniti speakers.
NEXT UP: SLP 1 3/4" Headers/Y-pipe, Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch kit

 

I'll bite and say the code will be for your EGR, that's code #32 I think? (Your motor has a digital EGR as opposed to my vacuum-controlled EGR, the error codes might be different). If the EGR is stuck open when the car comes to a stop, the car will stall. Possibly when your car sat for a while waiting for the tow, the EGR valve relaxed back into a closed position, and let the car start.

Oh- EGR = Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve. It lets exhaust back into the "intake" air, in order to lower NOx emissions. This only comes on when the car's warm, at low RPM, but at high (road) speed- meaning, it comes on when you're driving normally on a highway. If it stays open at idle, too much exhaust gas is sucked into the motor, and the motor dies due to lack of fresh intake air.

Go here for info on getting your computer's error codes out:
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/f...gen.shtml#misc

Feel free to check out our V6 board on thirdgen.org too!


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

Ok got the trouble codes for my car today, the faq is a little vauge on what year cars need what pins jumpered 6&12 or 5&6, 5&6 worked for me. Anyway I got a code 43 and 45

43. Low voltage at electronic spark timing circuit

45. Oxygen sensor rich

Could these two problems be causing the dying?

Now I am wondering if someone could tell me how to check these problems and correct them. Thanks for the help so far!


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85 POS
92 RS

 

When was the last time you had a tune up? Sounds like you are not getting enough spark into your cylinders, allowing unburned gases to get into the exhaust, which causes your 02 sensor to fault on the rich side.

Check/replace your plugs, wires, distributor, coil...if your 02 is still getting rich readings, check for good fuel pressure, vacuum leaks, then replace the 02 sensor

 

What kind of shape is your batt in? If the car idels a long time and the charging system is under a load it is remotely possible, but unlikely, that the car can stall.

Because the batt was dead and the code 43 is seems your car stalled because of low voltage to the ignition system. After sitting a while your battery regenerated enough power to start the car. I would keep an eye on the voleage meter and consider having the bat and charging system tested.

 

Just bought the car and I have no garage so I've been procrastinating on doing a tune up cause it's 30 degrees out + wind chill brrr....

Any links on how to check those things?
Fuel Pressure and Vacuum Leaks?

Also the battery had enough power to turn the engine over and it would start for a split second then die again....

Thanks for the info

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85 POS
92 RS