Well, I'm driving home from school and honestly I really do baby my car most of the time. I was curious about my car shifting into OD at WOT. (1991 Firebird LO3) Needless to say, it doesn't, lol. My car feels like it runs really strong for an LO3. I've driven my friend's 84' Vette and the LO3 isn't to far behind the stock CFI setup in his car. My engine runs strong and smoothly, but the SES light came on. First time ever for me. I want to know how to check the code. Like when to do it, and how to do it. I turned my car off when I got home and when I restarted it the light wasn't on. It just started and I want to take care of the problem early. Thanks. (P.S. Please explain the whole process of checking codes as simple as possible. I know a good deal about engines and am good with electrical stuff and have done some of my own work, but I've never messed with the ecm.)

 

I 99% sure your solution is in the faq's.Just look around.I think its under miscellaneaous or under all gen. Faq somewhere.Good Luck!

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1985 Firechicken
2.8 v6
Mods:
TB Coolant Bypass
My own kik @$$ dual intake
Freshly Painted(bright metallic blue)
Mods to come:
Either an 80 series flows or super turbo dynomax.Cant decide!
An engine is like a person,to scream it has to exhale hard -Flowmaster

 

SB,


First, you'll need to acquire a GM OBD I ECM Diagnostic Trouble Code Retrieval Tool (commonly known as a paper clip to TGO members).

With the engine and ignition turned off, locate the ALDL connector under the dash, just to the right of the steering wheel in the driver's foot well area. There should be a small rectangular cover over the access hole in the lower dash trim.



Insert a tool as described above (paper clip) into the 'A' and 'B' terminals on the ALDL connector:



WITHOUT STARTING the engine, turn the ignition to the "RUN" position. Watch the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and it will begin to flash. This is also commonly called the "Service Engine Soon" or "SES" lamp. The first code will flash three times, and will usually be a code '12'. This is encoded by one flash of the lamp, a brief pause, then two successive flashes of the lamp. Each code will repeat three times, so you should see a "Code 12" flash three times. Any other error codes will follow in numerical order, and each code should flash three times. After all codes have been displayed three times, the "Code 12" will again flash three times, then all other codes will follow as described earlier. This cycle will continue until the jumper is removed or the ignition is turned off.

After you have made a note of all error codes, turn off the ignition and remove the jumper immediately. If you forget to remove the jumper and attempt to start the engine with it in place, you could damage the ECM. For this reason you should remove it immediately.

Once you have a note of all error codes, check this file for the decoding:

GM Error Codes.pdf.

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open/print the file.

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Later,
Vader
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"I cannot take this any more... Saying everything I've said before..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0

 

Vader, I love that dash setup...same as mine. I personally think that it is the coolest dash setup of any car I've been in. Second is that of an 88 Chevy One ton w/ the green dials.

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92 Bird 3.1L Auto
Best $750 I ever spent....

DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!

Kills:
93 Mustang LX (Before Mods)
98 or 99 Dodge Stratus (tough one, edged out at 40)


Close Calls
94 Grand Am 3.1 V6
92 Cavalier 3.1 V6
01 Porsche 911 Turbo (Had em till first gear)

Mods-Jet Stage 2 Performance Chip, Accel Cap/Rotor, Accel 8.8 MM Wires, Accell Coil, AC Delco Rapidfire Plugs, Dynomax Catback, K&N

AIM name OVRCLCK350

 

Thanks for the help Vader. It shows a code 43. It's the electronic spark control. This is what my haynes says: Check the voltage at the ECM A-B connector terminal B7; it should be over 6-volts unless the system is sensing detonation. Check for a loose connection. Replace the ESC sensor and/or module.
Could you please decifer that, lol? I don't even know where the ESC is located.

 

The ESC module is located on the driver's side firewall where all your relays are. It's a flat looking module with five or six wires in the plug if I remember right.

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89RS w/350 TPI; 69RS/SS w/450 HP 350/Muncie 4-Speed "Too weird to live, too rare to die."

 

SB,

Like Pat says, it's right here:



Check teh connections at the EST, EST bypass connector, knock sensor, and distributor.

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Later,
Vader
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"I cannot take this any more... Saying everything I've said before..."
Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0