Ok, I dont know if posted this yet, but here goes...got this code reader from walmart for 20 bucks. Seems like every time i go from here to jersey, when changing altiutdes, my service engine soon light comes on. It could stay on anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 miles. And then it shuts off, never to come on again during the trip. Its about 2-2 1/2 hr trip. I notice NO performance differences at this time. What i do notice is each time i start the car, it wants to, and DOES stall. Especially when the engine is cold...it just wants to die..i have to keep hitting the gas, but it doesnt always work...as i keep hitting the gas, sometimes, the car wants to stall so badly, it shakes violently, then dies out. This happens when the engine is warm sometimes too, but its not as bad...i experience a VERY low RPM, with my interior lights dimming, my voltage meter down, and my turn signals blinking slower than 10-pounds of s*** in a 5-pound bag being thrown at your neighbor. Anyway, i hooked up this code puller, and it gave me the code "32" which was described as either being the barometric pressure sensor circuit-failure, or the egr valve, or some kind a vacumn sensor. Can you shed any light as to what i should do in order to avoid shelling out lots of $$? Can i replace these parts cheap or do i need someone to do it? The car is an 86 305 with a TPI. Or could it be something else? Your thoughts would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.

BTW:I have all new plugs, battery, and distributor cap.

------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

Phantom,

Wow, twenty bucks for a paper clip - that's worse than the increase in the price of fuel. If you had searched the archives, you would have found a lot of references to code scanners and retrieving error codes (DTCs).

You'll need that extra twenty bucks to put toward repairing the EGR system, I'm sure.



------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

Vader...

Well, i saw this thing and of course grabbed it without thinking...my mistake, i should have come here first. But you think its the EGR? I just hope whatever it is, i can do the fix myself. Thanks. Anyone else?



------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

Amazing what this board has to offer eh? I think you will find this interesting:

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...diagnose.shtml

------------------
"Education is the art of making man ethical.

-George Hegel

 

Red Devil...

THANK YOU MUCH!!!

IF anyone else does have any more ideas or opinions, for the sake of elimination of possible problems, headaches and cussing at my beloved 3rd-gen, I'm all eyes...

------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH



[This message has been edited by PhantomTPI (edited April 06, 2001).]

 

Oh hellyeah, code 32. I remember this happening in the '91 LO3. Happened only when I was cruzin above 65, then the evil amber beacon would rear it's ugly inscription. Easy fix, new EGR. Myself, I put a new solenoid on too just to eliminate variables.
I know this is against the written word, but I threw one of those Tomco-blow EGR's on there, does good so far, but I barely drive the LO3 in favor of the '84 L69 (see sig)

------------------
DR Stevens
1984 Trans Am 305HO L69
sucks gas, hauls ***
1991 Firebird 305 LO3
for days when I need a/c

 

84,

That isn't the worst possible solution. The aftermarket "universal" replacement valves can work if you make sure you carefully install the correct oriface washer, then stake it in very well. This process does introduce more variables, I know, and the surest way to eliminate those is with an original design valve, removing all doubt. Still, the aftermarkets CAN work.

------------------
Later,
Vader
------------------
"I'm'a do Things My Way - It's My way or the Highway."
Adobe Acrobat Reader

 

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my post. I really do appreciate all the help I will go and replace the EGR asap. One more thing i didnt mention, but should have...9 times out of 10 when i start the car...hot, cold, warm, whatever....it doesnt want to start right away like it should...i mean, it takes a few seconds(like 5 or so before the engine turns over. A small tap of the gas pedal helps usually. I have a new starter i just put in there because the old one was worn from this process i imagine. New platinum plugs by the way, as i said in my first post. This couldnt be the EGR, could it? This sounds more like, and i suspect either the injectors, and/or fuel pump. I tried some of that octane booster crap from NOS...increases your octane up to 7 points(i used the race formula)..it says that it helps to clean injectors...but my car still does this almost everytime i try to start it. Occaisionally, it starts up instantly...but thats rare. Any thoughts on this? Sorry i didnt mention this before. Thank you all again for your help.



------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

BTW EightTfour...

You hit the bullzeye! Thats EXACTLY when that damn evil amber beacon would come on....see, for half the trip almost, the speed limit is 65mph...i usually do 70-75 most of the way...its all freeway too...and thats the ONLY time my engine light comes on...like i said...anywhere from 30 seconds to 10 miles...i gotta replace that EGR....



------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH

 

hehe, mine only does it from 60-70, I haven't figured out why. I don't have any problems with it at any other time, so I just ignore it.

 

Try cleaning out the TB and intake with some throttle body cleaner, usually that will cure the starting blues. Theres a bunch of other things it could be, but I would try that first.

Vader is right about the aftermarket valves, but picking the right washer out of the set they give you is just so much fun. For what it cost, it was easier for the parts store I worked at to sell the AC Delco valves rather than an aftermarket and a set of fun in a baggie. IIRC the price was within a few bucks. Dealing with the super cheapo repair shops and actually not having a problem selling them the AC valve should be enough reason for you to save the trouble as well.

 

To Madmax and everyone else who posted...

Thank you for all your help...i really do appreicate the advice. I will look for an AC DELCO EGR valve, no aftermarket stuff...and i will try that throttle body cleaner. I hope this will put an end to the mystery of "will it start right this time?" everyday. BTW, it did the same thing tonight, on a totally cold engine..had to start it 3 times. VERY annoying. Once again, thank you to all that posted a response and all your help.

------------------
1986 WS6-Equipped 5.0 TPI Trans Am
Random Tech High-Flow Cat
Two Chamber Flowmaster Muffler
Megs Custom 4.5" Stainless Steel Tips
1999 Grand Am GT In-Dash CD Player w/Equalizer(fits like '86 original)
5% Tint On Rear, 35% On Sides

OTHER RIDE:
1998 C5 6Spd. Corvette
Silver w/Gray Leather Int.
12/14 Options
Stock(for now)
Best 1/4th: 13.5 @ 104.4MPH