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ecm and engine problems

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Old Nov 8, 2001 | 03:43 PM
  #1  
84Camaro305's Avatar
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From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
ecm and engine problems

ECM: It's outputting a small voltage, so I think that it might be working, but it doesn't display error codes. The check engine light might be out, but I'm not sure. If anyone knows how to build something that can determine error codes from the terminal, that would help a lot.

Engine: My car is getting somewhere around 8 to 15 miles a gallon, it runs a bit rough, acceleration is slow, and it lacks power in general. I've changed the spark plugs, changed the oil, about to change the fuel filter. I have a new coolant temperature sensor, but I'd rather see if I can pull some error code out of the ecm before I mess w/ the sensor and can't take it back. If there's any way to check to see if the sensor works without going through the ecm, that would help. My car smokes in the mornings sometimes, especially if it hasn't been started in a few days. The idle also likes to change a lot. The engine is a 305 and has a carb. If there's anything else you need to know...tell me.
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Old Nov 8, 2001 | 05:55 PM
  #2  
ede's Avatar
ede
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if you want to test sensers buy a manual with the specs in it and follow the testing protocal. just a WAG but i'd look at a clogged converter. you should see the SES light when you do the KOEO test of the ALDL and get a code 12 if it has no codes stored and if it does then you'd get the code 12 for self test mode then the codes then code 12 again at the end of the test.

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Old Nov 8, 2001 | 07:14 PM
  #3  
84Camaro305's Avatar
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From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
It doesn't even display a code 12, it doesn't flash at all. I was wondering if there was any way to build some electrical device (even a simple one) to test it to see if there are any error codes in it. The check engine light may be out. Also, I seem to have a vacuum line that goes from the carb to the evap canister purge valve that has been sliced and had a bolt stuck in each end. Have any idea what that's aobut?
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Old Nov 8, 2001 | 09:48 PM
  #4  
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84,

All you need is a test light. Connect one end of the light to a 12VDC source (like the ignition) and the grounded (other) end to the ALDL terminal "D".



The test lamp will act just like the dash-mounted MIL lamp is supposed to.

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