my car (1987 trans am 5.7) has been to the mechanic multiple times, all for the same reason. today was my third time driving it home, and on the highway the SES light came on, but the car was still driving like it should be. it was mostly highway and i got 10 mpg with pretty much just staying with traffic. the car has been running rich for a while and im pretty sure it is again. how do i check to see what code is being thrown? i know i can just use a paperclip to figure it out, but i have no clue where i do it to see the code.
thanks to all for the help

 

It will flash a series of long and short flashes. you can google a list of the number references.

 

ok well i just checked the codes, and it came back with three different ones. 32, 43 and 45. i know that 32 is the EGR system and 43 is the ESC and 45 means its running rich. ive heard that 32 is a pita to do, and is 45 just a side effect of one of the other codes?

 

Just check all the vaccum lines to the egr, make sure all is hooked up good, with no splits or anything. When mine did it, I just took it off and cleaned it out with carb cleaner, then reinstalled it with a new gasket. Viola!

 

oh wow, that sounds pretty easy to do. this might sound like a dumb question but this is my first car so cut me some slack haha. but where exactly is the egr? and how would i find a new gasket for one? would i need to order one from hawks? or just pick one up from autozone or somethin?
thanks for the help

 

My autozone has them. Is your car TPI? If it is I cant help with the location, mine is TBI. If it is TBI, take your air cleaner off, and it will be the little mushroom looking canister behind and to the left of the throttle body.

 

sadly it is TPI. well at least i have a good chance of the gasket being at autozone. time to call and ask to see. maybe ill put in a google search to see if i can find the location.

 

I know its somewhere on your intake manifold. Should be two bolts holding it on, and I think yours should have a wire going to it.(some of the later models didnt.)

 

oh ok so it sounds like ill need to take off the plenum. do you think it would be easiest to just switch out the ESC module for a new one for the code 43?

 

Code 43 means Knock Sensor or ESC fault. I would take a look at your knock sensor as well and make sure it hasn't been damaged over time, along with making sure that the connector is in good shape as well.

Your EGR valve is directly underneath your plenum. Autozone should sell a gasket pack for the plenum/runners/throttle boddy, and if memory serves it's around $11.