I just replaced my ignition coil, cap, plugs, wires, pickup coil and ignition module in my 84 T/A w/ L69. I timed it very well and it ran great for about 2 months. Then one morning it had a hard time starting and the check engine light came on for 42-EST. Now it runs but it idles at about 550-600, the tach flickers sometimes, and there's a severe lack of power w/ hesitation. What the F$@# is going on? Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks

 

sounds like the EST wire that you unplugged to set the timing came unplugged again.

 

That would mean it would be running in bypass mode, using the ignition module for timing instead of the ETC/ECU right? I'll check that

 

Yeah, that wire is secure and insulation seems good.

 

Only other thing I can think of is...

driver side firewall, where the fuel pump and electric fan relay are at, there is another connector there that plugs into the EST module - make sure that connection is good and secure

and make sure the wire connector to the dist is good and secure

Then disconnect the battery for 5 minutes to reset the EC and codes, and see what happens.

 

Sorry - just noticed you have a different year/motor than I thought - this EST module might be elsewhere - that's just where it was at on my 1992 TBI car.

 

Yep the L69 has the EST module in that spot, I'll check it out. Thanks

 

I was told that my problem may be that the ignition module at the base of the distributor may be loose because the connector broke (which they usually do) and it wiggled itself out of a good connection. Any ideas?