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1991 GTA, code 53

Old Nov 27, 2018 | 10:05 AM
  #1  
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From: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Car: Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23
1991 GTA, code 53

Hope ssomeone can help, having issues with a 91 Trans Am GTA, while driving the ses light comes on, engine runs rough but if I keep revs up it will clear itself the ses goes out and runs normally, if I let revs drop the engine will stall. Engine will restart immediately with no ses and runs normally again, can go for 500-1000 miles before reoccurring. On the rare occasions ses stays on shows code 53. Once the ses light goes off no codes are stored.
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Old Nov 27, 2018 | 12:05 PM
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Have you had your alternator tested ?
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 01:24 PM
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From: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Car: Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

New battery and alternator fitted when problem first occurred, I have had system tested recently, all operating perfectly. At the moment it is just a 20-30 second inconvenience every few hundred miles, but would like to fix problem.
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 02:12 PM
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

My first thought was bad voltage regulator in the alternator.
the code 53 will throw is a high voltage is seen at the ecm for more than 2 seconds.
I wonder if a bad ecm could cause this problem. Since it’s intermittent I don’t know where else to tell you to start.
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 02:23 PM
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From: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Car: Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Me too, that's why I changed battery and alternator, next thought was ECM, unfortunately they're not that easy to get over here.
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 06:30 PM
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

You should look at RockAuto.com they do international shipping .
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 06:43 PM
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Here is a application list for your 1227730 ecm assuming you have tpi.
https://www.thirdgen.org/ecminterchange/
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 07:30 PM
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From: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Car: Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Thanks, never thought to look at rockauto, usually the first place I go for parts, not as expensive as I thought, even with core charge.
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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 07:51 PM
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Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Originally Posted by Tuned Performance
My first thought was bad voltage regulator in the alternator.
the code 53 will throw is a high voltage is seen at the ecm for more than 2 seconds.
I wonder if a bad ecm could cause this problem. Since it’s intermittent I don’t know where else to tell you to start.
My question would be this ; If an intermittent connection existed between the battery and alternator isn't it possible that as the connection went open the ECM would see a voltage spike as the intermittent connection opened ?

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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 07:59 PM
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

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Old Nov 28, 2018 | 08:14 PM
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From: Mile High Country !!!
Car: 1967 Camaro, 91 z28
Engine: Lb9
Transmission: M20
Axle/Gears: J65 pbr on stock posi 10bolt
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Originally Posted by OrangeBird
My question would be this ; If an intermittent connection existed between the battery and alternator isn't it possible that as the connection went open the ECM would see a voltage spike as the intermittent connection opened ?
im not sure, I do know the code 53 shows when 17 volts or higher is seen at the ecm. I’m assuming it’s on the constant power of the ecm not the switched ignition.
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Old Nov 29, 2018 | 06:32 AM
  #12  
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From: Pembrokeshire, Wales
Car: Trans Am GTA
Engine: 350
Transmission: Auto
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: 1991 GTA, code 53

Now you got me thinking, could it be as simple as a bad connection seeing as it is so intermittent and fault only lasts for a few seconds.
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