The Culprit-1986 Z28
-305tpi
-Auto Trans

CODE 32 that WON'T GO AWAY.

I am really starting to lean towards my ECM on this hair pulling problem of mine. I have been trying to resolve this issue for quite sometime now. The EGR valve is new, and the intake and head passage is cleaned out. The EGR solenoid is new, the vacuum lines are new and double checked NUMEROUS times for leaks. No leaks present. If I pull the vacuum sorce hose from the throttle body to the solenoid, and have someone rev the engine some, I get vacuum, so the throttle body passage isn't clogged. I can pull the EGR vacuum line and have someone rev the engine, and again, it draws good vacuum. I have hooked a vaccum gauge to the EGR valve, It will hold all the vacuum I can dish at it, and just SLOOOOWLY drop, as it should over a period of time. The temp switch is new, and just for kicks, I put back in the old temp switch since I never had a problem with it before. No difference, it still throws the code. What is the easiest way for me to check the wire from the temp switch to the ecm? I assume from the temp switch connector to a pin at the ecm? Can someone tell me which pin it is? ALL suggestions would help immensly. THANK YOU!

 

Is this a completely stock engine and ECM? If so, this might apply:

A copy of a General Motors TSB for ‘86 LB9

CHEVROLET/PONTIAC ROUGH IDLE, CHUGGLE, LOW SPEED. Page: 1
86-6(GAS)-66 Issued: 10/17/86
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
1986 CAMARO/FIREBIRD VEHICLES WITH 5.0L LB9
TPI ENGINE (ENGINE CODE F)

New service calibrators (Ref: Called Mem-Cal In Shop Manual) have been
released for the 1986 Camaros/Firebirds with the 5.OL TPI engine. These
new calibrators will address the following customer comments:

1. "Rough Idle" on both hot and cold engine - the idle speed is raised to 650
plus or minus 50 RPM.

2. "Chuggle or Shudder" at low speeds - torque converter clutch (TCC)
engagement speed is raised to 41 MPH.

3. "Hesitation" on light acceleration with a hot engine.

4. "Cold Driveability" - New calibration eliminates light to moderate sag on
cold driveaway.

5. "Service Engine Soon” Lights - Eliminates the following false Codes:

A. Code 32 - EGR System failure
B. Code 33 - Mass Airflow Sensor Voltage High
C. Code 34 - Mass Airflow Sensor Voltage Low
D. Code 43 - Electronic Spark Control
E. Code 44 - Lean Exhaust Indication

If normal engine diagnostics and repair do not correct the above conditions,
it will be necessary to replace the calibrator in the ECM. Below is a listing
of the new calibrators and their usages.

ON AIR CONDITIONING (C-6O) CAMAROS/FIREBIRDS

With QYZ (P215/65 R 15/N 15" Tire) Use - 1228290 Calibrator
With QAC (P235/60 VR 15N Tire) Use - 1228291 Calibrator
With QDZ (P245/50 VR 16N Tire) Use - 1228291 Calibrator

ON NON-AIR CONDITIONING (C-41) CAMAROS/FIREBIRDS

With QYZ (P215/65 R 15/N 15" Tire) Use - 1228292 Calibrator
With QAC (P235/60 VR 15N Tire) Use - 1228293 Calibrator
With QDZ (P245/50 VR 16N Tire) Use - 1228293 Calibrator

Use Applicable Labor Time and Operation Numbers.

 

thank you for this information vader, funny thing is that my tcc also seems to engage too early and makes the car "chug" like this says. I will be looking into this ASAP. Thank you again. I will post back with my findings to let anyone else out there that may be having a similar problem.

 

oh, and yes the engine is stock except for hooker 2055's and air pump delete.

 

Any update on this?
Does your engine run lean and backfire after the EGR code is thrown during driving conditions?

Lou

 

well, my update so far is this. Vader. THANKS A TON on the TSB you posted. That did cure two problems I had and could never figure out. The new prom fixed my torque converter issue with it locking up too early, and the car does run MUCH better on a cold start up. However, my EGR code remains. I had posted a thread in the ECM section, but it hasn't gauged much intrest apparently. In there I had said how my scanner reports info to me, such as the coolant temp sensor reading anywhere from -40 to normal temps constantly, same with the IAT sensor. The TPS is reading whacked out voltages, and I am now going to replace my ecm, soon as I get the cash flow lol. All my wiring is good, and all my sensors are new, PLUS data is only read like this in OPEN loop mode. When the engine enters closed loop, everything reads normal. lol. So....I think its safe to say my ECM is screwy.

 

When did the ECM start throwing the EGR code? After the header install?

Lou

 

No, it was doing it before that. Is there something about headers that makes some cars throw the code?

 

U have varied scattered issues going on?

Might I suggest to you to clean both battery connections thouroughly.

Then move to the rear of each cylinder head and remove and clean and tighten all ground wires attached to both.

Also access to a factory manual is priceless, hit one up on ebay or helms.inc. Even if you buy new it will pay for itself in self made repairs.

later
Jeremy

 

It would have been good know that earlier. 3.8TA is all over it. Those symptoms points toward a wiring problem, specifically with the 5V reference voltage from the ECM and/or ECM grounding at the engine. "Wiring problem" includes connections at the ECM itself, so don't overlook those.

 

But why would it only read like this in Open loop on a cold start up, then read normal when in closed loop?? Wiring is not my strong point obviously, lol. The wiring harness has already been removed from the car and reconditioned by tpi parts.net, and was installed with GREAT CARE, about 3 months ago. I have already even double checked the grounds on the back of the cylinder heads. All is clean and tight. I did check the ECM connectors, and all the pins appear fine, not bent, corroded, loose, etc.

 

I have the exact same problem, light on when cold .Then after car heats up a little and is restarted light goes off. 85 305 TPI TA .I can't find the problem either.

 

Your problem just ounds like a faulty egr temp switch, next tim eyou got to start it cold, disconnect it. I bet the light wont come on when youstart it up.