Been having a starting issue w/ my 87 IROC. Been giving me a code 54 along w/ some MAF codes.

Did some research on the code 54 and found that my fuel pump relay could be bad. W/O having to change the pump, which aslo could be the culprit, I've decided to try the relay first.

Where is the relay located? Isnt it on the fire wall near the brake booster?

 

There is two of them, might as well replace both.
One is burnoff and the other is MAF power. They should
be in a weatherpack style relay near the brake booster. I think Burnoff/fuel pump are shared and MAF power is seperate.

I can't guarantee placement indentifcation, they get
tossed and swapped around alot. But ..mine was the
far left and middle relay on the relay bank driver side.

 

check w/ oreilly's and they have the fuel pump relay but not the maf. any idea where to go and get it at?

 

NAPA or Car Quest had 'em regularly when
I was troubleshooting my Code 33. Also try
Checker Shucks Kragen, whatever area your
in will have one of those names.

It's Checker our here in Arizona.

 

I found both of them through TPI parts. Should be here in 2-3 days. Ill post results when the parts get here.

Will changing the MAF relay possibly fix any MAF related codes? I am having issues w/ MAF codes as well. Trying to troubleshoot these issues w/o spending a ton of $$$$.

 

It could very well solve your problem, Unless it lies elsewhere.

Most of the time if we are lucky, it tends to be a bad
burnoff relay sending a high air flow reading at the sensor,
or the MAF power relay is no longer supplying power to
the sensor. Then, it'll run in limp home mode until it is
corrected, they are hard codes stored in the ECM
regardless if the SES light illuminates.

What MAF codes were thrown? '33' or '34'?

The Code '54'.. Im not sure, does your fuel pump prime
when turning you key a quarter? If it does, Id rule out
the relay being your problem with the pump.

You got a fuel pressure gauge handy?

 

One or both MAF codes have been thrown recently. I think 34 is what I have now sending a high air flow reading to ECM was what the code was described as.

No I can not hear the pump prime when key is turned. I dont think I could ever hear it though. Once I do get the car started itll run fine which is why Im thinking its the relay.

No pressure gauge handy. Im still trying to replace all the tools I lost during Hurricne Katrina.

 

Replaced the two relays and she fired right up. Still think the MAF is going out.

 

Good news, that is usually the case.

Id be sure before going out and replacing it that the
circuit and grounds are all satisfactory. Ive had this
issue and Vader posted up a great troubleshoot/diagnosis
chart.

Also, Id steer clear of the Cardone remanufactured
MAF sensors at the local auto stores.. Id had gotten
3 bad units in a row, and it was a severe waste of time
& energy..

Glad the relays seem to change the condition, was
your original MAF descreened?

 

had a bosch replacment in it when I bought her. I descreened it myself and added some K&Ns at the same time.

 

K&N oil charged air filters + Descreened MAF= Oil backing up on sensing wire FTL.

 

Well yesterday the car ran like crap on the way to work. SES light came on and checked the codes and they were the same I got b4 I replaced the relays. hasnt done it since, acutally can has ran great since then. so now Im lik WTF is going on........

 

Starting to get the same problems w/ the car I had before I changed the relays. Same codes are now back and runs like crap at least once a day, oddly usually around the same time everyday.

Other than that onr time a day the car runs fine all others.

bad ground maybe ????
MAF bad maybe ???

Also whats the third relay along w/ the other 2 near the brake booster?

 

Radiator fan