some of you may remember me posting b4 with the CE coming on prob and the car running crappy when it happens. It would always give a 42 when I pulled the codes. To try and fix this I replaced all electronic components in the distributor, got a new coil which i mounted in a cooler position, basically did a full tune up with no luck. Then I said to hell with it and tried to sell it with no luck (only asking 800) so I finally decided to try something else and pulled the ECU to check the connections and check the board itself for any obvious signs of a short. It all looked good so I put it back together and take it for a drive, sure enough same thing, after 20 mins or so I get a CE flashing in time to a misfire or with lots of pinging, 90 percent of the time this happens when accelerating.
any ideas or do i start to beat it with whatevers handy?

 

My Helms book is buried under the mess I've been calling a room, the "shoveling out" is planned for tomorrow, but- how's the connection for the EST bypass connector? Could the pins be dirty, or the plastic retaining clip snapped off? Also what's the year and/or engine size?

 

Hey tom, its an 85 with a 2.8 v6 and auto tranny. Which one is the EST connector?
This is pretty frustrating, the car developed the problem a couple of months after I bought it and usually I always can figure out the prob with a car and do all my own work, this is like the 2nd car in 15 years that has left me at a loss. Oddly enough the other car was another chevy of around the same vintage with a 3.1 .
I only bought the damn thing because my GF has always wanted a camaro and I was trying to do something nice for an early anniversary present.

 

check for spark leak around the coil and other parts inthe dark.

 

already did that, then changed to all new parts anyway, i guess i can give it a shot again tonight.
this all started after the car was smog checked, which is weird. the smog tech did disconnect the timing connector but didnt adjust the timing since I had it set right already. Think that there might be a hint there? I'll recheck all the ignition component connections again later today.

 

hmmmmmmmm, antoher 85 not running right

 

Why, whats wrong with yours?

 

with the thought of it starting after smog check and them having to disconnect the EST wire before they can check, that's probably your problem. Checkt he connector right along the fiewall on the passenger side. It's rigth above the blower motor and sticks out from the wire loom. if he didn't snap it all the way (hey, most smog techs are lazy) hen you might be having problems there. something simple and stupid is probably the best solution...if all else fails, just kick it a few times to get your frustration out.

 

This:



Although not as nearly as bad now, still smokes out the rear, I really doubt it will pass e-check. Oh well, time for some TX tags

 

Well I checked connections and they were snapped in all the way, then I pulled them off and looked for corrosion or something, and it all looked fine. Keep the suggestions coming and I'll try stuff next weekend. Kicking it sounds good tho.

 

Hey TomP, it sounded like you planned to look some stuff up in your manual, ever find the thing?
Any V6 camaro experts in the monterey county, california area?

 

Don't suppose the ECU went bad? It can happen, but not very often. Sometimes if they go bad, things will run, but even codes won't set, or a million and a half will. It really depends on what burns up on the ECU. Yet, just a thought.



-Dan

 

Well there are no visual defects, which I know doesn't say much. How can I get the ECU itself tested?
What other cars used the same ecu so I would know what to look for in the junkyard?
The ECU in the car right now says its a genuine remanufactured GM ecu for what thats worth.

 

Hey my 85's running better than ever. However on a serious note i have a real 4ft chunk of 1" solid steel bar at the shop i could let ya borrow for a small fee!

 

nah i already have a pipe with the car's name on it

 

Shok, I have a ECM out of my 85 2.8 v6 that im not using anymore. If it turns out to be that ill sell it to ya for like 10 bucks plus shipping. PM me if you need it. Good luck!

 

ok thanks, i'll keep that in mind if any info on the ECU turns up.