Update: 10/8/04

Just Bought a 1992 FB V6 3.1 and did a tune up - plugs, wires, cap, 02 Sensor and oil change. My Check Engine Light comes on after reaching about 60 miles an hour. Could it be the EGR?

I just checked the codes and come up with 13 and 43

13 is the 02 sensor, which I had just placed it could be loose not fully connected

43? ECM? Should I replace it?

 

Nice car. Welcome to TGO!

Are you able to determine what codes are coming from the computer?

 

No, I have not. What equipment do I need to read and determine the computer. I'm new to this. I have both the Chilton and Haynes Books.

 

You need a paperclip. Remove the cover in front of the ALDL port (on the right side of the driver side hush panel) and turn the key to "on" but not "run/start" Then take your paperclip, bent into a "U" and jumper the 2 upper right pins. Now the Engine light will start to blink.

How to read the codes:
The first code that should come up is code 12, which means the computer is working. The light will blink once, pause shortly and then blink two more times, then pause for a long time, and repeat this two more times, this is the code 12.
After the code 12, any other codes in the computer will be displayed (3 blinks, pause, 2 blinks, pause, repeat would mean Code 32) Once its done displaying all the stored codes, it will display Code 12 again. You can turn the key to off and remove the paperclip at this point.

I believe in the Hayes manual, all the codes are under the "emissions" chapter.

Check back in when you get all the codes.

 

Thanks for the info. I'm at work right now, but I will do it sometime this week and keep you posted, again thanks.

 

I'm curious about this paperclip technique. Let us know how it goes.

 

No need to be curious; you can go try it yourself, even if you don't get a service engine soon light while you're driving.

Code 12 means "no distributor reference signal", and that's why you'll always see code 12. The reason's obvious; there's no distributor signal because the engine isn't running! If you didn't see a code 12, like 89V6FBIRD said, there's a problem with the computer.

But a warning; the code list in the Haynes book (and Chiltons book) is a piece of junk. For accurate diagnosis, you need to buy the GM Service Manual for YOUR YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR! Get 'em new at http://www.helminc.com , but eBay sometimes has used ones at good prices. I still like Haynes for a few reasons, but I'd never recommened using the Haynes book to diagnose a problem. I always go to my GM/Helms book for diagnostics.

 

Absolutely! I bought my GM manual several years ago, (back when it was only $30.00), and its been the most cost effective money I've spent on my Firebird. I honestly don't see how anyone does anything on these cars without the Helms/GM manuals.

 

43 is a failure somewhere along the Electronic Spark Control Circuit. It could be a bad sensor, a short or bad ground. I'll try to get to posting the diagnostic procedure later.