Hey All,
Yeah I broke down again.
The Sepulveda Pass killed me again.
Friday AM going to work (I knew I should have driven the Corvette), cruising, sputter sputter dead, totally DEAD.
I'm on the side, I know the routine. Raise hood, wait.
I see two tow trucks pass. I'll try this trick again (replace the ignition modular, I still have the newer broken one!). NOPE! I turn around a CHP & the tow truck are there. CHP guy "I was chasing some guy on the other side, got off and came back for ya" Me-"Sorry for stopping you from doing your job!" We laugh!
I'm almost done. Try the key.
NOPE
Tow me, please. Atleast this time I get a view, Mullhouland look out exit, overpass. I finish trying my luck.
NOPE
I call Wife, ask for Kay Auto (in Van Nuys, call work and come rescue me, please) phone number. Saul at Kay Auto (800-995-0296) has the part a NEW AC DELCO IGNITION MODULAR!! No other brands (but this new AC one is made in Singapore!) will I be using anymore.
Slip it in, starts right up and away I go, Wife & Son following me (I feel so lucky! LOL).
But, driving home, I see the dreaded Check engine light again.
I'll wait until Saturday to find out what's going on.
Saturday AM, I play mechainc & computer geek.
I pull out my code buster (Actron) & their book.
Code 32 & Code 34.
What does it say?
32= Barometric pressure sesor circuit failure OR EGR valve diagnostic switch-closed during engine start up or open when EGR flow requiested by ECM or FGR/EVRV (?)

34= Mass Air Flow sensor-signal voltage or frequency is low duing engine cruise OR manifold Absolute Pressure sensor signal is low during ignition on OR Pressure sensor circuit-signal voltage is too high or low (carb engines).

All these codes have to do with engine vacuum reading of constant for the functions to operate correct. By having a Manifold Vacuum Gauge, I noted/saw way to low vacuum readings for my new engine & stuff.
I was going below 16 incehes of pressure. Not right.
I eventually look at the parts mentioned. MAS ok & looked good. Wasn't exactly seated correct thru the air inlet system, so I made it so.
I go to the EGR set up.
I follow hoses
AH I FIND THE PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One lousy INCH of vacuum hose had split at the inlet of the EGR set up, under the coil I JUST INSERTED INTO MY CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I touch the plastic, of course it cracks in half!!!
I also locate, at my throttle body air hose stuff, one other hose, not on right anymore.
Both functions control air readings for the other stuff (MAS & EGR). This accounts for those codes!!!!
I replace/repair those sections of hose (of course they crack!). I flip one plastic connection to make better air tight fitting, new sections of 5/16" inch vacuum hose (windshiled wiper fluid hose works perfect!!) used.
I let car sit overnight with the battery disconnected.

I just got back from the test drive!
17-18 inches of vacuum, smoother idle, NO FREAKING TEST CHECK ENGINE LIGHT!!!!!!!!
AFT!
Moral-
Know friends in place of parts for the BEST PRICES AND AVAILABILITY!! (THAKS SAUL of KAY AUTO!!800-995-0296)
Drive with the tools to fix this problem (yes, I had a better screw driver to use this time!!)
Never leave home without a paper clip (to tell ya if ya get spark outta plug or not!)
MOST IMPORTANT!!
CHECK FOR VACUUM LEAKS!! I almost bought another MAS sensor thinking I had another flaky electrical rebuilt unit!! My vacuum hose cost me FREE!!!! I only used 2" INCHES OF VACUUM LINE TO SAVE ME BUYING ANOTHER EGR & MAS sensor!!!

FYI 1985 model year set up (FI, Vacuum hoses) is a one year design. I found this out, this time, checking for how to find leaks, etc, in case I missed a spot. V-8 & V-6 are almost identical, so ya have more cars to get stuff from, too!
Check your vacuum hoses for many solutions to problems! Can't say that enough.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

well at least ya found the probs... Good job.. LOL Remember my statement a while ago about the damn coolant tube!, well that just goes to show ya that GM does not always use the greatest of parts. I did that vacuum hose replacement about 6 months ago. replaced them all with rubber/silicone lines.

 

Yeah I've been replacing vacum hoses along the way. Every time I do there is one less hiss. Every time I pop the hood I check for bad hoses. And evry time I toch one one breaks. Lucky me!

 

Hey ked why not get a flame thrower modulator?. There like 30 bucks or something from summit I think. I would think it'll last alot longer and get better performance.

 

I've learned.
Go with original AC stuff.
I had a screaming deal on this from Saul and it worked. Has worked perfect and the car sings again!!!
As soon as I visit Graeme & see his air inlet set up, I MAY be going to play with this at the drag strip!!
It's just about time!!
I'd have liked to have gotten one of those performance ones. I may end up doing so, just to try as a test! But, an Accel one.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

Glad to hear you're running again, Karl! Those vacuum lines sure don't like you!

Keep in mind, too, that we can't use the Pertronix Flame-thrower modules because they're only 4-pin units. We need the 8 pin'ners for our HEI's- and that leaves you with GM, aftermarket stock, Accel, or Holley.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

 

Good job Karl, I am learning by reading
Horst

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www.marion-becker-nidda.de
91 Firebird 3.1
Modsynomax ultra flow stainless steel -americanracing rims (ar26) rear 15x8 255/60
front 15x7 235/60
www.members.aol.com/tramphorst/pontiacpics

 

well I don't know about yours but mine is a 4 pin design. I have had to replace it so I think I know how many pins it has. The modulator it has in it now is from a 8er.

 

Karl, was this your module? If so, the holley # is 891-103... I'll try to get a picture below.

4 pins -> engine wiring harness
2 pins -> ignition coil
2 pins (internal) -> distributor pick-up coil



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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l)

[This message has been edited by TomP (edited August 31, 2001).]

 

I recomend the holy ignition module. I was very pleased with it. It delivers what claims. Pedle respones is a bit crisper. It's not a major improvement but at the same cost of a stock module you will get a little more bang for your buck!

 

That looks nothing like my mod. Mine is a weak c looking thing.

 

Tom, ya got the pic.
ANY new ignition stuff delivers a crisper pedal. ANY NEW.
Only way to truly tell effective HiPo parts from quality of AC parts is to go back to back same contions, etc.
Those are hard tests for many of us to do (myself included). When we got it right, why waste anymore time testing!!
IF YA GOT ONE OF Tom pics stuff, was it made in Singapore?
My AC Delco one was!

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA