whats a map sensor do i got one?
whats ECM and ECU
and SES light and how do U guys know what them codes are and do U use a device of some sort to read codes and what does them codes tell ya?

 

MAP sensor= Maniflod Absolute presure. It tells the ECM (see bellow) how much load the engine is under by how much vaccum is in the intake manifold.

ECM, and ECU= Electronic Controll Module, and Electronic Controll Unit. Many pepole use the 2 to me them same thing, but there a minor diferences between the 2. It's basicly the brains of the car.

SES= Service Engine Soon, aka the dummy light. You can either buy a code scaner or use a paper clip to manuly get the codes and look them up for thier meaning in either a haynes/ Chilton's book, or there is a all most complete list in the tech article section of this site. Also in the tech article section are instructions for useing the paper clip to get the codes.

 

I paid $30-ish for my code buster and book.
TO ME, it was worth the investment.
Very easy to use.
SOMETIMES very expensive to repair the part, but, once done right, you can let your Wife and 16 month old go anywhere in that car you fixed.
She likes the 3.4 power over her inline 1968 Camaro six!

 

Dude, you should really hunt down the 82-92 Camaro Haynes book. It'll tell you a ton of stuff about your car, tell you where everything is, what the sensors do, etc... the book's only $15 from Pep Boys (or similar) or http://www.haynes.com .

If you want the "Big Boy", the GM Service Manual, get it from http://www.helminc.com - I have it; it's well worth the cost!! I hear you can find them on eBay every now and then, too. I actually scored a "complete" 82-92 Firebird parts microfiche set for $15!!

 

TomP is right man...that Haynes manual is awesome!!!! I never touch my car without it, that thing is worth it's weight in gold!

 

Go with Ked and Tom on this, get the haynes manual, and the code reader. The code reader is like 25, and the manual is 15. (thats canadian funds) You will never regret the money spent.

 

where do i get a code reader thingy?
and where can i get a GM handbook (the big huge one)?

:lala: :lala: :lala: :lala: :lala: :lala: :lala: :lala:

 

I bought my code reader at Advanced Auto for under 30 bucks, about 4 years ago. Any parts store should carry it. Although you can just short out the pins in the connector to get your codes, the book alone is well worth the money

 

From the questions your asking I can tell you that you really should start with the chiltons total car care manual. Its written in a manner that anyone can understand, and has more than enough information to get you in trouble. Not to mention its easy to find and doesn't cost much.

The GM shop manual is about twice as thick and doesn't have any illustrations only artists renditions, the verbage is harder to follow, and its harder to find what you're looking for.

Ultimately you'll probably want to have both. The GM manual has a lot more info, but it isn't as relevant to the typical fix/repair type issues.

The chiltons will tell you how to make any piece of conductive material that can be used to connect two terminals of your ALDL into a code reader.

 

My 1985 Helms (GM factory) Firebird book cost me $40, swap meet (it took about 10+ swap meets to find the book at that price, usually $65 & that's also how much new!).
I have seen the "Large" Chiltons at Kragen, Pep, etc.
THOSE ARE GREAT VALUES! Lots of GREAT INFORMATION & EASY & ACCURATE!
I paid, again $30 for this code buster & the small book with what the codes meant.
I also have a free "TV Guide sized" Chilton, I use, even if it for 82-92 Camaros. Same cars, ya know.
Paper clips are free, that can also be used to activate the "code" for trouble reading.
Have you worked on this car before, like this (electronics)?

 

You can also get the shop maules from Faxon. They are just a little north of me, but I'm sure they will be willing to ship.

Faxon Auto Literature
1-800-458-2734

Karl,

Where did you score the codebuster $30? Most store I have gone to want $90 or more. I would like to get one, but Can't justify $90 right now when I could use the paper clip.

 

Are you looking at a decent scanner that does more then short out the pins maybe?
The scanner I was refering to is basically a piece of plastic that fits into the Diagnostic Connecter and does the same thing the paper clip does, nothing fancy. Mine actually pulls ABS Codes up from cars equipped with ABS, also.
$90 might be referring to a scanner a little better then that one.

 

ACTON BRAND got mine from what once was Chief Auto parts.
I've seen this brand at all parts stores, Pep, Kragen, too.
Small box about size of Pop Tarts.
Can't find mine, can't offer a number, sorry.
Luckily, I'm all done using mine.
Car runs great since I got a Borg Warner rebuilt MAS and I smoothed out my air intake from modified air cleaner.
I went thru two previous MAS LOUSY ONES from what once was Chief Auto.
They get lousy rebuilt stuff many times, I've discovered.