Very cute....but that doesn't really help the guy, does it?
81 with Code 44, Little Help Please
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Hamilton Ohio
81 with Code 44, Little Help Please
My 81 is throwing an intermittent Code 44 while driving at a steady pace. Checked the ECM wiring, vacuum hoses etc., no leaks that I can find, car runs great. I'm running with the Timing at 12 degrees. Manual says possible cause is bad Oxygen Sensor (probably original one,car has 36000 miles). Is this more than likely the cause of my code 44. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Last edited by Z28ImpalaSS; Aug 16, 2009 at 03:08 PM. Reason: Wording
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From: Crossville TN
Either the oxygen sensor is worn out (age, rather than use) or the terminals on it are corroded. Try cleaning up the terminals (be careful with cleaners around the sensor...it could get contaminated), then clear the trouble codes and try it again.
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From: Hamilton Ohio
Thanks 7T1vette, I'll give that a try today. I'm just hoping it's not the 12* of timing throwing this O2 sensor off. If it's a bad O2, their only about $20 to $25, relatively cheap fix. Thanks again.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Hamilton Ohio
Wanted to make sure it was not the timing causing this.
Everyone seems to agree that it's the O2 sensor. Like I said it's a relatively cheap fix.
Other causes were vacuum leaks, but I think everything's pretty tight.
New O2 is the winner. I'll try that ASAP.
Just needed another edjumacated opinion.
Thanks for all the help guys.
P.S.
Sensei, I set my timing according to your instructions in some of your posts, Made a HUGE difference in drivability. Thanks
larryg3, Thanks, I almost bought a Grey one like yours B4 I bought this one. Just could'nt pull the trigger fast enough.
Everyone seems to agree that it's the O2 sensor. Like I said it's a relatively cheap fix.
Other causes were vacuum leaks, but I think everything's pretty tight.
New O2 is the winner. I'll try that ASAP.
Just needed another edjumacated opinion.
Thanks for all the help guys.
P.S.
Sensei, I set my timing according to your instructions in some of your posts, Made a HUGE difference in drivability. Thanks
larryg3, Thanks, I almost bought a Grey one like yours B4 I bought this one. Just could'nt pull the trigger fast enough.
Last edited by Z28ImpalaSS; Aug 17, 2009 at 04:45 PM. Reason: Added
Team Owner
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From: Crossville TN
I still think it is worth while cleaning the connector(s) on the O2 sensor. They are a very low voltage device, and corrosion will cause a significant shift in signal. It certainly doesn't hurt to just replace the sensor anyway...just more expense than may be necessary.
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From: Hamilton Ohio
81 with code 44/Good news-Bad news
I changed out the Oxygen Sensor, with an adjustable wrench , of all things. That's the good news. Bad news is I still have an occasional Check Engine Light under the same conditions as before.
Guess I'll start to look hard for vacuum leaks. Plus I'll check and clean the connector too. Car still runs great. Thanks for your help.
That's the good news. Bad news is I still have an occasional Check Engine Light under the same conditions as before. Guess I'll start to look hard for vacuum leaks. Plus I'll check and clean the connector too. Car still runs great. Thanks for your help.
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From: Crossville TN
If the "Check Engine" light goes on and off while the car is operating, then you have a sensor that is 'borderline' on performance. A "hard" fault will keep the CE light ON all of the time; it will even come on when you re-start the car, until the problem is corrected and/or the code is cleared. So, you don't have a big problem; but you need to find which sensor is causing your CE to flicker.
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From: Mundelein Illinois
I changed out the Oxygen Sensor, with an adjustable wrench , of all things. That's the good news. Bad news is I still have an occasional Check Engine Light under the same conditions as before. Guess I'll start to look hard for vacuum leaks. Plus I'll check and clean the connector too. Car still runs great. Thanks for your help.
That's the good news. Bad news is I still have an occasional Check Engine Light under the same conditions as before. Guess I'll start to look hard for vacuum leaks. Plus I'll check and clean the connector too. Car still runs great. Thanks for your help.I'm not saying that this is your problem, just something to look at.
Hope this hleps
Last edited by spedaleden; Aug 19, 2009 at 03:39 PM.
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From: Hamilton Ohio
If the "Check Engine" light goes on and off while the car is operating, then you have a sensor that is 'borderline' on performance. A "hard" fault will keep the CE light ON all of the time; it will even come on when you re-start the car, until the problem is corrected and/or the code is cleared. So, you don't have a big problem; but you need to find which sensor is causing your CE to flicker.
Thanks for the help.I hope I do not have to replace intake gaskets. May have to take it out to someone with more experience than I have.
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From: Scottsdale Arizona
Did you ever get this sorted out?
I spent some time yesterday reading the service manual and there is a fairly in depth diagnostic procedure. There were a number of possible causes. The easiest to fix is the O2 sensor, which you've already tried. The worst (in my opinion) is that you computer is dead. That seems unlikely given that it's intermittent. There are a few more possibilities, but a vacuum leak seems very possible in your case.
I spent some time yesterday reading the service manual and there is a fairly in depth diagnostic procedure. There were a number of possible causes. The easiest to fix is the O2 sensor, which you've already tried. The worst (in my opinion) is that you computer is dead. That seems unlikely given that it's intermittent. There are a few more possibilities, but a vacuum leak seems very possible in your case.