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CODE 33 Driving Me Nuts.

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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 08:29 AM
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Default CODE 33 Driving Me Nuts.

Ok this problem is driving me nuts. The Car is an 86 Alumi Head Z51.

1st: I change the MAF, Both Relays, The connector to MAF Burnoff Relay, Cleaned all connections. When this problem comes up I have 5V out the MAF and 12 V to MAF when cranking the engine. The car wil not start when cold but if i touch the gas it will start but it codes to 33. Now if i turn it off and wait 30 to 45 sec and crank it. It starts and no SEL comes on and works all day. Seems to be a morning thing. I also tried setting the TPS to as high as .62V no difference. When it dies acted up I even jumpered the Oil pressure switch. Also all the time i can hear the fuel pump running even when it dont start.

It doesn't do this everyday, just seems to be getting worse.

Iam at my end. Looking at ripping the FEI out. does anyone know of a intake and carb combo to replace this stuff with that will fit under the hood, and do i have repace the Dist ?
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Old Jun 22, 2013 | 06:02 PM
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Default May Have found something

Well this is the wires to the Fuel Pump Relay, The MAF Power Relay looked just like this also. Burnt down for about and inch.


Last edited by dlee425; Jun 22, 2013 at 06:07 PM. Reason: add photo
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 07:55 AM
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Well the SEL came on when i first started the car this morning. But tuned key off waited 45 sec and restarted. No SEL light..
Will keep looking for problem.
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 08:39 AM
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Well you seem to have some wiring problems there. I also had to replace the Maf relays on mine but that solved the problem.

The insulation on those wires seems to have shrunken because of heat or burned off for some reason. I would check all the connectors and wiring first to make sure they are all ok.
You may find other similar places on the wiring harness.
Also make sure every ground wire is in place. Missing ground wires also cause some hard to find intermittend problems.
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 02:09 PM
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I have not seen anymore wires lke that. Dont know what caused it or how long its been like that.
Will keep trying things till i get rid of the code 33..
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 02:32 PM
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I remember I read somewhere, that the insulation material can shrink after 20+ years due to loss of softeners in the plastic material and heat. That causes shorts, often in the vicinity of connectors and places that are prone to excessive heat.

The plastic becomes brittle on those old wires pretty easily.
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by dlee425
Will keep trying things till i get rid of the code 33..
A code means a fault somewhere in a whole circuit ; not just that the major items in that circuit are faulty
You have done the FULL code 33 diagnostics from the FSM; not just replaced parts?

http://www.chevythunder.com/maf_code_33.htm

Originally Posted by dlee425
I have not seen anymore wires lke that. Dont know what caused it or how long its been like that.
Wiring insulation problems on the early style relay connectors is well documented on here



Last edited by vetteoz; Jun 23, 2013 at 08:06 PM.
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 07:22 PM
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[QUOTE=vetteoz;1584229430]A code means a fault somewhere in a whole circuit ; not just that the major items in that circuit are faulty
You have done the FULL code 33 diagnostics from the FSM; not just replaced parts?

http://www.chevythunder.com/maf_code_33.htm


Wiring insulation problems on the early style relay connectors is well documented on here


Have not been able to get it to do it long enough to do a full diag. Its when it first starts and when i turn the key off and restart the car the SEL dont come on and runs fine the rest of the day.
And somedays it will not do it for 3-4 days.

Tried cleaning connections, repaired the burnt cables, relaced the relays, and maf.
ohm'ed out the wires to the maf. maybe a bad connection in the ecm.
Just grabbing straws.
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 11:23 PM
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Just went through this with my 88. New ECU, EPROM, power wire on MAF relay and black/white wire on burn off relay and no more 33. Now I have an intermittent 36, which I think is ECU/Burnoff Relay ground related. Got to love the C4! GOOD LUCK!
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 11:30 PM
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When I had MAF codes popping up, I replaced the unit and the relays. Still got the code. Reading through the FSM led me to the TPS. It didn't state to check it in the troubleshooting tree but in the description. The MAF was seeing too much voltage for the indicated throttle position. Changed TPS and all has been well.

Just something else to check. Like Vetteoz indicated (I think) - it may be another part of the whole picture.
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 04:38 AM
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Originally Posted by cgantner5150
Reading through the FSM led me to the TPS. The MAF was seeing too much voltage for the indicated throttle position. Changed TPS and all has been well.
Just helped a guy on another forum with a code 33 problem and as you state the TPS was the problem.
The ECM was seeing numbers out of the expected range
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by dlee425
Well this is the wires to the Fuel Pump Relay, The MAF Power Relay looked just like this also. Burnt down for about and inch.

That is insulation shrinkage and common on the older C4's. Mine were worse.

Here is some info on 33 from my 86 FSM

http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2033.pdf
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 07:17 PM
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I just picked up a USB to RS232 interface (Free as they did not use 232 anymore) and building the 2 transistor interface. The only problem i see is what is the baud rate on an 86.. Some say 160 Pin E and others say 8192 on i think pin M.
I want to see the data stream.. Any ideas ?
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 07:27 PM
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I pulled all the relay connectors apart and used heat shrink tubing to cover the exposed wires. Then reassembled and used dielectric grease. All good.

I couldn't tell you about the USB to serial interface. I bought the moates cable (and eventually the Ostrich2).
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 05:44 PM
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Still trying to trace this down. Did find if i turn the key on like iam going to start the car and wait for the fuel pump to stop running then start it I will get the code 33.
I got WinAldl but iam not sure what is normal for the 86 as far as sensor readings.
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Old Jul 2, 2013 | 09:45 PM
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I'm going to run a new ckt 900 ground to the mag burn off relay tomorrow to see if that clears my 36.
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