Please help car keeps dying code 33 and 44
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Please help car keeps dying code 33 and 44
Hello all,
1985 vette no major mods. car has been dying out lately (past week). Today in the morning I turned on the car and it fired up for like a minute and then died. I tryed to start it and nothing for like 3 times. I then depressed the gas about 75% and the car fired up and then died. Finally it started up and I drove it to work (pomona to LA) the car died twice on the way over and seemed like it wanted to die a couple more times. But it got me to work. I checked the codes and got code 33 and 44. I replaced the MAF (code 33) a couple of months ago. Is code 44 perrty much the oxygen sensor? I read somewhere that 44 combined with 33 means it might be the MAF. Any thoughts? Thanks
1985 vette no major mods. car has been dying out lately (past week). Today in the morning I turned on the car and it fired up for like a minute and then died. I tryed to start it and nothing for like 3 times. I then depressed the gas about 75% and the car fired up and then died. Finally it started up and I drove it to work (pomona to LA) the car died twice on the way over and seemed like it wanted to die a couple more times. But it got me to work. I checked the codes and got code 33 and 44. I replaced the MAF (code 33) a couple of months ago. Is code 44 perrty much the oxygen sensor? I read somewhere that 44 combined with 33 means it might be the MAF. Any thoughts? Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105
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Its weird, when the car dies then i start it sometimes the check engine light will stay on so I will turn off the car and try again then the light will go off and the car will be o.k. and then do it again
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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St. Jude Donor '07
Intermittent stalling has always confused me.
Could it be as easy as disconnecting the battery and double-checking connections? Maybe resetting the computer would be enough?
Do you hear the hum of the fuel pump kicking in when you begin to turn the key? Have you checked the fuel pressure?
Does it want to stall as you are coasting/idling, or when at speed? How does it perform when it is running?
I honestly do not know if a failing O2 sensor could cause a stall, but I'm pretty sure MAF problems do. Heck, maybe it is as simple as a leaky bellows between the MAF and TB.
As an owner of an '85 4+3 Stock, I am interested in what you find. Keep this thread posted. Someone will see a symptom and point you in the right direction.
Could it be as easy as disconnecting the battery and double-checking connections? Maybe resetting the computer would be enough?
Do you hear the hum of the fuel pump kicking in when you begin to turn the key? Have you checked the fuel pressure?
Does it want to stall as you are coasting/idling, or when at speed? How does it perform when it is running?
I honestly do not know if a failing O2 sensor could cause a stall, but I'm pretty sure MAF problems do. Heck, maybe it is as simple as a leaky bellows between the MAF and TB.
As an owner of an '85 4+3 Stock, I am interested in what you find. Keep this thread posted. Someone will see a symptom and point you in the right direction.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Originally Posted by batoutofhell
Is the oxygen sensor used at start-up?
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Race Director
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St. Jude Donor '07
Failed Emissions + MAF & O2 Codes + So-So Performance + Stalling At Idle = ?
Search the Forum for test tips for the MAF, O2 Sensor, EGR Valve & Cat Back-pressure. Make sure the MAF is securely connected to the accordian & it is not leaking. Double check the connector clip is in all the way. Reset the computer and see what codes come up after a short drive.
I'm new to Vettes, but there are a bunch of guys here that have '85s. Once you have some more info, they'll be able to help better than I. I'm not a good answer guy, yet.
Search the Forum for test tips for the MAF, O2 Sensor, EGR Valve & Cat Back-pressure. Make sure the MAF is securely connected to the accordian & it is not leaking. Double check the connector clip is in all the way. Reset the computer and see what codes come up after a short drive.
I'm new to Vettes, but there are a bunch of guys here that have '85s. Once you have some more info, they'll be able to help better than I. I'm not a good answer guy, yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,171
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Sounds like your car is going into 'limp home' mode, and when it does it runs like a dog. This is likely because of the Code 33, which is the MAF or the Burnoff Module thats behind the passenger side dash in 85. Unfortunately both are expensive, hopefully you can get a used one.
There are no MAF relays behind the battery on the firewall, so don't listen to people who tell you to replace them.
O2 sensor does not activate until about 150F coolant temp, and the timers have expired (but dont worry about those). The O2 failure shows up as poor mileage, rarely as operating troubles like what youre having.
You must fix the codes, there is no further troubleshooting to do before then. Always start with the code caused by something in front of the engine before doing something downstream, one code usually causes several others.
There are no MAF relays behind the battery on the firewall, so don't listen to people who tell you to replace them.
O2 sensor does not activate until about 150F coolant temp, and the timers have expired (but dont worry about those). The O2 failure shows up as poor mileage, rarely as operating troubles like what youre having.
You must fix the codes, there is no further troubleshooting to do before then. Always start with the code caused by something in front of the engine before doing something downstream, one code usually causes several others.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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St. Jude Donor '07
I found this thread to be very helpful:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...st&forum_id=48
Do a search for 'maf test' and select the entry 'confused 87 owner' by billybilly1975.
It says to start with the MAF relay and the EGR valve & relay(?). It also mentions IAC as a possible idle culprit as well as a poor ignition module. Give it a good read thru.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...st&forum_id=48
Do a search for 'maf test' and select the entry 'confused 87 owner' by billybilly1975.
It says to start with the MAF relay and the EGR valve & relay(?). It also mentions IAC as a possible idle culprit as well as a poor ignition module. Give it a good read thru.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Originally Posted by batoutofhell
I'm sorry i wasnt specific. Today in the morning the car started dying once it reached about 130 0r 140 in coolant temp. Does the o2 sensor reach 600 degrees around that coolant temp?