my 86 is sick
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
my 86 is sick
I hope somebody out there can help. The car runs great most of the time. However, when it starts acting up the check engine light flashes on and off, the engine starts running very rough and sometimes it will stall. I can restart it and it will run fine again. There are no trouble codes stored in the computer. I also checked it with a scanner and it said everything was fine. It acted the same way last year. I did the diagnosic and it said the MAFwas bad, replaced it and everything was fine. Well, I just replaced the MAF again and it was not the problem this time. I dont know where to look for the problem. Does anyone have any ideas?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
When you replace the MAF you should also replace the Burn off and Power relays.
You can go to any GM dealership and pick them up for around 40 Bucks for the both.
They are known to go bad.
Just my 2 cents
You can go to any GM dealership and pick them up for around 40 Bucks for the both.
They are known to go bad.
Just my 2 cents
Last edited by Repzard; May 13, 2007 at 10:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,884
Likes: 3
From: Magnolia Mississippi
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Replace the relays, both, they are the same #, alot of times the MAF code is really a relay issue. Clean the connector contracts on both MAF and connector, make sure seated correctly. Remove neg cable 30 sec, hook up, take for run to operating temp, check for codes....
Hope it helps
vinnie
Hope it helps
vinnie
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,696
Likes: 1
From: MA
Replace the relays, both, they are the same #, alot of times the MAF code is really a relay issue. Clean the connector contracts on both MAF and connector, make sure seated correctly. Remove neg cable 30 sec, hook up, take for run to operating temp, check for codes....
Hope it helps
vinnie
Hope it helps
vinnie
Pretty much what I was trying to say.
I had a 86 that love to eat them relays up ..Matter of a fact I have a set of them brand new that I never used " In boxes"
But they are useless to me now because I have a 93 Corvette
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
I was chasing a similar problem on my '86 and replacing the fuel pump relay solved my problem. I had idle surging and stalling with no codes and fuel pressur was fine so my mechanic suggested replacing the fuel pump relay on the firewall. Hope this helps.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Sounds like a pinched or corroded wire
Try testing each wire for resistance. I tested mine and found two wire with terrible ohm loss. It's work but hey those wires are old. You do not need an entire harness just replace the bad portions. Also check your connections. They may need to be cleaned. You know how your battery connections get! Well others connections do the same thing only it takes longer. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,374
Likes: 86
From: Corbin KY
HMM I would be looking at the ECM also. If the light is flashing it is an indication that it is NOT working as it is suspose to. I have seen this before and it was a bad ECM due to solder joints on the board.
Pull the ECM down and start the car, with the car running, slap both sides of the ECM (LIGHTLY) dont beat the crap out of it, OR you can use the rubber end of a screwdriver and tap it. Also grab it at both ends and twist it A LITTLE DONT TRY AND BREAK IT IN HALF!
What you are tring to do is make the solder joint fail. The car will start acting up as you described if it is bad. Im NOT saying that this IS the problem BUT I have seen this MANY times before and with the same problems.
Phil
Pull the ECM down and start the car, with the car running, slap both sides of the ECM (LIGHTLY) dont beat the crap out of it, OR you can use the rubber end of a screwdriver and tap it. Also grab it at both ends and twist it A LITTLE DONT TRY AND BREAK IT IN HALF!
What you are tring to do is make the solder joint fail. The car will start acting up as you described if it is bad. Im NOT saying that this IS the problem BUT I have seen this MANY times before and with the same problems.
Phil
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 12,182
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From: Partying with the Cowboys cheerleaders in Mt. Olive, New Jersey
Well, before you really go crazy and throw $ and parts at it. Try this. Just disconnect the MAF and look inside, make sure nothing funky is sticking to it. Happens sometimes to people who removed the screen. Then, check the connections, making sure they're nice and shiny, and have no bent connector pins. Go from there. Good luck.