C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

85/86 sensor differences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 07:47 AM
  #1  
okinawa86vette's Avatar
okinawa86vette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Default 85/86 sensor differences

I know the maf is a diff design between the 85 and 86 cars, but what about the manifold air pressure sensor and the throttle position sensor? The reason I ask is that I have a service engine soon light that intermittently appears and the code was code 54, which is either the map, tps or the pcm. I don't think its the pcm being that the car seems to run fine, actually really well. Also, the reason I ask about the two years is that my car is an 86 and I got an 85 parts car in the deal with the car.
Thanks.

Chris
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 10:01 AM
  #2  
Ray Quayle's Avatar
Ray Quayle
- 1986 Original Owner -
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (okinawa86vette)

Chris,
I'm not sure where you're getting your info, but on an '86, Code 54 is FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT (LOW VOLTAGE).
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 10:36 AM
  #3  
Rich B.'s Avatar
Rich B.
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (Ray Quayle)

Also, your '85 should be TBI; the '86's have TPI. Different systems, almost certainly different sensors.

*Definately* different ECMs with way-different BINs.

Best to get a shop manual for the car you intend to restore. Put the TBI setup on eBay. Store the spare 4+3. (You'll need it eventually!)
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 10:45 AM
  #4  
Ray Quayle's Avatar
Ray Quayle
- 1986 Original Owner -
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (Rich B.)

Also, your '85 should be TBI; the '86's have TPI. Different systems, almost certainly different sensors.
The '85 is TPI. It was the first year for it.
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 01:25 PM
  #5  
Rich B.'s Avatar
Rich B.
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,516
Likes: 0
From: Lockport NY
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (Ray Quayle)

The '85 is TPI. It was the first year for it.
...D'Oh!!!...Sorry; my mistake! It's early... :cry

My parts book shows -

Sensor, Mass Air Flow (1985) - part # 14081243
Sensor, Mass Air Flow (1986) - part # 14094712
Sensor Kit, Throttle Position (1985-1989) - part # 17111606
I don't believe the '86 or '85 had a MAP sensor...That didn't start until 1990, IIRC - Speed Density system...(I could be wrong...again...) :crazy:


[Modified by Rich B., 12:27 PM 1/20/2002]
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 06:50 PM
  #6  
okinawa86vette's Avatar
okinawa86vette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (Rich B.)

If code 54 deals with the fuel pump, what would cause this? The car probably needs a new fuel filter badly, but I haven't had a chance to get one being that I'm in Japan. Would it probably be a problem with the fuel pump itself?
I got the info from the book that came with the scan tool. Didn't even really need the scan tool, but I wanted the book for the codes.

Chris
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2002 | 06:51 PM
  #7  
okinawa86vette's Avatar
okinawa86vette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (okinawa86vette)

As far as the map sensor, I don't think it did either, but that's what my little handy dandy, may be wrong code book listed. It's for a range of years of different GM vehicles.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2002 | 01:39 AM
  #8  
JAKE's Avatar
JAKE
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (okinawa86vette)

I just had an intermittent code 54 problem last week I replaced the fuel pump relay; problem solved.

BTW, there is no manifold pressure sensor on the 86, there is a manifold air temp sensor though, located on the underside of the plenum near the distributor.

Hope this helps.

Jake


[Modified by JAKE, 11:40 PM 1/20/2002]
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jan 21, 2002 | 04:42 AM
  #9  
Ray Quayle's Avatar
Ray Quayle
- 1986 Original Owner -
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (okinawa86vette)

Chris,
I'd agree with Jake. Try the Fuel Pump Relay first. The ECM monitors the Fuel Pump voltage to alter the fuel delivery if system voltage drops. The code sets if the ECM sees < 2 volts for 1.5 seconds. This typically happens when the Fuel Pump Relay is bad or lazy (doesn't energize immediately). There are other causes, but this is usually the scenario - insert key, turn fully to start, engine cranks, but because Fuel Pump Relay doesn't energize, the Fuel Pump doesn't get power until the oil pressure comes up to about 4psi, if this takes more than 1.5 seconds (and often does) code 54 will set and the SES light will stay on until ignition is switched to OFF. This also obviously results in longer crank times.

Try switching the ignition to ON, not START and listen for the Fuel Pump buzz coming from behind your right ear (pump is in the tank). It should run for about 2 seconds. If it doesn't replace the Relay. It's the cheapest place to start. If you're having trouble getting parts, I can send you a relay from my APO to yours. Just let me know.
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2002 | 06:58 AM
  #10  
okinawa86vette's Avatar
okinawa86vette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (Ray Quayle)

Thanks for all the help. I do have longer than normal crank times too. Where exactly on the car is the relay located and would it be the same off an 85?
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2002 | 07:59 AM
  #11  
Ray Quayle's Avatar
Ray Quayle
- 1986 Original Owner -
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 139
From: North Yorkshire, England
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (okinawa86vette)

Chris,
The relay should be the same as the '85. May be part number 14078915. This is a common relay and is used for many things. Mounted on the firewall just inboard of the brake booster. If you have the manual trans, there will be two of these relays mounted on a bracket. One is the manual trans overdrive relay and the other is the fuel pump relay. They should be the same part number and will be interchangeable. Just swap them and see if it helps the long crank/code 54. You will then probably find your OD doesn't work. If you don't have the manual trans, there will only be one relay there and as I said, the one from the '85 should be the same.

Good luck.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 12:06 AM
  #12  
okinawa86vette's Avatar
okinawa86vette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (Ray Quayle)

Awesome, thanks. I'll post and let you know how it works. Both cars are autos, so it should be easy.

Chris
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 08:52 AM
  #13  
okinawa86vette's Avatar
okinawa86vette
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,606
Likes: 1
From: Las Cruces NM
Default Re: 85/86 sensor differences (okinawa86vette)

I checked the part numbers on the actual relays with my parts car and my driver, and they turned out to be the same. I grabbed the parts car one and went to install it and low and behold, the one in my car wasn't plugged in. I plugged it in and the car now runs good. Much better than before but the computer is still learning the curves since I reset it to erase the codes. Thank you for the help.

Chris
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 85/86 sensor differences





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:29 AM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE