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

Tried accelerating and engine died

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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:03 PM
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Default Tried accelerating and engine died

While driving home, normal conditions/clear, cool weather, engine running fine and fully warmed, I attempted to accelerate sharply to get around some slower traffic but as I pushed down on the gas quickly (probably 3/4 pedal) it was like I'd hit a kill switch. Suddenly I became the "slower traffic" ! Had to coast to the side. Motor would idle but would stutter when I tried accelerating. Getting back on the road it would run for a little while then it would act like a kill switch had been thrown. This went on for about four miles then it seemed to smooth out and started running like normal but I didn't attempt any sudden accelerations. Just wanted to get the rest of the way home under it's own power.

I have an '86 TPI w/ 4+3. Stock except for magnaflow exhaust and K&N air filter.

Any info as to what this might be will be greatly appreciated!
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:11 PM
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How is the battery and generator?

Have you checked fuel pressure?

SES light on by any chance when this happened?
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:34 PM
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Thanks. I'm in the process of going through it now. Battery and alternator check good. I replaced the fuel pump recently and the fuel pressure was within specs. And yes, the SES came on.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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And what code(s) did you get?
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:43 PM
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I don't have a reader so right now I'm hoping to find something obvious. I guess the most obvious thing is I need to break down and buy or borrow a code reader, right?
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:49 PM
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Auto Zone reads the codes for free.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 05:51 PM
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Nope, you don´t have to.

Take a small paperclip and bend it into a U shape.

Under the steering wheel you have the socalled ALDL.

It´s a diagnostic terminal with two rows of six pins (connectors).

The upper two on the right are A and B, connect them with each other with the paperclip.

Now, turn on ignition but don´t start the engine.

The fan under the hood will start to blow, this is normal.

The SES light will start to flash codes now.

One flash, pause, two flashes, wich means code 12.

This one comes three times, after this you will get other codes, all wich will show three times, so you have the time to write them down.

It ends with code 12, again three times.

Try this one, http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/codes.htm

Last edited by vette079; Oct 17, 2009 at 05:53 PM.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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Originally Posted by vette079
Nope, you don´t have to.

Take a small paperclip and bend it into a U shape.

Under the steering wheel you have the socalled ALDL.

It´s a diagnostic terminal with two rows of six pins (connectors).

The upper two on the right are A and B, connect them with each other with the paperclip.

Now, turn on ignition but don´t start the engine.

The fan under the hood will start to blow, this is normal.

The SES light will start to flash codes now.

One flash, pause, two flashes, wich means code 12.

This one comes three times, after this you will get other codes, all wich will show three times, so you have the time to write them down.

It ends with code 12, again three times.

Try this one, http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/codes.htm
Fantastic! Thank you. Extremely helpful.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 07:54 PM
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Here is a list of your codes

1985-1991: ECM Codes
Code #12: Normal No Codes.
Code #13: Open Oxygen Sensor Circuit.
Code #14: Coolant Sensor Circuit Low.
Code #15: Coolant Sensor Circuit High.
Code #21: Throttle Position Sensor High.
Code #22: Throttle Position Sensor Low.
Code #23: Manifold Air Temperature Circuit High.
Code #24: Vehicle Speed Sensor.
Code #25: Manifold Air Temperature Circuit Low.
Code #32: EGR System Failure.
Code #33: Mass Air Flow Sensor High.
Code #34: Mass Air Flow Sensor Low.
Code #36: Mass Air Flow Sensor Burn-Off Function Fault.
Code #41: Cylinder Select Error.
Code #42: Electronic Spark Timing.
Code #43: Electronic Spark Control.
Code #44: Lean Exhaust indication.
Code #45: Rich Exhaust Indication.
Code #46: Vehicle Anti Theft Fault.
Code #51: Faulty Mem-Cal.
Code #52: Fuel Calpak Missing.
Code #52: (1990-91 Corvette Only): Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Low.
Code #53: System Over Voltage.
Code #54: Fuel Pump Circuit Low Voltage.
Code #55: Defective ECM.
Code #62: Engine Oil Temperature Sensor Circuit High.
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Old Oct 17, 2009 | 08:58 PM
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How much fuel in tank ?
How old is the fuel filter, a plugged up one will give full PSI, but no volume.
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 12:08 AM
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Originally Posted by AGENT 86
How much fuel in tank ?
How old is the fuel filter, a plugged up one will give full PSI, but no volume.
4K and 11 months on the filter and over 1/2 tank. Appreciate it! I've had some weird experiences with plugged filters in the past. You'd think the motor was getting ready to go...
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by ShovelRDR
While driving home, normal conditions/clear, cool weather, engine running fine and fully warmed, I attempted to accelerate sharply to get around some slower traffic but as I pushed down on the gas quickly (probably 3/4 pedal) it was like I'd hit a kill switch. Suddenly I became the "slower traffic" ! Had to coast to the side. Motor would idle but would stutter when I tried accelerating. Getting back on the road it would run for a little while then it would act like a kill switch had been thrown. This went on for about four miles then it seemed to smooth out and started running like normal but I didn't attempt any sudden accelerations. Just wanted to get the rest of the way home under it's own power.

I have an '86 TPI w/ 4+3. Stock except for magnaflow exhaust and K&N air filter.

Any info as to what this might be will be greatly appreciated!
Had a similar problem on my `87. Turned out to be a bad MAF. Installed a new one- so far, so good
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by kenv
Had a similar problem on my `87. Turned out to be a bad MAF. Installed a new one- so far, so good
This forum is the greatest! I checked codes using vette079 info (interestingly a well known "central" supplier offers something that does the same thing the paper clip does for about 40 bucks not counting s/h) and codes indicated a MAF issue. A new one is in the works. I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks to all of you again!

Tim
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 10:44 PM
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Dont buy a MAF. Two times in 10 years Ive had MAF codes on my 87. Replacing the relays fixed it both times.
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Old Oct 18, 2009 | 11:53 PM
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Originally Posted by JackDidley
Dont buy a MAF. Two times in 10 years Ive had MAF codes on my 87. Replacing the relays fixed it both times.
Wow. Thanks. Was planning on replacing both MAF and relay. I'll try the relay first. 300.00 + 20.00 vs. just 20.00.... = more money for other stuff!
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 08:39 AM
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Diagnostics for 86 MAF codes

http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2033.pdf

http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2034.pdf

http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/Code%2036.pdf
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Old Oct 19, 2009 | 04:19 PM
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And if I have read correct on this forum, you should replace both relays at the same time, even if only one is broken.
Something about the new one burning through when the other old one craps out also.
It´s like replacing lightbulbs, replace one, might just as well rreplace the other one as well, since they both have run the same amount of miles/hours.
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Old Oct 20, 2009 | 07:11 AM
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By "both relays", are you referring to the MAF burn off and the MAF power relay?
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Old Oct 20, 2009 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ShovelRDR
By "both relays", are you referring to the MAF burn off and the MAF power relay?
Yessireebob

If you don´t have an ´85 that is, because then you have a B.O. module.

But you have an ´89, right?
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Old Oct 20, 2009 | 08:00 PM
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Originally Posted by vette079
Yessireebob

If you don´t have an ´85 that is, because then you have a B.O. module.

But you have an ´89, right?
No. I have an '86.
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