Code 54...Now What???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Code 54...Now What???
SES light came on yesterday, coincidently the car was low on gas. Checked the computer and got a code 54. Fuel pump related??
I replaced the pump, filter, and relay 6 months ago!!??
Filled it with gas ...no SES warning!!??
Started it today.... SERVICE ENGINE SOON....code 54.
Any ideas??Incidently...car has been hard to start in last few months, it only starts on second try if it has sat overnight. It starts fine if it's been less time.Suggestions??
Thanks
I replaced the pump, filter, and relay 6 months ago!!??
Filled it with gas ...no SES warning!!??
Started it today.... SERVICE ENGINE SOON....code 54.
Any ideas??Incidently...car has been hard to start in last few months, it only starts on second try if it has sat overnight. It starts fine if it's been less time.Suggestions??
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Code 54...Now What??? (joseph p)
Ah! 89.
Looks like you lost the fuel pump relay. It's over on the firewall to the center just off the vacuum brake booster.
Lets hope it's that easy!
Good Luck,
Pete
Looks like you lost the fuel pump relay. It's over on the firewall to the center just off the vacuum brake booster.
Lets hope it's that easy!
Good Luck,
Pete
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Re: Code 54...Now What??? (PeteL)
Didn't think so, but changed the relay anyway...no difference!! Relay had been replaced just months before.
When key is turned on, there is only click at rear by pump, no sound of pump running at all. Tommorrow, I'm going to put the fuel pressure gauge on and see if I'm getting any press. Has anyone had a new pump go in less than 6 months???
When key is turned on, there is only click at rear by pump, no sound of pump running at all. Tommorrow, I'm going to put the fuel pressure gauge on and see if I'm getting any press. Has anyone had a new pump go in less than 6 months???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 8,540
Likes: 1
From: And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama senior staff
Re: Code 54...Now What??? (joseph p)
It's unlikely it's the fuel pump with that code.
54 is tested by low voltage at pin E of the relay under the hood, before it ever gets to the pump. If the realy is good (correct relay?) and still code 54 and slow start (fail safe on oil pressure switch), then you need to check that +12 is getting to the relay on the orange wire.
Since it does start eventually, then that means the oil pressure switch is tuning on the pump, bypassing the relay. So I would say you need to check the connection of the orange wire on pin A of the relay and track that around. It also goes to the oil pressure switch, the maf power and burn off relays and to ecm power connector near the battery.
Also check pin E on the relay for bad connection or open.
Connector:
CXA
DEF
C To pin G of aldl connector for testing
A orange +12V switched by the relay for fuel pump
D Fuel pump relay drive (+12V) from ECM
E Relay output (+12V) to fuel pump; also connected to ecm for 54 and oil pressure switch for backup +12 from oil pressure switch
F Engine ground for relay (provided circuit for coil for ecm pin D
You must have bad connection on A or E (or bad wires)
Good Luck
Pete
54 is tested by low voltage at pin E of the relay under the hood, before it ever gets to the pump. If the realy is good (correct relay?) and still code 54 and slow start (fail safe on oil pressure switch), then you need to check that +12 is getting to the relay on the orange wire.
Since it does start eventually, then that means the oil pressure switch is tuning on the pump, bypassing the relay. So I would say you need to check the connection of the orange wire on pin A of the relay and track that around. It also goes to the oil pressure switch, the maf power and burn off relays and to ecm power connector near the battery.
Also check pin E on the relay for bad connection or open.
Connector:
CXA
DEF
C To pin G of aldl connector for testing
A orange +12V switched by the relay for fuel pump
D Fuel pump relay drive (+12V) from ECM
E Relay output (+12V) to fuel pump; also connected to ecm for 54 and oil pressure switch for backup +12 from oil pressure switch
F Engine ground for relay (provided circuit for coil for ecm pin D
You must have bad connection on A or E (or bad wires)
Good Luck
Pete
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 4
From: Hawthorne NJ
Re: Code 54...Now What??? (PeteL)
Pete,
When you say C&G do you mean Cof relay or C of ADL...
No voltage on D of relay...if there should be, how much should it be?
In testing A1 - A2 should there be 12V..?
Thanks for all your help, am I correct in assuming I'm getting closer to narrowing this down to an ECM problem???
Frank :cry
When you say C&G do you mean Cof relay or C of ADL...
No voltage on D of relay...if there should be, how much should it be?
In testing A1 - A2 should there be 12V..?
Thanks for all your help, am I correct in assuming I'm getting closer to narrowing this down to an ECM problem???
Frank :cry
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: Essex Ont
Re: Code 54...Now What??? (joseph p)
If I had a nickel for everyone that had this problem. Here's how I solved my hard starting/code 54 problem. They were actually 2 different problems.
First to solve the code 54 I replaced to ecm. That would at least prime the fuel pump when the key was turned "on" but was still hard to start.
The hard starting was solved by putting in new injectors. With the old ones they would not hold pressure when turned "off".
I banged my head against a wall for a long time trying to fix these problems but it starts like brand new now!
Please take my advice and save yourself some headaches.
Bob
First to solve the code 54 I replaced to ecm. That would at least prime the fuel pump when the key was turned "on" but was still hard to start.
The hard starting was solved by putting in new injectors. With the old ones they would not hold pressure when turned "off".
I banged my head against a wall for a long time trying to fix these problems but it starts like brand new now!
Please take my advice and save yourself some headaches.
Bob
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
