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

1988 code 32

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 19, 2013 | 09:37 PM
  #1  
C4in mesa's Avatar
C4in mesa
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Default 1988 code 32

When Im on the freeway ONLY my SES light comes on. Everything and I mean everything is brand new. Doesnt make sense ? Would engine temps cause this EGR or code 32 to come on ? When I turn the car off the SES light does not come on. Only if Im on the freeway for 15-30 min.
Reply
Old May 19, 2013 | 09:50 PM
  #2  
LoneStarV's Avatar
LoneStarV
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Default

Here you go. I have this link stored as it has a good write up on trouble shooting EGR code 32. Mine is going bye bye eventually but it's a good thread. Cliff did a good job explaining it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...-still-on.html
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 01:20 AM
  #3  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

Your ECM is calling for EGR (opening the EGR valve) and not seeing the response through the EGR switch in the EGR tube from RH exhaust header to intake base.
Check vac lines to/from the EGR Sol.
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 01:35 AM
  #4  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

I was going to write a response but it looks like I already did...

On my car the EGR solenoid failed and the EGR valve was frozen shut. That's how I got the random error code 32 while cruising. I bought a cheapo EGR valve from AutoZone and fortunately I tested it with a vacuum pump before installing it because it leaked vacuum and didn't work right out of the box. There's an AC Delco EGR valve in my car now.

Last edited by Cliff Harris; May 20, 2013 at 01:38 AM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 07:35 PM
  #5  
C4in mesa's Avatar
C4in mesa
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Default

I want to thank everyone for the help !!!!!!! I will look for an A/C Delco solenoid. I might just replace or at least check out the condition of my EGR temp sensor but I am sure I replaced it when the valve was replaced. Ouch $90 for a solenoid.

Last edited by C4in mesa; May 20, 2013 at 07:40 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 07:45 PM
  #6  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

BTW, I run a 160deg T-stat so my ECM will NEVER call for EGR while cruzing, since coolant temp must exceet 175deg F at steady speed before it will want EGR.

This might not work in your case as I well remember what a summer in Mesa is like...
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 11:41 PM
  #7  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Originally Posted by C4in mesa
I will look for an A/C Delco solenoid.

$90 for a solenoid.
$90 for an EGR solenoid? Where can you get one for that price? Just out of curiosity, where can you get one PERIOD? As far as I know they have not been available for years.

Maybe you meant EGR valve?
Reply
Old May 20, 2013 | 11:44 PM
  #8  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Originally Posted by 65Z01
BTW, I run a 160deg T-stat so my ECM will NEVER call for EGR while cruzing, since coolant temp must exceet 175deg F at steady speed before it will want EGR.
Depends on the year. My car uses the MAT sensor to determine when to turn on EGR. I think that's true for all cars with the 1227165 ECM ('86 - '89).
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

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

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 21, 2013 | 04:31 AM
  #9  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

My car uses the MAT sensor to determine when to turn on EGR.
Do you have an '86 Vette or a '90-'91??

My '88 GM Shop manual states that code 32 will be set if the EGR valve is detected closed under the following condtions:
-coolant temp > 176 deg F
-EGR duty cycle commanded is >75%
-TPS <1/2 throttle & >idle
-codes 21,22,33,34 not present
-all conditions above met for >4 minutes

It further states that: "The (EGR) duty cycle is determined by the ECM based on information from the coolant and mass air flow sensors and engine RPM.
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 07:47 AM
  #10  
QCVette's Avatar
QCVette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Default

On my '88 I had code 32 also.

I searched the forum and found that some people were able to fool the computer by a trick on the sensor on the egr tube. I tried that and could not get it to work.

On mine the problem was the EGR valve itself.

I tried a generic one from Advance Auto. It was bad. It would not hold a vacuum to operate the valve. Fortunately I tried it before I installed it. The store got a second one for me. The second one was also bad, plus it was the wrong valve for some other car in the correct box.

I got an AC Delco one from Rock Auto and it worked. No more light or codes.

Good luck.
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 08:52 AM
  #11  
C4in mesa's Avatar
C4in mesa
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Default

Originally Posted by 65Z01
Do you have an '86 Vette or a '90-'91??

My '88 GM Shop manual states that code 32 will be set if the EGR valve is detected closed under the following condtions:
-coolant temp > 176 deg F
-EGR duty cycle commanded is >75%
-TPS <1/2 throttle & >idle
-codes 21,22,33,34 not present
-all conditions above met for >4 minutes

It further states that: "The (EGR) duty cycle is determined by the ECM based on information from the coolant and mass air flow sensors and engine RPM.
I have a 1988 and last night I was driving the car all over the east valley. On the freeway I would change the RPM range from 3300-1700. Mainly because above 3300 and Im over 120. The reason I was doing this was to see if the SES light would come on ? It was back to city driving from light to light. Not one time did the SES light come on. But if I get on the freeway and sit at 1700-1800rpm after 10-15 minutes it will come on.
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 12:19 PM
  #12  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

As you see varying the RPM will avoid the code 32.

Since our cars have the EGR Temp switch, there is a way to fool the ECM into thinking it sees the correct feedback. Simply run a wire with a diode in line between the EGR Sol input from the ECM and the EGR Temp sw. Then when the ECM calls for EGR by energizing the EGR Sol that signal will immediately pull the EGR Temp sw line low, as though the sw had closed.
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 12:39 PM
  #13  
C4in mesa's Avatar
C4in mesa
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Default

Originally Posted by Cliff Harris
$90 for an EGR solenoid? Where can you get one for that price? Just out of curiosity, where can you get one PERIOD? As far as I know they have not been available for years.

Maybe you meant EGR valve?
Corvette central is the ONLY vendor who carries this part.
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 01:38 PM
  #14  
QCVette's Avatar
QCVette
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 90 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Default

Originally Posted by C4in mesa
Corvette central is the ONLY vendor who carries this part.
Rock Auto has two brands ($67 & $74)

Originally Posted by C4in mesa
.......The reason I was doing this was to see if the SES light would come on ? It was back to city driving from light to light. Not one time did the SES light come on. But if I get on the freeway and sit at 1700-1800rpm after 10-15 minutes it will come on.
That is exactly how my '88 worked too. I would only get the light when on the highway cruising for 10 or 15 minutes. I suspect that is one of the few times the conditions that 65Z01 stated are met for the conditions to set the light and code.
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 02:05 PM
  #15  
C4in mesa's Avatar
C4in mesa
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Default

What are the negative effects of running this code ? I'm wanting to avoid this particular repair at the moment. A chance for me to learn exactly what is going on here. I do know its all about emissions but what exactly ?
Reply
Old May 21, 2013 | 07:46 PM
  #16  
C4in mesa's Avatar
C4in mesa
Thread Starter
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Default

I found a EGR solenoid for a 1988 Camaro SS for $42 at Napa. It looks exactly the same except for how it attaches to the motor. Could this work ?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1988 code 32





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:27 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE