Over the last couple of days, my '90 L98 auto convertible has been dying on
me. This is the calendar of events:

On Friday, while the car was stationary, in Park with the engine running,
suddenly it started surging and then died. I could hear a clicking sound
and when I opened the hood, the AC clutch and the radiator cooling fans were
switching on and off. Also, the Check Gauges and Service Engine Soon lights
were flashing on and off with the AC clutch and fans. I switch off the
ignition and restarted the engine and everything was fine. I checked the
codes and found codes 41 Cyclinder select error, 52 Engine Oil Temp Sensor
Low and 53 System Overvoltage had set.

On Saturday, I was driving around 35-40 MPH and the car started surging and
missing - the Check Gauges and Service Engine Soon lights were on but I
can't remember if they were flashing or steady. The car died and coasted to
a stop. I switched off and back on - everything was OK. No codes were set.

About an hour ago, while driving at about 40MPH it died. The Check Gauges
and Service Engine Soon lights were flashing. After switching off and starting up again, everything was OK. No codes were set.

Does anyone have any idea what's going on? I'm confused by the AC clutch & fans clicking on and off. I suspect this points to some wierd electrical fault, but I could really use some help. :confused:

Regards
David

 

I had a similar problem on my '91 Auto L98....I actually bought mine FROM my mechanic who tried for weeks to figure out what the problem was. He thought it was the anit-theft system maybe...or a fuel injector problem. Finally I broke down and took it to the dealer and they ran a diagnostic on it. It turned out my computer (ECM) was bad. Best $200 I ever spent. I have had zero problems since then.

I'm a big believer in supporting your local mechanics or doing it yourself, but sometimes the best answer may be to take it to the dealer and see what they say. :chevy


[Modified by Bodhi, 3:37 PM 3/12/2003]

 

:iagree: Sounds like the ECM is on the way out, however, also check the battery and connections. I had similar symptoms and it turned out to be an overtightened negative terminal. I pulled lightly on the cable to check it's connection and the whole terminal fell out of the battery! :eek: Whoever had installed the battery had really cranked down on the lead terminal and cracked it. Time and weather took it's toll from there.

 

Thanks guys for the advice. I keep hearing about the earths failing. Today, my car died again (in the most dangerous position on the road:rolleyes: ) and I felt it was fuel starvation. It would turn over OK, but wouldn't start except for a few coughs. I managed to get the car to the side of the road and fiddled around with the fuel pump wiring and it started. It may have been a coincidence. Also, the flashing lights and clicking AC clutch didn't happen. This may be an unrelated problem, who knows. :confused: When I got home I checked the codes and found 14, 22 and 43 set which are Coolant temp sensor signal low, TPS signal voltage low and EST circuit low voltage.


This is very frustrating, especially because I'm in the UK and there's NO WHERE I can take the car where I live. :sad:


[Modified by bestservedchilled, 10:29 PM 3/12/2003]


[Modified by bestservedchilled, 10:33 PM 3/12/2003]