Now that the weather has cooled down (and I've been stuck quite a bit in the rain!) I seem to be encountering a periodic problem. Some mornings when turn on the switch (before I start it) the Check Engine Light will flicker. Then when I start the car, it runs very rough for 10 - 15 minutes then suddenly everything kicks in and runs fine! The code I get is for the Fuel Pump Relay. I've replaced that (initially ran fine) now the problem is back. When I changed the relay, I found the wires were coated with (I think) dielectric grease. The wires also looked pretty loose in the connector as well. (Don't know I can get them out to replace the connector or not??) Yesterday, it didn't clear so I stopped (at the carwash to clear the rain/road residue) and pushed the wires back into the connector. When I started her up she ran fine!!! Now, when the light is flickering it is running way rich and the instant mileage gage says either 0 or 85. When I connect AutoXray, I get no RPM, speed and a few of the other readings are not present. This looks like a wiring problem to me but where do I start!!! I have an 85 which currently has 62K (had 27K when I bought it 3 years ago). I'll be putting her away for the winter when we get our first snow but need to know what to do to rectify my current problem. Any help would be appreciated! :confused: :confused:

 

I would disconnet the battery for about 10 mins reconnet and see if that helps. :flag

 

Done that to clear the codes, problem still comes back. I also get a code that says the voltage is too high. I monitor that as I drive and it never goes above 14.6 which shouldn't set a code. I think it needs to go to 17 before it would set a code.

 

Check the engine grounds, sound like a a loose cable some where.

 

I am pretty familiar with this situation. It's usually the PROM in the ECM that is bad/going bad or the ECM itself.

Mine flickers when I burn a chip for my '85 and the chip is bad. I know instantly.

Is yours the stock GM chip?

Shayne

 

No, I had one burned by Craig Marcho on the forum a couple of years ago. I'm wondering about the ecm also, it won't go into and stay in closed loop. Is there any way of checking them to determine if they are working correctly? I can drop my stock chip back in next spring to see if that will do it. I'm at wit's end now!! And the driving season is almost over!! :cry :cry

 

It really sounds to me like the chip. That is EXACTLY what happens when I burn one, install it, and find it to be malfunctioning OR the pins not lined up perfectly.

You might just take the 30 minutes to drop the passenger kick panel, pull the ECM and get the PROM out. Make sure you note which way the notch is going for orientation. Put it in backwards and it will be dead.

Then re-seat that chip and see if the problems go away. These chips usually don't just burn out on their own.

The other thing you can do is ask Craig to send you the .bin that he made for your car. If he is too busy, I can help burn it for you and we can try that. By far the cheapest way to go.

Shayne

 

Thanks. I'll check with Craig for the bin and let you know. I've thought of putting the stock chip back in but I also changed to a 185* thermostat, will that be okay with a stock chip? I guess since the fan won't come on as soon it shouldn't be an issue...

 

Ooops somehow I got the posting in twice!! I'll be in touch. Thanks.


[Modified by Gregory VanLare, 9:32 PM 11/9/2003]

 

No problem on the chip, if it is a stock '85 just adjusted for the 180* themostat, I can take care of that easily and burn another one. It would be better if you could get Craig's original .bin though. If you can, instant message me and I'll tell you where to send it to. Better yet, I'll IM you my email address.

Shayne