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Anybody have an OBDii scanner I could borrow for a day or two? My car is up in Westminster where it died this morning. CEL came on during the drive up, and I cannot figure out for the life of me what is wrong with it.
First check for air, spark, and fuel.
You should be able to look up your car online and find out how to jump the ECU/ECM with a paper clip to get it to read a code for you. Then you can go home and look the code up online. What kind of car is it?
Yeah, its got all 3. I've done this sorta thing for years. A buddy loaned me his scanner and I'll take it up tomorrow and find out what the code is...once I figure that out, I'll have my car towed to the nearest parts store and buy the part there...
Ahh, good luck. If it's on the highway, you might want to notify CSP so they don't give you a ticket with hundreds of dollars of fines.
IM received.
Car is in a private parking lot right off the runway at Jeffco.
Sorry if it felt like I was talking before your knowledge level before.
Not a problem. Can't expect you to know what my level of knowledge is on any given subject :)
mightymouse
12-16-2009, 10:11
I have one you can borrow as well.
IM received.
Car is in a private parking lot right off the runway at Jeffco.
too bad I wasn't flight instructing there any more or I would have had one of my students practice water bombing on it[ROFL1]
So, got a scanner up there. Showed up as P0107, the MAP sensor was bad. Got the car towed to a nearby AutoZone, confirmed it with their scanner. Replaced the sensor, erased the code, and it still wont start. Gonna head back up tomorrow and trouble shoot.
I think it is fuel related now...
i had a camaro back in my younger years, after countless sensors, and electrical parts that the scanner said were not working, it ended up being the fuel pump...
I thought about that, too. But when I turn the key to On, I hear the fuel pump kick in.
doesn't mean the sock filter isnt' clogged up
Is there a master relay that could be messing up like on some older Honda's?
Or perhaps the grounds? Funny stuff always happens when grounds get loose.
Checked the relays, fuses and ground wires. Everything is intact.
Fuel filter is still flowing, as I can smell fuel in the engine bay when attempting to start the car. I'm fairly certain if there is a fuel problem, it is at the injector rail on the engine...
My goodness, U-Haul in Westminster wants $103 to rent a tow dolly for 1 day!!!
One in Aurora wants $45 [Whacko]
The Extractor
12-16-2009, 22:50
year, make, model, options ?
97 Chevy Cavalier convertible
Needs to be towed from Federal Heights to SE Aurora
Is the map sensor getting the required voltage from the harnes? It should have 5(ish) volts going to it. If it doesn't, that same 5volt supply may be being interuppted by some other sensor up the line. The p0107 code may have just been the first thing the computer saw, and thats why it threw the code.
Disclaimer: This is just a theroy. I am not professioal maineiac, I mean mechanic, nor do I play one on TV, nor did I stay at a low price hotel.
Alright, just got home.
So we plugged a diagnostic tool into the car. When I turn the key to on, but dont start, the computer in the engine reads I'm flooring the gas pedal, and as such tries to remove all the fuel in the system. The tow truck driver showed up about 45min ago and wailed on the gas tank with a hammer. Car started, then stalled as soon as we stopped hitting the tank.
So either the fuel pump is bad, or the ECM is. Either way, I'm boned.
Throttle Position Sensor, or TPS? I have seen a number of these go bad. You should be able to test it with a multi meter, and should be able to find instructions on how to test it on-line.
GreenScoutII
12-18-2009, 14:24
Well, maybe you're not completely boned. I'm pretty sure the fuel pump is mounted in the tank on that car, but it really isn't too bad to drop the tank. My sister had a 99' Cavalier with the same problem. I dropped the tank and changed the pump, it took most of a Saturday, but wasn't the end of the world. The labor is what would kill you on this repair if you took it to the shop.
My advice is to go ahead and get a Chiltons or Haynes manual for it and block out a weekend. Good luck!
I've got the Haynes manual (whenever I buy a car, I go get the repair manual the same day)
It'd be nice if it were the fuel pump, but ECM is my bet at this point. Perhaps the TPS, too...
Like I said, I'll be hitting salvage yards this weekend and see what I can grab...
Cavaliers, Sunfires and S-10s all use the same engine, so its beneficial there...
You can't access the pump from under the rear seat?
EDIT: Just saw your post. If it's the ecm, finding one a junk yard should be a snap and cost you next to nothing as well.
So I just went out to look at the car. Turned the key to on, then start...car fired right up.
Let it run, it idles fine. Shut it off, try it again...fires right up[Whacko]
GreenScoutII
12-18-2009, 15:56
Does it have the 3.1 V6? If so, check the AIC module. Idle Air Control. I had a Lumina with the 3.1 which died on me one day. Had it towed to a shop, the diagnosis was bad ECM. Shop changed ECM, still no start. One of the older guys at the shop had a hunch. He pulled the AIC off another Chevy and tried it. Problem solved.
Samething happened about 18 months later. I bought a new AIC from NAPA (about $50) and installed it. Again, problem solved...
Might be worth a look...
They stopped putting the 3.1 into these things in 94. This is a 97...I have a wonderful 2.2 OHV
IAC was the first part tested. Unplugged it and reset the ECM. Still wouldnt start.
Just for kicks, what happens if you tap the main relay with a hammer?
The car is starting and running fine now. I have no idea wtf is going on with it.
The car is starting and running fine now. I have no idea wtf is going on with it.
doesn't mean it fixed...
Have you tried trading it in for a Civic?
Actually, a Civic will just get stolen. Maybe an Accord or Camary.
Have you tried trading it in for a Civic?
Actually, a Civic will just get stolen. Maybe an Accord or Camary.
did you lost weight or something? [LOL] something looks different about your avatar/username... or is it just me?
I changed from Sturtle to Stuart and picked up the (fitting) jackass avatar. ;)
In real life, I've gained 20 pounds and am at my heaviest ever.
ryanek9freak
12-18-2009, 21:01
The car is starting and running fine now. I have no idea wtf is going on with it.
I however AM an ASE L1/L2 master automobile/heavy truck technician.
Sounds like classic Delphi fuel pump problems. What needs to be done is to have the fuel pump current ramped with a labscope and current clamp. GM pumps are famous in that, they love to draw alot of amperage and not work one day, then the car sits for a few days, and miraculously it starts up and runs fine. When you current ramp the fuel pump, you will be able to see in the wave form, how many amps it's drawing (typical is 5-6 amps), if it has a worn commutator, or worn brushes. Of course, this only helps if you know WHAT you're looking at and how to interpret it. And usually the average guy doesn't just have a $5000 labscope just lying around. I love drivability work :)
GreenScoutII
12-18-2009, 21:09
I however AM an ASE L1/L2 master automobile/heavy truck technician.
Hey Ryan9freak, by any chance do you know a cranky bastard in your line of work by the name of Charlie Terrell?
ryanek9freak
12-18-2009, 21:30
Hey Ryan9freak, by any chance do you know a cranky bastard in your line of work by the name of Charlie Terrell?
Can't say as I do. I haven't been in the field for over a year now, I left after 15 years and went to work for the Army building engines, in the National Maintanance Program.
GreenScoutII
12-18-2009, 21:41
Can't say as I do. I haven't been in the field for over a year now, I left after 15 years and went to work for the Army building engines, in the National Maintanance Program.
Ah, just thought I'd ask. That cranky bastard is my best friend.
I second the Fuel pump. I just went through that with my chevy pick-um-up. One night I was hanging out at my buddies place, decided it was time to go home, truck wouldn't start. I figured, oh well, I'll get towed home tomorrow, and since I couldn't drive, we proceeded to drink Bud Lite all night, (all I can say about BL, it's a reasonable facimilie to beer). Anyway, woke up the next day, and she fired right up and got me home. Next day after the hangover, she wouldn't start again. After LOTS of testing sensors, modules, and directly jumping the fuel pump to 12v (no, I didn't like doing that), I determined it was the pump. Bought a new one, pulled the 30 gallon tank, replaced the pump, hoisted that heavy A$$ 30 gallon tank back up (BTW 6" lift w/ 35" tires), and still no start.
Turned out it was a corroded ground inside the tank after pulling it again. Which seems to be a common problem with GM pumps. I was about ready to buy a new ECM before I found the pump problem. And yes, I have an ocilliscope, but didn't use it for this.
You may not have to pull the tank on that car, but if you do, it shouldn't be too hard. The biggest problem I've had with them is getting the filler nozzle off. Before buying an ECM, I would, CARFULLY, jump the fuel pump with 12v directly.
Just my 2 hundrethes of a dollars worth
Good Luck.
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