89 olds cutlass supreme

[drewmitch44]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Ok Im going to post the codes now. Its the check engine light right? Thanks!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Yes. The light flases out the codes. You can find an index for them online somewhere. I did it with my Ciera all the time. I believe it flashes out a control code or something for the first code and the last code to let you know when it's done.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

The first code will be a 12. It should repeat 3 times.

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Yea that is low miles on that 3.1. IMO the late 80's and early 90's were some of the most durable, bulletproof and user friendly powertrains to come from GM since the early 70's probably. Seen many a 3.8, 3.1 or TBI 350 running good with 200k+ miles on the engine and HydraMatic trans.
Most of those clunkers are gone now
A far cry from melting plastic intakes and dexcool time bombs.

Still sounds fuel pump related to me and I agree bigtime that troubleshooting is the key to fixing a problem right the first time and in a cost efficient manner.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

I got some flash codes and it seems long to me. How many should it be? It was like really long. The paper I wrote them down on is im my wife's car and she should be home a little after 12. It was a lot of 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 1, and what not. Im not sure how to determine what it all means but ill post them here shortly. Thanks guys!

 

[Zeeter]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Don't get suckered in to being a code reader. False codes can be generated by basic problems such as weak fuel volume and vacuum leaks. Notice I said volume not pressure? Do the basics first.

 

[dolluper]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Ok is this right you get flash flash flash pause flash flash if so thats code 32 which means intake manifold pressure is off ....threw the EGR system....so check around EGR valve for an air leak ,like a split hose or disconnected one or carbon filled EGR no functioning.....valve itself leaking//bad gasket at EGR and intake

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

ok here are the codes I get 1-2 then 3-3 then a 3-5. I understand how to read the codes now and Im getting 3 flash codes. 1st is the 1-3 it flashes it 3 times then the 2nd is the 3-3 it flashes that 3 times then is the 3-5 it flashes that 3 times and then it starts over to the 1st one and so on and so on. what do these codes mean? The car drove fine this morning and now its doing the same thing again. I did not really do anything to fix it it just started up and drove fine! Now I was going to go to DMV and it died as soon as I pushed on the gas again. So here is the codes! PLEASE someone help me Im at my witts end with this car. Also the cooling fan came on when I plugged in the paper clip to the port. Then cooling fan by the radiator has never came on and I thought it was the sensor! PLEASE!!!

1-3
3-3
3-5

 

[aspeck]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

13 is 02 sensor
33 is MAP sensor voltage was too high for 4.8 seconds when throttle angle was less than 2%.
35 ???? you got me.

I think you might have a fuel pump problem, but there is a possibility it is the fuel pump relay. Here is an easy check ...

On the firewall, in the middle of the engine compartment close to the hood are 2 rectangular black relays. These are the fuel pump relay and the A/C relay. They are identical. Disconnect both and switch them. I have had instances where after doing that BOTH the A/C and Fuel pump would work. If after switching the car runs well, but the A/C doesn't work, you know what you need, and the cost is about $15 - $20.

The MAP sensor could be caused by lack of fuel ... fuel pump or relay.

The O2 sensor, easy and cheap to replace, or remove it, heat the exhaust end till it is cherry red. Let it cool and replace.

Disconnect the battery for 15 seconds to clear the codes.

 

[dolluper]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Code 35 IAC....idle air control ,,,,bad reading at 4% throttle

 

[Zeeter]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Code this, code that. Uh oh.. The battery is dead. DO the basics.

Seen way too many certified technicians chase their tail without doiung the BASICS. DOH!

 

[matt4574]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

All of those codes can be caused by low fuel pressure or volume. Check the fuel pressure if you do not own a tester go to one of the big chains and rent one. Being a mechanic i would rather you bring it to one off us but the economy has got alot of people that would normaly bring there cars in doing there own repair , that is great but sometimes it is cheaper to take it a repair shop. On that motor most problems are easy to find and fix .

 

[dolluper]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Well I will tell you the codes can be very helpfull so you don't throw dollars away .....but you have to be skilled in exactly what to look for when you get them...like lean O2 sensor reading is usually vac leak or fuel pump you test accordingly ...just don't dispell the code reader ....but if your battery is no good you can get lots of bad codes I'll agree to that.....chargeing system and battery condition very important

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

I love my OTC Genisys diagnostic computer but it is only one step in the trouble shooting process.
Troubleshooting is the key to fixing the problem right the first time and I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

if you talk nicely to your local parts store sometimes they will let you borrow a code scanner if you can't get your car to their location.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

I hate problems like this!!! It ran great yesterday! The spedometer is off by like 20mph!!! What is that? It ran awesome!!! now today it is doing the same thing!!!! WTF IS GOING ON??? Now the only code is the 12. It worked so well yesterday! I ran the car about 45 miles.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Man I hope this thing with the speedometer being off is not the sign of a electrical problem. And the fuel pump relay is not in the fuse block where everyone is telling me. It has its own location with a pop off cap near the battery. it will now run and idle but as soon as I try to give it any gas it dies out. You guys still think It is the fuel pump? Also the fan on the radiator does not run with the car ideling. When i put the paperclip in to get the codes when the motor is warm the fan comes on. So Im not sure what is going on! Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[dolluper]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

It is normal for your fan to run when you jump the connections.....you have to run at least four cycles before a code will show up ...that is at least four seperate starts....it is sounding more of an electrpal issue .....check at your starter there are fuseible links ....check for greening also check your vehicle grounds,,,,make sure your battery is fully charged and system is chargeing

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

Well it runs so it must have spark.
It idles so it has some fuel.
When you try to go WOT it falls on its face, is the spark blowing out ? I doubt it
When you go WOT the injectors spray alot of gas, if there is not alot of gas in the fuel rail, it falls on its face. Classic symptom, piece of cake diagnosis.
Of course replace the fuel filter first and also check the fuel pressure, fuel pumps in the tank.

Also this car's electronic engine control probably wont detect a lean condition due to fuel starvation triggering a check engine light, pretty basic and "crude" engine management from GM in those days, but very dependable and almost never just "doesnt run", might run badly but it'll run.

Electronic engine controls got much more sophisticated in 1996 thanks the gubmint mandated OBD2 standard. Also much more tunable.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: 89 olds cutlass supreme

One more thing I just discovered. THERE IS NO AIR FILTER IN THE FILTER BOX!!!! Could that have clogged some Injectors? Thanks!!!