z28monster

iTrader: (1)

is there any type of a computer in an 83 z 28?

indy82z

iTrader: (5)

Yep...unfortunately they do...

Tom

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

what does the computer control.
would not having a working temp sencer affect my engine being its an 83 or is th sencer just for the gage.

Air_Adam

Mainly controls the carb, distributor, emmitions and other stuff.

Which sensor? If its on the passenger side, you NEED it because thats what turns your rad fan on (i'm assuming electric fan here) on the driver side its just a gage sensor.

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

its got an engine driven fan. the car runs perfect i was just wondering about it.

Air_Adam

If the fan is engine driven, then the sensor is the temp gage sensor. Take it out and your gage won't work, but taking it out won't do any damage.

montesa311

HAY Z28 MAN, YOU SHOULD POST SOME INFO ON YOUR CAR, I HAVE AMOST THE EXACT SAME CAR. IM GUESSING IS A 700R4, 4 SPEED BECASUE ITS AN LG4, ANY HOW, SNED ME SOME INFO ON IT, SONDS LIKE IT COULD BE SIMULAR, MONTESA311@YAHOO.COM

Z28guy83

youre computer i too have a 83 z28 that had a 305 with the computer the computer controls the carb timing and emmissions as someone already said but will run 100% after you remove it just youre engine light will be on (so youll have to pull the bulb)
oh your temp guage will work without the computer it runs off the side of the block and i think there is a sensor in the thermostat housing too i believe


just my .02

:lala:

Timz2882

iTrader: (1)

u dont need the stinkin computer, my car was converter over to non-cc about 10yrs ago.

fbody83

Yeah i have an 83 firebird and swapped to a 350. Im no longer using the computer and all my gauges work fine. I just need to tune the carb better. The check engine light does stay on tho but doesn't mean anything.

Air_Adam

Well, the computer isn't that bad... yea, its a pain in the *** to work around, but mine really only controls 3 things now: the carb, the ignition and the fan (L69). I think my car does perform much better with the computer on and working. Its not too much different with it disconnected (yes, i have tried this at idle speed) but its just a little more umm... unsteady? at idle, which drops as soon as i disconnect it from the 550 rpms it idles at down to about 400 and REALLY wants to stall.

I would keep the computer connected to your carb and distributor if i were you. You'll get a bit more performance out of it, as well as better gas mileage. Thats my experience anyway.

Cronic3rd

um the computer controls the distro advance soo it might be a bad idea to just rip it out. now a non computer carb and disto plus exnay on the emissions would be good.

crazycrocket

okay here is one guys... I have an 85 camaro lg4 5 spd... My check engine light has never come on and the computer seems almost dead yet it is there. I know for a fact it controls NOTHING... and my check engine light has only come on when my alternator had some issues.

So here is my question, is this just a diagnositics computer or was it disconnected?

is my carb supposed to be a coputer controlled one? It has 1 or 2 selnoids but they don't do anything, at least i think...

flyway190

stonedchihuahua, I suggest starting a new thread for your question on either the tech/general engine board or the carb board. Be sure to go into detail about why you think your computer is not working. If you're getting codes, the ECM is not disconnected. Your car came with a computer-controlled carb, and should have one if you have a computer-controlled distributor.

z28monster, if your temp gauge is not working it will not affect your ECM functions. The ECM gets its readings from the temp sensor in the thermostat housing, while the gauge gets its readings from the sender in the driver's side head in between spark plugs 1 and 3. If you want to know more about how the computer works and what it controls, I recommend doing a search on this site because it has been covered many times, particularly on the tech/general engine board and the carb board.

Air_Adam, are you sure that the ECM controls the cooling fan on an L69? From looking at the '85 and '86 wiring diagrams it looks like it's on a separate circuit.

crazycrocket

Well you see I think the engine or carb was swapped at one time and I like how it is now... I don't get error codes but I still get a service engine light with my alternator problems.