kitty88

I have a 88 Transam Firebird GTA and have a problem. the car will start and idle but when it is put into gear, the car goes for about 100 ' and then dies. I have replaced the fuel filter, don't know any of the codes, replaced the ignition switch and am at a loss as to what might be wrong with the car. Any idea's?

Sean O'Hara

does it just shut off, or sputter and die.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

What do you mean by "don't know any of the codes"? It only takes a paperclip to pull any codes the ECM might be throwing

https://www.thirdgen.org/service-eng...ht-error-codes

That is a great place to start if the engine is throwing any codes. Also, like Sean said, does it just die or does it sputter out?

kitty88

it just dies and I have no idea how to use the paperclip to get the codes

kitty88

thank you and that is a place to start

kitty88

thanks for the information. where would I use the paperclip? where would I put it? thanks for the website to decipher the codes.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

It's all in the link I posted:

A: If your car does not have the 12 pin DLC connector, you may not be able to manually "flash" your trouble codes. The language "may be possible" appears to suggest that this method should work with most, if not all, 12 pin DLC equipped cars.

THE CONNECTOR

-----------------------
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
| 7 8 9 10 11 12 |
-----------------------

DISPLAYING THE TROUBLE CODES
Run a wire/hairpin from Pin 6 to Pin 12 with the ignition off (although on later cars it should be from Pin 5 to Pin 6), then turning the ignition to the on position without starting the engine will flash the "Service Engine Soon" light in the following sequence: flash, pause, flash-flash, long pause flash, pause, flash-flash, long pause flash, pause, flash-flash, long pause Following this "12" code repeating three times will come any trouble codes stored, flashing each of them three times. If you do not see the "12" flash three times, your diagnostic circuit is defective. Some vehicles will display stored trouble codes, then "12" again, followed by energizing "most system controlled relays." The fuel pump relay will not energize. The idle air control valve will fully extend to enable checking minimum idle speed.


If you are asking where that connector is, it's on the driver side foot area under the dash near the fuse panel.

kitty88

thank you will check it out and hope it tells me what is wrong

kitty88

okay so the code said the problem was the mfa sensor and I do have a new one but I don't know where it goes. any one who can help me with this? thank you.

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

Do you mean the MAF sensor ? (Mass Air Flow) ? ....

(Discon neg battery cable first)
If so it is the tube looking plastic part, just take off the rubber air intake hoses, unplug the old one, un bolt it - bolt on top ... put new in and plug back in ... cake. Cave man stuff.

kitty88

thank you I will give that a try and hope it works thank you very much

kitty88

Okay so have replaced the oxygen sensor. advanced the throttle a few turns of the screw, same problem start but not staying running. someone said it might be the throttle position sensor? what does it look like and where is it located? thanks for all the help.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

You should never have to touch the throttle screw. You should test the TPS instead of randomly replacing it. It is attached to the passenger side of the throttle body and has 3 wires coming out of it. Another possibility is the Idle Air Controller.

See this tech article:

https://www.thirdgen.org/tpimod2

Dakota W.

The MAF sensor and oxygen sensor are 2 different sensors, if you replaced the oxygen sensor the problem will still be prevalent.

kitty88

thank you and would it still be the same if the car is tpi? would it be in the same place? do you have a picture that I could see? thank you.

AmorgetRS

iTrader: (6)

A picture of what? The TPS or the MAF?

kitty88

I know where the maf is and what it looks like so the tps

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

If you want to work on this engine yourself, I strongly suggest a Haynes or Chilton repair book. It will provide worlds of information and will pay for itself after the first project you complete.

In those manuals they give you step by step on how to adjust the TPS.


New TPS's are available at NAPA.

Unplug/Unscrew old one, notice how its lever is hooked on the throttle body lever. Attach new TPS(same as old), dont make too tight, hook wire jumpers from contacts about 6" long, leave some bare wire showing so you can put leads from voltage meter on the jumpers, from harness to TPS. Then turn key on(no start) adjust tps until meter reading is .54volts by turn the TPS, once set tighten screws, your done.


Here is a TPS on a TPI throttle body.

kitty88

thank you I will give this a try and hope it works for me

Jersey89GTA

iTrader: (1)

While you are there, right below it is the IAC, pop it out and clean it w/ carb cleaner, face springs down so you dont get the electronic part wet, squirt inside the IAC hole ... check length of pintle - from tip of IAC to wher gasket seats should be 1 1/8"

This may be the culprit also.

kitty88

thank you I will do that and hopefully between the two the problem will be fixed