Project: 85 2.8 bird

Code 42 & 44.

42: ESTC (sp?)

44: Lean Condition.

Haven't done the troubleshooting for these yet, but have read about them in t eh factory service manual. I do have the O2 sensor wiring going to the pass side O2 sensor. There is still one in the t-pipe. Maybe I should hook up to that one, but w.the wiring cut, can I use any wire to do this?

Fuel pressure is good too, 40psi KOEO, 36 psi running...meeets specs. Also having problems keeping it running. Rough & slow idle, stalls out. I can keep running w\ throttle plate playing. I have turned the distributor as much as I caould to advance it, but seems not enough. Maybe I might be a tooth off??

Idle is now about 800-900 rpm, & exhasut leak is gone. That sound

Also doesn't want to go above 20mph, but I beleive it's due to these codes. All wiring inspected good, except for some soot, & some slight isulation melting.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

Now it's just throwing the code 42. Got it to idle, & it surges, just ont he brink of stalling, then revs again. Does this from idle -~2500 rpm.


edit: it's about a 500 rpm surge

Project: 85 2.8 bird

found 3 possible problems/fixes:

Prob1. Due to my working on it @ night, I was able to see the coil arcing & hear it ticking to the arcs

Fix1. Replaced coil. Haven't mounted it yet, but it works.


P2. I finally found that damned EST connector. The plastic connector was melted. I didn't think it was making contact

F2. I pryed the connectors apart & used some wire to jumper them. It "seemed" to ruun better. It would still surge, but after about 5 stall outs it started tio run smoothly, but low rpm.

P3. I think the ditributor is a couple tooths retarded. I can rotate distributor unbtil it hits the engine, but doesn't seem like enough.

F3. I'm gonna pull distributor tomarrow ( today actually goimg by the time) and move it back a couple teeth.

The_Raven

Have you verified the timing with a timing light? If not you are just shotting in the dark, by what you posted literally.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

currently, or was, adjusting by rpm. Caint find my my chaolk, so I'm gonna snag some white out for the balancer & timing teeth. I should get a decent approximation from it. W/the estc jumper removed, after moving the distributor back a couple teeth

Project: 85 2.8 bird

Found the problem.

Got the engine to run somewhat, grab the timing light, & the shiz ws all over the place. Went to pull the ignition module, & found out that the reluctor ring (?), spins w/the distributor shaft, sits abovve the pick up coil, signals to the prongs, was free spinning. No wonder I was getting the crpppy code & non-engine running.

AZ & advanced auto waned $135 for a new distributor. Fudge that. I called around & got one off of an 85/86 cavalier fro $50 + core. Installed it, lining up rotor to where it was before, checked timing w/estc, then disconnected it & retimed. "about 12*, tightened up hold down & reconnected estc.

Drove it home. Now question, from the caarbed side of me. The timing is set, but the rpms are about 1000. How can this be adjusted, or should it? Car still wants to cut out a little bit, but maybe a hopefully working msd box will help.

TomP

Glad to hear you found the problem!

There's a procedure in the thirdgen.org tech section (off of the main thirdgen.org page) that describes how to set minimum idle.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

Thanks Tom, I'll look into it.


Now, the problems never end

Voltage regulater died. I checked it my self. Batt down to 11.26 while running, 2 volts out of the hot lead in back of the alternater. I'm either going to order the voltage regulater or get reman alt.