HELP! 94 grand am starts, but won't run

[94greenGA_GT]

So I have a 1994 grand am Gt V6 SE 2 door.

IT will start and die immediately if you don't hold the throttle open. If you hold the throttle open, it will run at higher RPMs or about 4 seconds, and then suddenly shut off. IT doesn't sputter and die when it dies, it cuts off like the battery gets unplugged... it is sudden.

Last time it ran was a week ago. Ran excellent. It has been running okay for years. THe only changes in conditions are that it is about 20 degrees cooler now (from 75 to about 55).

Any help at all is appreciated, i need to have this car running ASAP!

BTW, I am a toyota/nissan guy with ASE training in engine performance and steering and suspension. I can fix anything that is OBDII, but this car is OBDI, and I know nothing about it.

I am going to check or DTCs and look at the plugs, if anyone has ANY thoughts, please share. thanks

Joey

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF Joey !

Have you checked the fuel pressure?
Sounds like your fuel filter may be plugged up.
Or the fuel pumps bad.

IF its starting right up,
i'd say the igniition side of things would be fine.

thier might be some ODB-I codes in the thread titled GA trouble codes. I'll see if I can find them other wise.

[94greenGA_GT]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Welcome to AF Joey !

Have you checked the fuel pressure?
Sounds like your fuel filter may be plugged up.
Or the fuel pumps bad.

IF its starting right up,
i'd say the igniition side of things would be fine.

thier might be some ODB-I codes in the thread titled GA trouble codes. I'll see if I can find them other wise.

Thanks so much for your reply!

My OBDI connector has only 3 wires, and doesn't read codes when i ground pin A (top right) out. So there may be something wrong with my ECU.

The radiator cracked today. So now I will have to fix that as well.

Randomly my grand am starting running. It will only run without misfiring above 2000 RPM. It likes to die at anything below 1000. THe spark plug look like crap, but i don't see how to change the rear cylinder bank plugs. They are tucked way back there.

A new radiator is $187, and I have no clue why it is running like shit. Would you bother trying to fix this car?

Joey

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by 94greenGA_GT

Thanks so much for your reply!

My OBDI connector has only 3 wires, and doesn't read codes when i ground pin A (top right) out. So there may be something wrong with my ECU.

The radiator cracked today. So now I will have to fix that as well.

Randomly my grand am starting running. It will only run without misfiring above 2000 RPM. It likes to die at anything below 1000. THe spark plug look like crap, but i don't see how to change the rear cylinder bank plugs. They are tucked way back there.

A new radiator is $187, and I have no clue why it is running like shit. Would you bother trying to fix this car?

Joey

You're welcome !

Heres a pick of the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link (ALDL) connector or Data Link Connector (DLC).


This is how I check trouble codes, they can be read by grounding test terminal B. The terminal is most easily grounded by connecting it to terminal A (internal ECM ground). This is the terminal to the right of terminal B on the top row of the ALDL connector.

Once the terminals have been connected, the ignition switch must be moved to the ON position with the engine not running.

The Service Engine Soon or Check Engine light should be flashing. If it isn't, turn the ignition OFF and remove the jumper wire. Turn the ignition ON and confirm that light is now on. If it is not, replace the bulb and try again. If the bulb still will not light, or if it does not flash with the test terminal grounded, the system should be diagnosed by an experienced technician. If the light is OK, proceed as follows.

The codes stored in memory may be read through counting the flashes of the dashboard warning lamp. The dash warning lamp should begin to flash Code 12. The code will display as one flash, a pause and two flashes. Code 12 is not a fault code. It is used as a system acknowledgment or handshake code, its presence indicates the PCM can communicate as requested. Code 12 is used to begin every diagnostic sequence. Some vehicles also use Code 12 after all diagnostic codes have been sent.

After Code 12 has been transmitted 3 times, the fault codes, if any, will each be transmitted 3 times. The codes are stored and transmitted in numeric order from lowest to highest.

The order of codes in the memory does not indicate the order of occurrence.

If there are no codes stored, but a driveability or emissions problem is evident, the system should be diagnosed by an experienced technician.
If one or more codes are stored, record them.
Switch the ignition OFF when finished with code retrieval or scan tool readings.

Get the codes if thier is any nad I can tell you what they are.

You can get to the back plugs, you just hav to do them blind so to speak.
Using A short extention will usually help reach them.
A lot of folks us a swivle type deal but I always break the plugs when I us them.

As far as fixing it or not thats really up to.
IF you hav another car, or the money to replace it, then you could part with it.

Your troubles could be as simple as new fuel filter and plugs and wires.
THose are pretty cheap parts that need replaced more often then most people do.
And when thier not maintained,
you end up with problems .

[skibum1111]

Umm, I don't think 94 can be read by jumping the 2 terminals, it might have to be read with a diagnostic computer, same as my 95. The systems on these 2 years are a little different as the industry was trying to come up with a standard and technology was changing almost daily. Try an independant mechanic who has a few free minutes to plug into your car, they will be able to get the codes. Autozone ect. can't read these, they don't have the right equipment.

[xeroinfinity]

Hey skibum I forgot about thesse years being in DTC limbo

YEs, from what I've heard Autozones scanners arent worth crap! Heard several people going there to get a scan and they came back with no info.
I guess advance autos free scans are a little better, but still limited on what it picks up.

[94greenGA_GT]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Hey skibum I forgot about thesse years being in DTC limbo

YEs, from what I've heard Autozones scanners arent worth crap! Heard several people going there to get a scan and they came back with no info.
I guess advance autos free scans are a little better, but still limited on what it picks up.

What a bunch of crap. so where can i buy this mystical scanner?

Oh and by the way, chilton manuals suck. It told me to jump the pins.

Update-
I changed the spark plugs, and the wires. also put in a $165 radiator. Runs better now, but still real bad. The ECU is in limp mode, the engine is limited to 4000 rpm... I went for a drive, it seems like it has about 50HP. IT won't go up hill. Also, the coolant resevour is cracked, so the system won't pressurize, and it still likes to boil coolant.

SES light is on.... i need a diagnostic tool bad. Anyone wanna buy a super clean grand am? only 130k, 3.1V6, clean interrior, perfect body... MAke an offer. or else i will fix it and sell it locally. car is in oregon.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by 94greenGA_GT

What a bunch of crap. so where can i buy this mystical scanner?

Oh and by the way, chilton manuals suck. It told me to jump the pins.

Update-
I changed the spark plugs, and the wires. also put in a $165 radiator. Runs better now, but still real bad. The ECU is in limp mode, the engine is limited to 4000 rpm... I went for a drive, it seems like it has about 50HP. IT won't go up hill. Also, the coolant resevour is cracked, so the system won't pressurize, and it still likes to boil coolant.

SES light is on.... i need a diagnostic tool bad. Anyone wanna buy a super clean grand am? only 130k, 3.1V6, clean interrior, perfect body... MAke an offer. or else i will fix it and sell it locally. car is in oregon

OBD I has 12 pins, OBD II has 16 pins.
ANd you manual may be right on jumping the pins.

OK, if your Connector is like the one pictured above you dont need a scan tool. You can use the paper clip to read the codes.
If you hav any auto stores around in Oregon that can scan you car, I'd try them IF you cant get read yourself.

Did you get all the air out of the cooling system?
If theirs air in it, it will boil because a water pump cant pump air pressure that well.
You can probly get a used resivour at a salvage yard(if thier are any in Oregon), hell check Ebay for one

Your boiling over could also be a sign of an intake or head gasket failure.

Let me know if you get any codes ran.

Good Luck!

[94greenGA_GT]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

OBD I has 12 pins, OBD II has 16 pins.
ANd you manual may be right on jumping the pins.

OK, if your Connector is like the one pictured above you dont need a scan tool. You can use the paper clip to read the codes.
If you hav any auto stores around in Oregon that can scan you car, I'd try them IF you cant get read yourself.

Did you get all the air out of the cooling system?
If theirs air in it, it will boil because a water pump cant pump air pressure that well.
You can probly get a used resivour at a salvage yard(if thier are any in Oregon), hell check Ebay for one

Your boiling over could also be a sign of an intake or head gasket failure.

Let me know if you get any codes ran.

Good Luck!

I have a 12 pin connector, and grounding the pin does nothing. The SES light is on with ignition on (light isn't burned out). It just lights up the SES light with pin B grounded and the ignition on. No flashing, no code 12, just lit up. I need to go to an auto parts store, but It overheats too bad right now. i need a coolant resevour first. But I need to know how to read codes... does anyone have a 1994 GA?

[xeroinfinity]

94greenGA_GT,
GET the code #'s and we can tell you what the code is.
They should be listed on the Grand Am Trouble codes thread.

[94greenGA_GT]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

94greenGA_GT,
GET the code #'s and we can tell you what the code is.
They should be listed on the Grand Am Trouble codes thread.

I can't get the codes. The diagnostic system is either maulfuntioning, or i needa scanner to get the codes. If I do need a scanner, I have no idea where to get it. I have looked at ebay and stuff.

Joey

[skibum1111]

You do need a special scanner to get the codes out of the 94 and 95 ga's. Check with a local mechanic, see if they can scan it for you and get you the codes, then post them and we will tell you what they are.

[94greenGA_GT]

Originally Posted by skibum1111

You do need a special scanner to get the codes out of the 94 and 95 ga's. Check with a local mechanic, see if they can scan it for you and get you the codes, then post them and we will tell you what they are.

FINALLY!!! I am now closer to a resolution to these issues. The cooling system is completely ixed and sealed, and it works great. I was finally able to drive it to my work and use a snap-on MT2500 scanner on it. Worked fine....

Codes:

16- battery voltage too high or too low
35- Idle speed off (+/- at least 200 rpm from 888)
96- Tranny system voltage low

Code 96 is a big deal. The PCM keeps the car in 3rd gear to prevent erratic shifting rom irregular voltage. This makes my car sooooooo slow. IT also disbles the TCC (torque converter clutch).

And the high idle is probably a vacuum leak. No big deal... I can find that.

Anyone have any thoughts on why my voltage is so high? It registers like 16 volts on the battery gauge. thanks as always,

Joey

[skibum1111]

16 volts is too high, should be around 14. Sounds like your regulator is failing or there is a problem with the ecm, and my guess would be the voltage problems are related. Have your alternator tested, autozone can do that on your car without a problem. If the alternator checks out ok, have the ecm tested.

[xeroinfinity]

with Skibum !