Hello All new user with a CPU question

[gravis2000]

Hi, I have a 1999 Grand Am gt and I have a check engine error on my car. I have found out the the Air temp sensor is telling the CPU the air temp is -15 below zero all the time. I have replaced the sensor now I am being told it could be the wire or the engine CPU having owned this car for 6 years I am betting in the CPU. After 7 outer door panels fall off and 3 intake gaskets go bad I just expect the worst. Anyway how tough is it to remove the engine CPU box??

[grfnkl]

From what i have heard it is not that difficult to replace, just unbolt, unconnect, and then reverse for installation. I do not know if there is any programming involved afterwards. I do know though you have to be very careful not to build any static electricity and shock the new comp for the car, otherwise you may fry it. Hope this helps out a little and Good Luck.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by gravis2000

Hi, I have a 1999 Grand Am gt and I have a check engine error on my car. I have found out the the Air temp sensor is telling the CPU the air temp is -15 below zero all the time. I have replaced the sensor now I am being told it could be the wire or the engine CPU having owned this car for 6 years I am betting in the CPU. After 7 outer door panels fall off and 3 intake gaskets go bad I just expect the worst. Anyway how tough is it to remove the engine CPU box??

What was the exact PO code? May just be a short in the wire though, I hav seen where the plug is, that the wires in side the plastic get frayed and loose connection. Why spend the $$ on a new cpu if its not the prob.

And as grfnkl said, keep static away from either of the cpu's, old or new. It will fry them , no warrnty covers that.

[gravis2000]

Well I don't remember the error code other then it was the sensor. Yes it could be the wire. I HOPE it is I am just planning for the worst. I have to get the car emmisions tested by Feb 1st and they will fail it on the spot with a check engine light on.

[xeroinfinity]

Also gravis2000 , if you replaced the bad part and the lights still on, you will hav to get the code cleared. Not sure what your year is, but if its newr, you'll need to get a code scanner and clear it with that tool.

[gravis2000]

I remember about clearing the code. I have done that, you can disconnect the battery for 30 min that will clear the code out as well. I will get the wire checked out fully as I did replace the sensor that didn't work of course. Let me ask all you guys this. Have you had a lot of issues with you GA over the years?? I have had a boat load.

[xeroinfinity]

gravis2000 , the battery trick , i dont think it works on the 99's(if thats the car ur talking about). You will hav to hav a scanner to clear that code.

Oh ya I hav had two boat loads of trouble. But I abuse my car on a daily basis. The usuall wheel bearings/hubs(4X), and Intake gaskets(5X). The trick is dont use impact tools on bearings(i didnt-dealer did) and use the proper Intake gaskets w/the metal ring(tsb from 2003).
Most recently i hav replaced my LIM 3X in 2 weeks, ended up being my head gasket leaking into the oil.

But I hav seen alot of others with totally diferent problems. So good Luck with yous, hope this helps out.

[grfnkl]

Like Xi said some people have more problems then others, for instance, I've only had a few problems with my 02, biggest being my cat converter causing several other issues. but for me, i've only put a thermostat, cat conv., and new inner and outer seals on my trans (other then regular maint.) And i have 70K+ on my GT as well... so go figure, plus I'm gonna go knock on wood now.

A side note, although i may not have had many mechanical issues i have been in several accidents, so i maybe making it up in physical repairs not mechanical....

[xeroinfinity]

Lmao!
you only hav 70k grfnkl?

I hav 128k, I also replaced the trans axle seals, and crankshaft seal. I could run down this gigantic list of all the repairs I hav done, its a big list. Not nothing I wouldnt expect out of a car with 128k and drivin to/on the edge as much as possible. lol. I hav spent more on repairs then what the car cost.

[grfnkl]

Well mine is actually 72K, which is pretty high for an 2002. i should be at 50 something at most, for the "average" vehicle. hahah. I try not to beat mine up that often, only when it deserves it, or someone else deserves it.

[gravis2000]

The error light does go out because I tried it and it went away for a little while then came back about a half hour later. I have had 3 intake gaskets, water pump, radio, oil sending unit, Ignition cylinder in dash, Thermostate, Gas gauge sending unit, power steering pump, 6 outer door panels that fell off the 7th is being held on by sheet metal screws, My window motor went out last month I replaced that myself. I just hit 132,000 miles and I put synthetic motor oil in since new. Oh did I mention that the sun roof won't open every once in a while? I can't figure out why GM is in trouble? I would really be afraid to buy another GM car other then the Vette because of quality issues. It's a shame to because the car really does ride nice and handels well. The reason I bought it, I had a 92 Cavalier and I put 66,000 miles on it and it already had 65,000 and I only had to buy a altenator for it because I hit it with WD 40 by accident and shorted it out other then that not a bit of trouble. I get a new car and all the trouble of a used car with new car payments. Uhhhh. I bought an extended warrenty and the company went out of business The only bright side there was the car was so bad that I already got my money back in warrenty repairs before they went belly up.

[Gir-_-]

thats, alot of shit lol wow.

Im sitting at 150k+

Got mine used and so far its been the crankshaft pulley, heater core hoses, and other coolant hoses replaced.... guess Im just lucky
Alot of problems I see with GAs is something cpu or electrical related, or the whole thing just gave up or blown a gasket lol

[xeroinfinity]

ok maybe i havnt had That much trouble!.!
As of now 6 intake gaskts(3 under waranty), 1 head gaskt, 4 Hubs(3 on waranty), new power steering hoses & set of new O2's this last spring. Several trans fluid/filters. Oh, and a set of CV joints and , the trans seals, crankshaft pully and seal. You guys can keep those electrical probelms, I dont mind
BUt I guess the intake mods and exhaust. My last incident was costly...