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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / Maintenance and Repair / January 2006

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1994 Plymouth Acclaim check engine light

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he1vis@yahoo.nospam.com - 28 Dec 2005 16:25 GMT
The check engine light keeps coming on in my girlfriends Acclaim.  It has
oil and coolant.  What else could be causing the light to come on?  Thanks.
Daniel J. Stern - 28 Dec 2005 17:15 GMT
> The check engine light keeps coming on in my girlfriends Acclaim.  It
> has oil and coolant.  What else could be causing the light to come on?
> Thanks.

The light means the engine computer detects a problem. This car has
on-board diagnostics that can help you figure out where the problem is.

To check the computer codes:

With the engine off, switch the ignition key on-off-on-off-on,
leaving it "ON". Do not
go to "start", just "on" during this procedure.

Watch the "Check Engine" light.  It will turn on, then go off, then will
begin to flash-out any trouble codes that have been stored. For instance,
if it flashes:

flash <pause> flash flash
<long pause>
flash flash flash <pause> flash flash flash flash flash
<long pause>
flash flash flash flash flash <pause> flash flash flash flash flash

Then you have a 12 (one flash followed by two) a 35 (three and five) and a
55 (five and five).  12 means "start of codes", 55 means "end of codes".
Check the codes and report what you find.
he1vis@yahoo.nospam.com - 29 Dec 2005 17:01 GMT
Hi Daniel.  I did what you suggested and I have a code 37 and a code 32.
Let me know if you know what those are.  Thanks for all the help, John.

>> The check engine light keeps coming on in my girlfriends Acclaim.  It has
>> oil and coolant.  What else could be causing the light to come on?
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> 55 (five and five).  12 means "start of codes", 55 means "end of codes".
> Check the codes and report what you find.
Daniel J. Stern - 29 Dec 2005 20:53 GMT
> I have a code 37 and a code 32.

32: EGR system fault

37: Transmission torque converter lockup clutch circuit open or shorted
(probably because somebody pulled the plug, which lives next to the trans
fluid dipstick).
he1vis@yahoo.nospam.com - 30 Dec 2005 07:17 GMT
Thanks Daniel.  I'll see if the plug is pulled for the transmission error.
What should I do for the EGR error?  Thanks again!

>> I have a code 37 and a code 32.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> (probably because somebody pulled the plug, which lives next to the trans
> fluid dipstick).
Daniel J. Stern - 30 Dec 2005 16:44 GMT
> Thanks Daniel.  I'll see if the plug is pulled for the transmission
> error. What should I do for the EGR error?

It's probably either a faulty EGR valve or a clogged EGR crossover pipe,
but could be another fault.
he1vis@yahoo.nospam.com - 03 Jan 2006 18:00 GMT
Upon closer inspection I find that the transmission sensor seemed to be
connected properly but I pulled it off just in case and noticed that there
is transmission fluid in the socket.  Is this normal?  I wiped it out with
some q tips and put it back on but I still get the error.  As for the EGR
valve, it looks to be connected properly (no hose cracks or anything), so
should I remove it and clean it with something?  I did notice that the car
will rev up and then go back to normal idle repeatedly while just sitting in
park.  I assume that is because the EGR is throwing something off?  Advance
Auto wants $69 for a replacement EGR.  Should I just replace it?  Will it
hurt anything if she were to drive it anywhere or will it just have crappy
gas mileage and the funny idle?  Thanks for any help.

>> Thanks Daniel.  I'll see if the plug is pulled for the transmission
>> error. What should I do for the EGR error?
>
> It's probably either a faulty EGR valve or a clogged EGR crossover pipe,
> but could be another fault.
Daniel J. Stern - 03 Jan 2006 19:48 GMT
> Upon closer inspection I find that the transmission sensor seemed to be
> connected properly but I pulled it off just in case and noticed that there
> is transmission fluid in the socket.  Is this normal?

Nope. Something's probably broken. Note that this code won't make major
problems for you or the car; you'll just lose about 6% fuel economy over
45mph if you don't fix it.

> put it back on but I still get the error.

You'd have to clear the codes and see if the 37 comes back -- they don't
self-clear. Clearing the codes is achieved by removing the negative
battery cable for 2 minutes, then reconnecting it.

> As for the EGR
> valve, it looks to be connected properly (no hose cracks or anything), so
> should I remove it and clean it with something?

You can try, though sometimes they're so carboned up that replacement is
the only option. The EGR valve on this car connects to an EGR crossover
tube, which is a metal pipe that runs from the exhaust manifold up and
across to the EGR valve where it sits on the intake manifold. This pipe
can and does eventually become clogged with carbon, necessitating cleaning
or replacement.

> I did notice that the car
> will rev up and then go back to normal idle repeatedly while just sitting in
> park.

Not normal.

> Advance Auto wants $69 for a replacement EGR.

Probably about what you'll spend, but check www.rockauto.com .

> Will it hurt anything if she were to drive it anywhere

A faulty EGR valve *can* cause collateral damage in addition to the
driveability and mileage reductions. This ought to be fixed.

DS
he1vis@yahoo.nospam.com - 09 Jan 2006 01:21 GMT
Thanks for all the help Daniel.  After cleaning the transmission sensor and
reconnecting it and replacing the EGR valve, all errors are gone.  You sure
know alot about the Plymouth Acclaim!  Thanks again!

>> Upon closer inspection I find that the transmission sensor seemed to be
>> connected properly but I pulled it off just in case and noticed that
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>
> DS
Daniel J. Stern - 09 Jan 2006 01:34 GMT
> Thanks for all the help Daniel.  After cleaning the transmission sensor
> and reconnecting it and replacing the EGR valve, all errors are gone.

Terrific! Is it running better?

> You sure know alot about the Plymouth Acclaim!

I've owned a few of them. For your next project, you may want to go
through the crankcase ventillation system; see http://tinyurl.com/yr2pg 
Also, when next it's time for spark plugs, note that the NGK ZFR5N, gapped
to 0.040", will improve driveability and idling.

Another thing to look out for on that car: cooked/cracked hoses near the
throttle body.

DS
HLS@nospam.nix - 28 Dec 2005 17:24 GMT
> The check engine light keeps coming on in my girlfriends Acclaim.  It has
> oil and coolant.  What else could be causing the light to come on?  Thanks.

In my experience, the CE light often reflects a condition such as a sensor
input
which is out of range of what the control module accepts as normal.
The sensor may be bad, or an engine condition may be present which generates
a sensor
signal which then trips the check engine sequence..

Could be a lot of things.  Don't throw parts at it..Have someone scan it for
you,
or take it to a mechanic who can diagnose the problem exactly.
 
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