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Car Forum / GMC Cars / September 2005

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90 Buick Century idling rough

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Svien Stoicheff - 27 Sep 2005 04:05 GMT
I have a 1990 Buick Century that's been idling rough lately. It has the
3.3 V6 engine. The problem appears sporadically, and is most felt when
cruising at around 45 mph, with no gas. At times the SES light comes on
and stays on for a few seconds. The codes stored are 22 and 42.
According to troublecodes.net:
22 - TPS voltage was under 0.24 volts for 4 seconds when ignition was on.
42 - The EST signal did not change when the ECM applied bypass voltage
to the ignition module.
Fuel pressure is where it should be. No apparent vacuum leaks. Spark
plugs, wires and oxygen sensor were replaced less than a year ago.
I'd appreciate a pointer in the right direction. On a car this old, I'd
rather not use the trial-and-error method of replacing components until
the problem is fixed ;)
Thanks.
Svilen
Steve Mackie - 27 Sep 2005 04:35 GMT
Intermittents suck.

Start by checking the connections at the ECM.

> I have a 1990 Buick Century that's been idling rough lately. It has the
> 3.3 V6 engine. The problem appears sporadically, and is most felt when
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> Thanks.
> Svilen
=AB Paul =BB - 27 Sep 2005 04:48 GMT
> Intermittents suck.
>
> Start by checking the connections at the ECM.

Excellent suggestion.  You reminded me that those vehicles developed
corrosion in the ecu plugs.  The ecu is in the right kick panel.
Svilen Stoicheff - 28 Sep 2005 19:36 GMT
« Paul » wrote:

>>Intermittents suck.
>>
>>Start by checking the connections at the ECM.
>
> Excellent suggestion.  You reminded me that those vehicles developed
> corrosion in the ecu plugs.  The ecu is in the right kick panel.

I checked the ECM plugs last night. What am I looking for there? I
didn't see any corrosion or broken pins. One of those plugs felt like it
was not fitting snugly. I unplugged all three and plugged them back in.
Then I test drove the car, and it ran fine -- I couldn't reproduce the
rough idle problem. Should I have applied some contact-cleaning spray?
Steve Mackie - 28 Sep 2005 19:59 GMT
Contact cleaner, then dielectric grease.

> I checked the ECM plugs last night. What am I looking for there? I
> didn't see any corrosion or broken pins. One of those plugs felt like it
> was not fitting snugly. I unplugged all three and plugged them back in.
> Then I test drove the car, and it ran fine -- I couldn't reproduce the
> rough idle problem. Should I have applied some contact-cleaning spray?
GMdriver - 28 Sep 2005 23:28 GMT
You may need a replacement ECM. My '90 Century with 3.3 L exhibited similar
problems then failed completely one day, requiring ECM replacement. Also
check ignition module. Recent change of spark plugs and/or wires creates
stress on I.M., good luck.
=AB Paul =BB - 28 Sep 2005 23:37 GMT
> I checked the ECM plugs last night. What am I looking for there? I
> didn't see any corrosion or broken pins. One of those plugs felt like it
> was not fitting snugly. I unplugged all three and plugged them back in.
> Then I test drove the car, and it ran fine -- I couldn't reproduce the
> rough idle problem. Should I have applied some contact-cleaning spray?

If it continues to work that's great.  But if not, pull the ecm back
out, take it apart, and examine the pc board for corrosion, etc.
Pull the prom, clean the contacts and put back in.
 
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