You're letting your son drive your Camaro to school??
CK5
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1988 Camaro Check Engine Lights
- Thread starter Jumppr
- Start date
Well, I bought it for him, but I do enjoy living vicariously thru him. Plus, he let's me drive it whenever I want. 
However, he just told me the light came back on this morning so I may have celebrated too soon.
Second EGR valve is failing also. Is there something about the way my engine is running that would cause it to fail in 3 days?
gmbellew
Registered Member
could be the wrong part? it shouldn't open on its own with the solenoid not connected.....
Well I got it swapped out with another from AutoZone and it didn’t help at all. This has got me way stumped. Newest valve will hold vacuum. Car still runs like shit and CEL constantly flashes.
gmbellew
Registered Member
check the codes if CEL is on.
it could also still be the wrong part. I've had bad luck with parts store EGR being the wrong type (positive vs negative backpressure) and had to get a Delco for it to be right. might try to fashion up a block off plate and see if that helps.
it could also still be the wrong part. I've had bad luck with parts store EGR being the wrong type (positive vs negative backpressure) and had to get a Delco for it to be right. might try to fashion up a block off plate and see if that helps.
Is it the right valve? There were two designs (one design opens with vacuum, one closes with vacuum IIRC Edit: see above for proper description), I have no idea what got which, but there were also hundreds of part numbers for essentially the same valve. GM didn't make the valves differently to increase the cost of producing a vehicle. But look at the aftermarket, and one of their EGRs supposedly served to replace dozens of the GM part numbers.
Not saying it IS the problem, but it can be, especially if a new one is problematic right off the bat.
The ECM triggering a code for EGR isn't likely to make the car run bad (assuming the valve is closed, just not responding the way the ECM wants when it tests operation). It doesnt with the truck TBI.
The CEL will not stay on. Only code I can get is the default 12. I bought an AC Delco replacement so that shouldn’t be the issue. I will double check to make sure there are no other markings on it.
I did double up the gaskets and the problem got better. Plus, I stopped at the store on the last ride for a few minutes. When I left the store the light didn’t come on once.
gmbellew
Registered Member
does the CEL flash any pattern, or just on and off rapidly? constant flashing, from a quick internet search, appears like maybe a bad ECM or memcal/PROM bad or not installed correctly.
Replacing the ECU was the first thing I did. I didn’t replace the prom though.
However, it’s completely gone away when I replaced the EGR the other day.
I added a second gasket to the EGR valve this afternoon and the problem got better.
Well, I removed the second gasket and tightened everything down again really good and light has been off all morning.
I wonder if you may not have an electrical problem rather than an egr problem. Have you eyeballed the harness real well? As low as the mileage is in this, it's sat for periods of time. Which attracts rodents.
I see no sign of critters. This problem only started in the last few months and we’ve been driving it for a little over a year.
I drive it around a bit today and the light stayed off for a while but came back. Again it’s only intermittent and doesn’t stay lit. Only code I can pull is 12. I cleaned the air filter and it seemed to help a little bit.
It does knock/ping a bit when I step on the gas. I don’t have a timing light, but I’m wondering maybe the distributor is taking a shit? It’s got me stumped to say the least.
gmbellew
Registered Member
I am confused on whether the engine light comes on occassionally or if it is flashing constantly while you drive.
Flashes constantly and inconsistently as I drive.
It never stays on.
gmbellew
Registered Member
the only thing that should make the engine light flash while driving is if it is in field service mode if ALDL terminal B is grounded (either jumpered to A, or perhaps a wiring issue). the flash speed varies based on open or closed loop. but it should not affect drivability, I don't believe.
but I've also read accounts of a bad ECM or PROM or Calpak, etc causing a flashing light while driving.
if the light comes on solid and later goes out, the code should be stored for 50 starts or power removed from the ECM for 30sec. so something strange is going on that no codes are stored.
but I've also read accounts of a bad ECM or PROM or Calpak, etc causing a flashing light while driving.
if the light comes on solid and later goes out, the code should be stored for 50 starts or power removed from the ECM for 30sec. so something strange is going on that no codes are stored.
