[Shotimes] My SHO is having issues - wierd loss of power and then it stalled today

[Steve Tatro]

The 542 is an ignorable code on the MTX.  It is stored after a stall,
and does not indicate a fuel pump problem.

I notice you're replying directly to Weinrich, and I'm sure at some
point he suggested you check the fuel pressure, right?  So, did you?

It could very well be a CPS or CID, but those each store codes (at least
when they get really bad).  I think they're 211 and 214 respectively.
Not that I'm saying you shouldn't replace them, especially the CID since
it's so cheap and easy ;^)

Oh, and I don't totally buy into the "leaky waterpump causes failed CPS"
talk.  I've had waterpumps go bad on 2 SHO's, and never a CPS (furiously
knocking on wood).

You mentioned you completed part of the 60k service.  I guess you did
the top half?  If so, did you replace plugs and/or wires?

Regarding the crazy fuel gauge, I remember reading that some people have
a problem with this after "amateur" fuel pump replacements.  Could be
what's wrong with yours, but I'm not sure as I've never had to replace
mine.

Good luck.  I would do more diagnosis before throwing parts at it
(except for the parts you were planning to do for the 60k anyway).

Steve Tatro
Red/Black '93 with 166k miles
Cincinnati, Ohio





-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bruce Malachuk
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2003 3:08 PM
To: Steve Weinrich; SHOtimes
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] My SHO is having issues - wierd loss of power
and then it stalled today


Ok so I did a little more work on trying to figure this problem out. And
I am starting to think that it is leaning towards a fuel issue. I'm
still gonna replace the Cam Position Sensor when I get to the front part
of my 60k which is on hold till thursday so that I ca borrow a 250
ft/lbs torque wrench to make sure my car won't fall victim to futur
crank cancer from the ordeal.

I drove the car a bunch of times last night, in short little trips. And
finally after about the 20th restart of the engine, my fuel gauge
decided to tell me what's in the tank, or at least a believable amount.
Both the fuel pump and sender had previously been replaced in this car
by the previous owner, but I have noticed a few times that I'll be
driving along and then it will go from a 1/2 tank all the way up to way
over full. At this point I don't believe it is the sender, but perhaps a
loose or corroded wire, or perhaps it's grounding out somewhere and that
ia causing the issue. I am leaning towards fuel issues, cause of getting
the O2 lean codes, and the 542. I put 3 gallons of gas in the car when I
got off the highway and I haven't had an issue since doing that. I'm
thinking of pulling my fuel gauge from my 95 SE and hooking it in and
seeing if it reads the same as the SHO one. if it does that points at
the wiring or the sender. Seeing how it was a dealership install of the
fuel pump, then a few weeks later a fuel sender, I'm leaning to a wiring
issue. I'm calling the previous owner to see if he can fill in any
details about what was going on back when it happened. He's been a big
help it telling me about the issues he encountered with the 3 alt's the
car has had, till I fixed the issue with my dremel.

I wanted to thank everyone who answered me both on and off list for your
help and suggestions. for the extra $30 I'm gonna do the cam position
sensor too, and you all gave me things to look at that helped me narrow
down what might be going on. I hope it is only fuel related, which is
easy to keep track of.

Bruce
94 Opal Frost MTX
94 Deep Emerald Green ATX - w/90k gonna be parted