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89 Buick Skarlark idle issue


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KrAzY
Novice

Apr 4, 2008, 3:08 PM

Post #1 of 14 (4999 views)
89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Car Specs:

Make/Model: 1989 Buick Skylark custom
Engine 3.3L V6
Mileage: 148k


Problem:

Hello, I am having a problem with the idle on my 1989 Buick Skylark it started this winter when randomly apon starting it up cold it would rev very high rpm's and not drop back down and accasionally the check engine soon light would come on then after ya took off with it about a mile or so down the road the light would go off and when i came to a stop at a destination with the car the idle would be back to normal,And when restarting the car the idle would be normal as well and i just blew it off thinking something was froze/stuck from the extreme cold as it only did it randomly in the cold weather after it had sat a while.

Then it became more frequent to where i never knew if when i started it up if it was going to rev high or idle normal it was a hit and miss kinda thing.

Now it is getting warmer out and the problem has gotten permenant now everytime i start the car it idles way higher then it should in park and in Drive and it wants to jump to take off because the idle is too high, And the check engine light is on almost all the time now but randomly shuts off.

I am wondering if there is a idle control unit or something on this make of car that has gone bad finally causing the check engine light to come on and not drop my rpms down on my idle ?? I would take it in to a garage but for this many miles on the car and the year of the car i don't want to put in alot of $$ in labor for a car that probably blue book now is only worth $500 despite it's good condition.Unsure

Other then this problem the car has run and drove great other then a slight miss accasionally when idling at normal rpm's...Doesn't use/leak a drop of oil or anything else..So i am hoping it is just a idle sensor or idle control unit ect that can easily be replaced and fix my problem..But then again i never was one to get lucky on a easy fix : /

Any help would be greatly appreciated and i thx you for your time.


dave284
Enthusiast
dave284 profile image

Apr 4, 2008, 5:14 PM

Post #2 of 14 (4991 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Theres a couple of things that came to mind.....cold start valve/idle air control valve/ect...but the only positive way to be sure is to have the computer codes retrieved and readUnsure


KrAzY
Novice

Apr 5, 2008, 1:46 PM

Post #3 of 14 (4979 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In


In Reply To
Theres a couple of things that came to mind.....cold start valve/idle air control valve/ect...but the only positive way to be sure is to have the computer codes retrieved and readUnsure

I was affaid of thatUnsure And now it is not idling correctly even when it is warmed up and been drivin the idle isn't quite as high after it has been drivin and put in park but still well over what it should be.

Also new symptom has joined in the mix..When it is started cold and drivin..when you hit accelerator it tries to cut out and die then takes off..and i can release pedal and press it slightly again and everytime accelerator is pressed down it momentarily tries to cut out and die then accelerates.

I guess I am going to have to take it in and have it put on a computer like you stated i guessUnsure.


dave284
Enthusiast
dave284 profile image

Apr 5, 2008, 7:43 PM

Post #4 of 14 (4974 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

With all those problems you describe....thats what (I) would do, let us know what the codes are when you get them,Unimpressed


KrAzY
Novice

May 24, 2008, 11:50 AM

Post #5 of 14 (4932 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Well i finally got someone with a snap-On scanner to hook up to my buick and he said all the new code readers don't have adapters to fit on older cars?? So this tool was the best he could do.I dunno if these will help as all other codes i have seen peoplehere post are 3 digit codes not 2 so i dunno if this is right or not or if i need to have someone use a different reader ?? This was done with engine off key on with scanner reading codes saved in cpu.

The following codes were saved in the computer :

1) code #28 3rd gear circuit

2) code #27 2nd gear circuit

3) code # 26 Quad Driver Module

3) code #22 Throttle position too low

4) code #48 Misfire fuel ignition problem

Now the first 2 i am aware of why those codes are thrown because the transmission was stalling coming out of overdrive like a manual clutch when you just try and stop without putting in the clutch, And i was told to quick fix this problem without haveing trasnmission rebuilt was just to unplug the sensor from the transmission and it would shift fine only i wouldn't have the last 2 gears.I am told this happened alot in this type of car and there was no fix for it other then a new transmission to fix the electronic overdrive..I dunno if ther is anyother way to fix this or not : /

As for the other codes i have no idea what they mean especially my 3rd code #22 the car revs high rmps and cuts out when pressing gas pedal slightly so how can it have a throttle position too low ?? Enless the Throttle Position Sensor is bad and the computer is trying to make up for it by reving engine ??

Anyway i hope someone can make heads or tails of this...The codes don't really tell me anything other then there is some problems but it isn't specific in telling me what the problem or parts needing fixed are.


(This post was edited by KrAzY on May 24, 2008, 12:15 PM)


dave284
Enthusiast
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May 24, 2008, 7:31 PM

Post #6 of 14 (4922 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

The code 22 tps sensor low, means that the sensor itself is bad/ or is not adjusted properly, or the wiring to it is bad., and that can cause a misfire code to come up.


KrAzY
Novice

May 25, 2008, 10:24 AM

Post #7 of 14 (4918 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In


In Reply To
The code 22 tps sensor low, means that the sensor itself is bad/ or is not adjusted properly, or the wiring to it is bad., and that can cause a misfire code to come up.

I hope it is that throttle sensor because it isn't too costly if it is the Ignition Air Flow Meter / Mass Air Sensor that is bad that goes anywhere from $209-$350 dollars to replace..I guess i should try the cheaper of the 2 sensors and will try to replace the throttle sensor first..I'll check back and let ya know how it goes ty dave.


(This post was edited by KrAzY on May 25, 2008, 10:26 AM)


dave284
Enthusiast
dave284 profile image

May 25, 2008, 2:15 PM

Post #8 of 14 (4915 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Most of my customers don't mind salvage parts, I've got a U-PULL salvage yard 20 miles from me and sensors like that are $15.00 and if it doesn't work they'll take it back and refund the money,maybe there might be one in your area.


KrAzY
Novice

May 30, 2008, 12:05 PM

Post #9 of 14 (4900 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In


In Reply To
Most of my customers don't mind salvage parts, I've got a U-PULL salvage yard 20 miles from me and sensors like that are $15.00 and if it doesn't work they'll take it back and refund the money,maybe there might be one in your area.

well i i have tried 2 things now and the problem is now worse off then when i started Unsure I* was told the Throttle Position Sensor was only for driving speeds not idle problems...Is this correct ???

and that if my problem was high rev idle in park not moving it was due to the idle air control valve..So i tried the 2 things recommended.

1) I was told "sometimes" because of the carbon buildup it sticks and you can just clean the valve with some throttlebody/injector cleaner rather then replacing the thing, so i tried that first and used a old toothbrush and cleaned it as good as i could ( it was carboned up quite a bit ) and let it dry for a few days..Then put it back in and hooked up the wiring to it then when i tried to start the car it just cranked over and sometimes sputtered but would NOT start...Now if i pressed down the accelerator it would start and run but as soon as i let off the accelerator the car instantly died so cleaning the part and replacing it seemed to have made the problem worse...So i assumed the valve was probably stuck or bad and cleanign it only made it stick worse...So i went on to step 2.


2) I went to a scrap yard and found a few of the same idle air valves and decided my best bet was the one on the car with the least miles on it alot of them had over 200k miles but the one decided to buy and try the vehicle only had 102k miles on it.So i put it in and rehooked up the wire plug and proceeded to start the vehicle again and same problem it just sputtered and would not start/idle and if i press down the accelerator again like before it will start and run at high rpms but as soon as i let off the accelerator it will instantly die again.


So safe to say i am kind of frustrated right now because before i even messed with it the car run/start fine it just had a tendency to idle high and throw a check engine soon light but was still drivable..Now i have made the problem worse somehow by trying to replace this idle valve the car won't even run or idle at all now.Only way to even start it pressing down the accelerator and keeping it pressed to keep the car even running.

I dunno if the used part was also bad or what but the problem now is worse then before i messed with the idle valve.

And a new one is about $72 bucks and i dunno if i want to pay that and still not know if it will fix the problem or not..And everyone i have asked says there is NO way to test them to see if it's working properly.

Also is there a relearn proceedure that needs to be done after replacing a idle control valve ??


(This post was edited by KrAzY on May 30, 2008, 5:46 PM)


dave284
Enthusiast
dave284 profile image

May 30, 2008, 8:54 PM

Post #10 of 14 (4891 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

http://www.autozone.com/...eId=0900c152800bcb90 here are some ways to test the IAC,I'm sorry youre having trouble, but have patience,we all go thru the same thing on one or another on these vehicles.


KrAzY
Novice

May 31, 2008, 1:20 PM

Post #11 of 14 (4885 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Ty dave!!, I got it up and running again now i guess the ecm/pcm just had to relearn/reset the IAC i started it up and it would die..So i followed the prodecure and run it at aprox 2k rpm ( just guessed as i don't have a tacometer ) for 7 minutes then let off the accelerator and the car dropped down to a idle..Then when i tried to drive it..it would die after accelerating down the road for a bit then stopping..In which case i think it ALSO had to relearn the idle speed when in gear because i drove the car aprox 5-7 miles accasionally stopping and starting and now it idles nice and smooth in park and or in drive/reverse as well..It does however idle a bit lower then it did before but i'm not going to take out the IAC again and adjust the pintle to raise the idle i'm just happy the car runs correctly now again and it is driveable :) Also the check engine soon light has shut off now.


Again thx for all the help it is greatly appreciated..I'm just glad there is places like this with people willing to help others that can't really offord taking there vehicles to a repair shop.


KrAzY
Novice

May 31, 2008, 5:06 PM

Post #12 of 14 (4883 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Shocked I spoke too soon, after driving it around town and stuff for a while today running erands the check engine soon light has come back on every now and then and shuts back off again *sigh* Do i need to disconnect the battery and dump the old codes from the ECM to reset the check engine soon light ?? Or is the CES light coming back on and off because there is still a problem ??


dave284
Enthusiast
dave284 profile image

Jun 1, 2008, 9:54 AM

Post #13 of 14 (4868 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

I know its aggravating, cause I still run into these problems myself. The ecm plays a big part of the engine's performance,and I can say these computers will throw you off......my advice would have the codes read again, cause there is chance another problem could have occurred....and if the same codes came back I would be thinking of replacing the ecm.....salvage part.


KrAzY
Novice

Jul 12, 2008, 3:25 PM

Post #14 of 14 (4827 views)
Re: 89 Buick Skarlark idle issue Sign In

Ok this is getting really spendy and agrivating Unsure I have replaced the IAC valve/sensor and the Throttle position sensor and none of the codes have changed still getting code 22,26,27,28,48 after dumping ecm memory and rechecking codes after running engine.

But 22 should have been fixed when i replaced the IAC and TPS but engine still idles high alot of the time then other times it drops to idle it should be at,And when i'm driving the car and accelerating at a constant speed above 35mph or so the check engine light goes off..Then when i let the gas off and slow down to come to a stop it comes back on.
48 is usually the map/maf sensor bad BUT sometimes a bad throttle control sensor will throw this code also along with the 22 won't it ??

My question now is after i allready replaced the IAC and the Throttle position sensor why am i still getting code 22 ?? And if the 48 is indeed a bad mass air flow sensor would that also throw the 22 ??

Or god forbid is is possible that the brand new throttle position sensor i put in is no good in the first place and still throwin 22 ?? I'm running out of ideas and patience on what else to do to fix this problem.

Only other thing that comes to mind is that perhaps none of the codes changed after replaced the sensors is because the ecm itself is bad ???


(This post was edited by KrAzY on Jul 14, 2008, 8:49 AM)






 
 
 






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