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HELP Grand Am no spark

1.6K views 8 replies 4 participants last post by  pdvanocudadave  
#1 ·
Hi Guys I am asking for help once again on my kids car. It died at her work it started with her leaving on here dome light and draining her new battery. She try ed to jump it with no luck. One of my boys and I got it and brought it home. I am 1 week out after shoulder surgery. So the boys have to help me any way. No spark so I had the scanner hooked up and got a bunch of codes here :(are. Code 21-14-37-36-34-31-46-41-53-52. this is a 92 grand am with a 2.3 quad 4 auto.
 
#2 ·
21-14-37-36-34-31-46-41-53-52

21 Throttle Position sensor (high) (should be .42V at closed throttle, 4.85V WOT, linear)
14 Coolant Temp Sensor (high temp) (should be 185 ohms or MORE)
37 TCC brake switch circuit error
36 Crank position sensor error
34 Mass Air Flow (low/no signal) indicates HIGH vacuum
31 Wastegate Solenoid electrical signal failed
46 Pass-Key II (VATS) system error out of freq range
41 Ign control error (usually Cam sensor circuit failed)
53 System voltage too high
52 Calpak error (limp home mode calibrations "missing" in ECM)

All this piled together looks to be an ECM failure rather than all these things going bad at the same time. You could look at the temp sensor resistance and the TPS voltage and I'd bet that they're really OK, just the ECM is 'stupid'.

You could clear all codes by disconnecting battery with IGN OFF.

I had an experience with Pontiac ECUs over heating and the car shutting down. Let it sit for 15 min or so and it would fire up and run for an hour then shutdown again. Replaced ECU, problem solved.

Here's a source for when you're working on it.

http://www.gmtuners.com/OBD1_DTC.htm
 
#6 ·
All those codes are most likely as a result of low voltage. When the ECM is monitoring each component, it is testing by sending an input voltage then reading an output. With low battery voltage, the signals from each component appear out of range and therefor triggering a fault. Now, another option, thinking back to when the car was "jumped", did the terminals get crossed by accident? If so, the ECM may have been damaged and now is the actual problem.
 
#7 ·
Code 53 and 46 are telling the ECM (computer) that you are stealing the car.I work in a Chrysler and Dodge body shop and have drained a few dozen batterys and set off the security system.On the Chrysler and Dodge systems,the battery charger sets off the security system the first time and when I try to start the car the system is set off the second time.When I try to start the car again,the 3rd time,the ECM (computer) goes into a total shut down and the car will not do anything for a half hour till the computer clears.Now they are seting up the security system to sence if the door is open.The security system is set up by useing a coded key or a resistor in the key that talks to the ECM.GM uses a system alot like Dodge and Chrysler.Now the fix.Charge the battery and close the hood.Next,use your remote keyless entry and lock the doors.If you dont have a remote,lock the doors but do not turn past the center of the door lock to remove the key.Heres the fun part,Chrysler and Dodge will clear in about a half hour but I have had GM cars that took 12 hours to clear.When you go to start the carUse your best key or the cleanest one,unlock the door with the remote (best to use remote) or unlock with the key but dont turn past the center of the lock to remove the key.Now get in the car and close the door,the air bag sencers will sence you are in the seat.Start the engine and you may have to run the engine at about 2000 rpm for a minuit or two.The ECM may be stupid and you will have to retrain it.If this does not take care of it you are off to the dealership.Do a google search on pass key
 
#9 ·
On some cars I have had no problems by clearing the codes and some cars I have had many problem after clearing codes before starting the engine.Most times the car does not want to idle till after a test drive.I get it running first and then I clear the codes.I follow the steps above and I dont think I have had one that didn't start.I have been doing it this way about 10 years.The pass key system or security systems work with the fuel system,ECM,coil packs and alot of other parts that GM does not give good info about and I dont fully understand,and that is why I follow the steps above.