1988 Chevy Beretta Trouble reading trouble codes.

RAELENE

MEMBER
1988 CHEVROLET BERETTA

Computer problem
1988 Chevy Beretta 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

We purchased one the cheap code readers for this car, and when it's plugged in and ignition is on, the fan contiually runs. Now, the first code we get is the code 12, then when we wait for the next code, it will blink sparatically with no pattern, and causes the fan to speed up or slow down. Then it just goes back to the 12 code? Any ideas what it's doing?

5 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Hi, thanks for the donation. Not sure about the code reader? Did you try to access codes with a jumper wire? You should be able to access mil codes with the jumper wire. You place the wire between A & B terminals of datalink connector, turn the key till dash lites come on, no further. The mil starts flashing, you count the flashes to get the codes, your looking for two digit codes. The codes flash three times before moving to next code, if there is one. Yes, the fan will come on using jumper wire or one of those keys. If your code reader gives a digital readout, never used one for obd1?

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Monday, February 22nd, 2010 AT 11:26 AM

RAELENE

MEMBER
4 POSTS

We shouldn't need to use a jumper wire, as the code reader we have works fine. It is not digital tho. We are disconnecting the fan now, to see if this will help, cause for some reason it's messing everything up. Even when the car is running, it will run smooth until that fan kicks in, then it wants to stall out?
We have ordered a new ECM as we believe the current one has gotten some moisture in it. Maybe we'll have better luck once that gets here?

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Monday, February 22nd, 2010 AT 12:00 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

It doesn't hurt to double check codes with wire, may not help anything. I've seen check engine lites that wouldn't work, obd1, but, that low end scanner I keep at home, worked just fine on the same vehicle. I don't remember the year, make and model. Hope it works out for you.

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Monday, February 22nd, 2010 AT 12:53 PM

RAELENE

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I finally recieved a valid code. ( 51) So I guess we're on the right track with the ECM. Thanks again.

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Monday, February 22nd, 2010 AT 1:27 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Maybe prom or memcal, that is a removable part. The new ecm may not have this chip, meaning you have to take the chip out of old computer and install in new one. If chip is faulty, your still going to have problems. I'll see if I can find more info. The new ecm may fix it?