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1988 Chevy Celebrity car dies

Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 195,000 MILES
My car will start, but runs rough, smell like its running rich. Drive it for half hour or so and it dies, most times will start right back up but will die right again, after several attempts to go it just wont start any more. I have unhooked battery to reset computer and sometimes that works but only after it sits then it drives and does the same again. Sorry all the money I have on my unemploment card.

1988 chevy cleberity 2.8 front wheel drive with over drive.
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 4:18 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
First step do not disconnect the battery after it dies, lets read the codes first. here's how:
Cross these two terminals as shown, then turn the key on. Count the flashes, a 22 will flash as 2 flashes then a short pause, then 2 flashes, if more than one code is stored, the pause will be longer. The codes will display three times and end with 12. Write them down and post here. This connector is right under the middle of the dash...


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_ALDL_5.jpg


Connect A and B with a paper clip or jumper wire turn key on read codes. Post all stored codes!
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 5:21 PM
Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I did code and it showed a 12 every time
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 5:55 PM
Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I havent been driving because afarid it will have to be towed. It was running, but rough and really rich can smell the richness so I started a few times tryin to check things, now wont start and is pullin just the 12 code up. It wont start now at all.
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 6:11 PM
Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Not thinkin I had paper clip in still and tried to start and wouldnt took out and it started, still rough and rich, wont pull any code but 12. Lettin run in place to see what happenes now. Let you know in a few. Thanks
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 6:23 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
O2 sensors are most likly the problem and these B-I _T_C_H_E_S almost never set a code in these oldies.
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Ok I let run and it died, started right back up, let run few minutes and started running badly and tried to give gas and it got worse and then died, now will start but runns really bad, like not on all cyl, or not gettin enough gas maybe, fuel pump maybe, still no codes but 12
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 6:41 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Try unplugging the o2 sensor and see if it a. Runs better and b. Throws a code. Do the same with the ECT(engine coolant temp sensor) This is like the choke for efi cars.
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 6:46 PM
Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Unpluged o2 sensor and the coolent sensor, still runs relly relly rough now, but will start, cant give gas or will die, nothing changed when sensor was unhooked and no codes still, unhooked o2 and rehooked to see difference and nothing happened, unhooked ccoolent sensor from radator nothing happened. Now though it is running at its worst though, no codes, dont know. Like missin cly or something, not gettin enough gas, but will start, just runs like s, /
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Use that volt meter on the orange and black wire on the aldl test connector, is 12 volts present?
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
CLYNCH1968
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
No volt meter right now, any other idea
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Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 7:23 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Yes, go to radio shack and by one! I bought mine there for short money, you can not test automotive systems without one. I have two, one analog(needle) and one digital, either will work for this.
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-1
Friday, July 30th, 2010 AT 7:06 AM

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