Codes 33, 34, 44, the engine idles smooth but sputters and shuts off, it shuts off faster when pushing on gas?

Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 PONTIAC 6000
  • 2.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Hello, I own the car listed above. It ran very well for 7 months but I finally hit a road block. The car starts only when removing fuel from the fuel rail. It has 45 PSI for the fuel pressure, and it has 3 check engine codes 33, 34, 44 I have changed the MAP and idle sensor the intake manifold gaskets and fuel filter. It starts well and idles perfectly but the lights go dim and it eventually shuts off and won’t start again until the next day.
Thursday, July 20th, 2023 AT 3:02 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Code 33: MAP Sensor Circuit Signal High
Code 34: MAP Sensor Circuit Signal Low
Code 44: Lean Exhaust
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 22nd, 2023 AT 10:59 AM
Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I replaced the fuel pressure regulator. It definitely did make a difference that being said; I no longer believe it to be a fuel issue given this new piece of information I have received. I unplugged the alternator’s connector and boom car starts every single time and idles, but it’s like it’s in a limp mode of some sort. You push the gas completely down it dies. But if you slowly add gas, it stays on and runs, but now it’s starting every time and doesn’t stall unless I go pedal to the metal. What could that be? Ecu, crankshaft sensor, or maybe even some other control module? I’ve replaced everything ignition wise, spark plugs, crankshaft sensor, ignition control module, the coils, pretty much everything and it drove for 7 months before I had another issue and now it doesn’t start and stay on unless I unplug the alternator. If the alternator is plugged in it starts and 3 seconds later it shuts off sometimes making a popping noise from my air cleaner. Very unique issue now though.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 AT 12:55 AM
Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Also, if you start the car and plug the alternator in while the car is on it starts having breathing issues it seems like. Then it just shuts off completely and goes back to not starting until alternator is unplugged again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 AT 12:57 AM
Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Also if you start the car and plug the alternator in while the car is on it starts having breathing issues it seems like. Then it just die’s completely and goes back to not starting til alternator is unplugged again.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 AT 12:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It sounds like the alternator is bad, I would replace it. Please let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 AT 7:02 PM
Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The alternator in the car is new though.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 25th, 2023 AT 7:54 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Did this problem happen with the old alternator? You might have a defective unit.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 27th, 2023 AT 1:18 PM
Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1989 PONTIAC 6000
  • 2.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
I’ve replaced the alternator on this car twice and hasn’t fixed any of my issues with starting it. I unplugged the alternator and tried starting the car and it ran (very poorly) it idled smooth but shut off when you push down on the gas all the way. It would stay on without stalling otherwise. Why won’t the car start with the alternator plugged in? I’ll attach two videos one with alternator plugged in (top) and one without (bottom).
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 27th, 2023 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZEROFORKSLEFT
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Shuts off immediately if that wire is plugged in.
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 27th, 2023 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
Try this and let us know what happens: Put a battery charger on the battery and let it charge fully, then start the engine and plug in the connector. From the description you say it will start and idle but poorly. The 2.8 was never a powerhouse and I think the issue might be that the battery is low enough that as soon as the alternator kick on and tries to charge the battery at a high output it is enough of a load that the engine stalls. Another version of the test would be to remove the drive belt from the alternator and see if it starts then with the alternator plugged in. If it does in either test then it's probably the load on the engine and getting the engine sorted out would probably repair it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 27th, 2023 AT 1:22 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.