1989 Chevy Celebrity idles too high/sputters

JENNY222

MEMBER
1989 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
89,000 MILES

Hi, I have been trying to fix my 89' Chevy Celebrity Wagon for a couple months now. I really dont know too much about cars but I dont have any money to give to a mechanic, so I was wondering if you could give me some advice. When it first broke down it started to sputter like it was out of gas (which it wasn't) and it would not start again. After towing it home I tested the fuel pressure, and it was low, so I thought we had a definate fuel delivery problem. I changed the fuel pump, and the pressure went back to normal but the car still wouldn't drive. (I did get it about a quarter mile down the road before it broke down again, but it was still sputtering) It now has a new throttle body positioning sensor, idle air control valve and fuel pump and it is running but it wont go over 35 mph, and it sputters/idles to high. I had a mechanic come out and hook it up to a scanner and he said that he couldn't get into the ECM to see if it was working or not. The same day I had bought a fuel pump relay and an oil pressure switch but he said that it couldn't be either of those causing the problem. I did remove the ECM and play with the wires/ hooked it back up again but to no avail. The pins all look good, and I called GM to make sure it is the correct ECM for that car, and it is. I really don't know what else to try. The mechanic that came out said he thought only three of the injectors were firing, I guess he cut a wire or a set of wires or something (to reset the injectors?) And then taped it back up. Doesn't sound like a great idea to me but he said all 6 were firing after. I really dont have any more money to put into this car but I cant sell it and I need something to get to work in (so I can fix it. Lol) so I was wondering if I should really try the ECM?

Thursday, September 11th, 2008 AT 9:20 PM

3 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

Look for any vacuum leaks. Disconnect the vacuum line (plug the line temporarily) to the EGR. If that fixes the problem there is a problem with the EGR valve or control solenoid. Make sure the EGR is not stuck open, by moving the EGR diaphram by hand, it should move freely.
The injectors are batch fire, they fire in batches of three (1-3-5.2-4-6), so if one is not firing neither are the other two, unless the wiring to the injector is bad.

Short A and B terminals of the ALDL and check timing. With the terminals shorted, the engine RPM should be low (5-600 rpm).

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Thursday, October 16th, 2008 AT 8:30 AM

SCRAYZEE AUTO

MEMBER
1 POST

Check the EGR, I just had that problem on my 1989 celebrity

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Saturday, June 30th, 2012 AT 5:33 AM

TOPOORFORREALMECH

MEMBER
1 POST

My 1988 Celeberity had the same problem. The car would start and run fine. When th car is warmed up it would not start.
I had fuel preessure and spark when the car wouldn't start.
The problem is the fuel injectors are batch fire meaning 1, 3, 5 injectors inject fuel and then 2, 4, 6. When one injector shorts out you lose the other 2 becaus there on the same circuit.
Mmprince4000 said this already buti couldn't figure out how to quote him.
I unpluged the wire from the injector on the front right ( you can only get to the front right and back left injector easly) and the car started up while hot and runs fine with a slight misfire because cylinder 6 isnt getting fuel.
I got lucky getting the problem injector on the first try if you have the same problem it could be any of the 6 injectors causing the problem.
If you have to pay someone to do the work you should replace all 6 injectors. Me im just gonna replace the bad one.

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Sunday, June 30th, 2013 AT 8:37 AM