Thread: emergency help needed. Stuck. Car is surging and stalling

I have read through a couple posts but I need to know how to check codes.

My car when I came out of work started up, reved and died. Then I started again, sooty black smoke billowing out, had to practically floor it to keep it going and then it died again. Wont start.

Need help as I am stuck. I have the service engine soon light on. So I am figuring that I have some codes to check but I dont know how to check them.

HELP!!!!

Originally Posted by hunter_alexander

I have read through a couple posts but I need to know how to check codes.

You need to connect a scanner to it.

Oh and it is a 98GTP

I cleaned the thing on this thread

http://www.grandprixforums.net/f18/r...ling-3552.html

Ok, where do I get a scanner. Does autozone have one that they can test with?

Thanks

Craig

Originally Posted by hunter_alexander

Ok, where do I get a scanner. Does autozone have one that they can test with?

Yes, they'll do it for free. Get the actual code from them (ignore the BS they tell you about what is wrong) and bring us the code.

P0102 is the code.

THing will barely stay running.


I have alread cleaned the aic or whatever it is. This says that the vaf maf sensor is dirty.

Where is it and how do I clean it?

THanks for all the help.

Greatly appreciated

Craig

P0102 - Mass Air Flow circuit low input

Could be that it's dirty. Could also be that it's bad. The MAF is in the throttle body, with four (I think) security torx screws. If you have the right bit it's easy to get out. Clean it with throttle body cleaner that says on the bottle is safe for MAFs and a q-tip.

whats it look like? I will look for 4 security torx screws. I dont have throttle body cleaner. What else can I use?

Thanks again

Originally Posted by hunter_alexander

whats it look like? I will look for 4 security torx screws.

It's on the top of the throttle body.

Originally Posted by hunter_alexander

I dont have throttle body cleaner. What else can I use?

Throttle body cleaner, and throttle body cleaner. The MAF is very delicate. Be careful taking it out. And I wouldn't use any chemical on it that isn't specifically designed to clean it.

You know, as a test, try unplugging it and starting your car.

Ok, on the tb, there is a nipple with a hose on it, and that hose is two different sizes, in that it is about 1/2"od, and narrows down to 1/4"od. This connects to another hose that goes over the supercharger.

That hose is cracked, and when I touched it, it fell apart.

So I think that is one problem. The other being that maf sensor.

Anyplace like autozone stock that stupid rubber hose?

Does a regular 3800 have that hose or is it only on the supercharged?

Thanks

Craig

Originally Posted by archemedes

do you by chance have an oiled air filter?

Yes, K&N. It came with the car when I bought it off the original owner.

Is that a bad thing? Being that you asked, I am figuring that the oil from the filter gets on these sensors and then they either go bad or collect dirt because of the oil. Thereby not functioning correctly and throwing codes.

Am I close?

Well if that is the case, then I am probably going to just go back to a paper filter.

Any thoughts the special hose a few posts ago? I am hoping that Autozone has it, or GM stocks it and not a specialty order part.

Be nice if I could get it off any 3800 engine as there arent any SC 3800's in any junkyards around me. I scour them all the time.

Originally Posted by hunter_alexander

Be nice if I could get it off any 3800 engine as there arent any SC 3800's in any junkyards around me. I scour them all the time.

I don't know if it's exactly the same, but the N/A 3800 has a nearly identical vacuum line as you describe.

Yeah, I am going to check at the dealership today.

Thanks for the help guys. I greatly appreciate it.

Let you all know what I find out about the MAF.

Just wanted to update. Cars fixed.

I replaced the MAF as cleaning it didnt work. All fixed now.

Thanks again.