That's a great writeup. I took mine apart using your instructions and found it completely distroyed inside. I tried to find a new one, but everyone wanted more than $100. Are there any other later model cars that use a similar switch?
------------------ ____________________________________________ "Of all the things I have lost during my lifetime, I miss my mind the most."
What a wonderful, well thought out piece of writing. Thank you so much. I know this took quite a while and you should be rewarded for your effort. Big + from me. Thanks and good luck......peace.
Phil
------------------ I am always available to help those that need help. Since my back injury, I cannot work on many of the aspects of the cars, but I can offer the knowledge of my 27 years as a GM technician. Bring the questions on................!
It is great to have a 'ROCKET SCIENTIST' doing such a in depth analysis of the solenoid. I am in the process of a exhaust gasket replacement and broke one of the hard plastic tubes(while doing the water pump) and had no idea where the long rubber line coming off the end of the solenoid was attached to. The time and effort that went into this explanation is greatly appreciated. I have put of working on this car for 5 years. With the help of this site I may get it on the road in 05. KawKEN
good to here. i now list you as the one documented case where the temp sensor was causing the code 32.
as an update this evening. you can short the two wires for the vacuum sensor to each other and this will stop the code 32 if you have a non working solenoid.
i completely unpluged mine tonight. and used a jumper wire on the harness to do a test. and i didnt get the code.
remove the jumper wire with it unplugged and i got a check engine light after about 10 minutes on the highway.
One side benefit as well was, I was having a pinging issue along with the code 32. Now that I replaced the ECM temp sensor the pinging has reduced dramatically.
Well, I just got a Code 32 and 35 on my Formula yesterday and found this thread. GREAT WORK!!!!! Funny thing is, my car has been running GREAT lately. I'm assuming it's a vacuum leak since I've got both 32 and 35, and the extra air may be why it's running better - I don't know. Maybe my EGR was killing the performance?
Anyway, at least I know where to start looking. Thanks again for the great tech writeup and pics! This one is going into my Favorites.
I had a code 32 and found the diaphragm on the EGR valve was torn. Replaced EGR and still had a code. Along with the code 32 my manifolds were glowing red. I replaced the solenoid with a Delco unit and the problem went away. Now for my question: There was no hose going to the nipple that the incoming vaccum line plugs onto (the one that goes to the little tube on the firewall). I have heard that some people do remove this tube anyway. Does it really need to be there?
i have been driving an 85 GT for about a month now with the solenoid unplugged and a "jumper" wire completing the circuit for the vacuum sensor all the time.
i have not had a code 32.
if i remove the wire i get a code after about 2 minutes on the highway.
Buddycraigg, you hit a bullseye on this! I absolutely glad for this article. Read this you backyard know it alls! The man did an excellent service for our cause, I take my hat offf dude!!! P.S. I'm printin this our for my records.
I routinely take my VOM to the junk yard when I go along with a couple of jumper wires and a hand held vacuum pump. There were a lot of GM cars made in the late 80s which used the same equipment packaged differently to control EGR. I am currentyly running an EGR control made up of such pars on my 86 and it works just fine. I usually pay about $10 at the PickAPart yards for each assembly and now have several spares.
Great write up! I just finished swapping a 3.4 into my 87 GT. It's running great but was showing an intermittent code 32 so I swapped my solenoid with a brand new one out of my 85. Then I get an intermittent code 14 (high coolant temp), even though my temp gauge says my temp is fine. I clean the connectors on the coolant sensor and then I get another code 32 with the new solenoid? This may be a second case of getting code 32 when it's the coolant sensor.
I get how most of the system works. I have been reading because I have a code 32 myself and need to get it fixed. Tried a different solenoid that I had, but that didn't work. I guess it could be bad too, or it's something else causing the problem. One thing I don't get, is how does a bad coolant temp sensor cause a code 32?
BTW, nice write up.
------------------ FORMERLY KNOWN AS: sqoach (so, uh...yeah....I'm not a noob) :p
I have another question. I just failed an emmissions test (NOX too high), and I have been getting an occasional code 32, so I assume there is a connection. Is that true? I need to get this car to pass emmissions, so I can get a GA plate on it before I get into trouble.
I've got a question. I know that to erase the codes stored in the computer, you have to disconnect the battery and wait etc, but what about for the check engine light coming on? If the code is stored, will the light come on when the problem would happen, regardless of if it still is happening, or is it only when the problem actually occurs?
The check engine light comes on when the problem is actually occuring. The ECM stores a code based on how it's programmed to react to different kinds of errors. Codes don't go away upon resolution of the problem that caused them to be set in the first place, though they will go away over time, a long time, if the problem doesn't reoccur. I don't know the exact algorithm the ECM uses to self-clear codes.
I get how most of the system works. I have been reading because I have a code 32 myself and need to get it fixed. Tried a different solenoid that I had, but that didn't work. I guess it could be bad too, or it's something else causing the problem. One thing I don't get, is how does a bad coolant temp sensor cause a code 32?
BTW, nice write up.
From the 1988 Fiero Service Manual CODE 32 EXHAUSE GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) CIRCUIT 2.8L "P" SERIES (PORT) The duty cycle is calculated by ECM based on information from the coolant sensor, MAP sensor, and engine RPM. Code 32 means that the EGR diagnostic switch was not detected closed under the following conditions: Coolant temperature greater then specified amount. EGR duty cycle commanded by the ECM is greater then 50% Manifold pressure less then 25kPa. ( 7" vacuum.
All conditions above must be met for about 8 seconds.
Hope this helps explain the ECM Temp Sensor role.
------------------ Red 1988 GT 5 speed Poly all around, Koni's & Lowered
