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undercoverz-28
03-30-2011, 10:16 PM
Car: 1996 LT1 camaro

Background: The car was having an intermittant drivability issue a while back. i took a stab and replaced the MAF. it fixed it....for about 8 months. i put in another one and it worked for like 1 month. replaced it again but did nothing. finally pulled the codes to be sure. P0100 MAF malfunction. Did some research and found that shorts are a problem. Sine the issue was intermittant this made sence. We cut the clip on the MAF about 6 inches down the harness and put in a new one.

Where it begins: It drove over to Discount just fine. i pulled the codes, it was still there so i decided to clear it to see if it would throw again. The car hasnt started since. it cranks but dies immediatly. the battery is now dead from trying to start it. when AAA got there, tried the jump box but nothing. I've cleared codes from that exact same discount before with no problem.

Has anyone ever had anything like this happen to them or know of someone? if so what was done? I've asked a few techs and car people about this and none of them have any idea. most people are telling me theres no way a "code tool" from discount could wipeout the settings in the ECU or fry it but some are saying its possible or they've heard it happening but not to them or someone they actually knew.

Chris
03-30-2011, 10:22 PM
I think the cable got knocked or something while plugged into the computer and toasted the computer

wysemunky
03-31-2011, 02:40 AM
I say try a known working computer and see if it fires up.

QC97Z
03-31-2011, 12:53 PM
^ This. Try swapping PCM's.
When I got my build done, I was throwing knock sensor codes. Checked voltage at the knock sensor harness...nothing. Checked all the way up to the PCM pin...Nothing. The PCM circuit went bad internally for the knock sensor.
Got a new PCM, flashed my tune on it, good as new!

Joker Z28
03-31-2011, 09:36 PM
A way to check the PCM, is if you turn the car on (just power, without actually trying to crank it) the fans would come on.
If fans come on, pcm is dead

The Engineer
04-01-2011, 11:55 AM
On the first issue with the MAF problems. If you're running a K&N type air cleaner and have the filter element "overly-oiled," oil from the element can collect on the MAF sensor and cause MAF code problems. However, it is only a matter cleaning the MAF sensor if oil is the problem, not replacing it.

As I recall, if the connection to the MAF is unplugged on an LT engine, it will not start, or run.

Warren

95formula383lt1
04-01-2011, 12:25 PM
mine starts an runs without a MAF so does a few other lt1s local. sometimes it with choke out when it first starts then restart it an it runs fine, or sometimes it will just start and be fine. But yeah try a diff pcm.

undercoverz-28
04-01-2011, 05:45 PM
the car started today and runs perfect, like nothing happened. things i did between then and today in the order i did them:

- charged the battery at parts store
- put my pcm in my friends car. it started his just fine and ran fine
- checked spark plug #1 to see if it was fouled
- put pcm back in
- put battery back in
- cranked the car 2 times and it started on the third time

only thing i can think is the pcm needed to be reset by completely disconnecting the battery. i wonder though if my friends car could have done something to the settings in my pcm to allow it to run my car? shrug.
thanks for all the help and advice.

1995z28
04-01-2011, 07:23 PM
Try to look at your wiring to check for bad grounds or wires shorted together. it sounds like electrical problem..