Code 33 & code 53 and other error mysteries

[Mart]

Helllo All,

This is my first post here so forgive me.

I picked up a 86 a few months ago and have spent the time since cleaning my new baby, it was stored and driven in a very dusty dirty area, but it was very well maintained.

Anyway as I have been cleaning it I get the odd error code, it started with a code 53 (fuel pump basically) it tuned out to be a couple of bare wires touching every now and then on the fuel pump relay connection, fixxed that it went away.

Well the other day I was replacing the alternator, so I pulled the battery out to give it a full charge, and thought while I was inthat area I would steam clean and give it a good wipe. well damn if the next day as I pull into my garage the car stalls dead, I tried it again with gas and she dies, I got my code reader out and voila, code 33, hmmm I remember reading about code 33-34 in CF article. So as I was taking the intake tube off to lok at the MAF it was on and red hot (OUCH &#$@).

I decided to check in the battery area I was cleaning and the wires sparked on the relay they were bare, but it went off. Repapired the wires and woohoo good to go again.

Just a note for those with mystery codes ( check for bare wires at the relay connections)

Hope this helps someone.

Mart

 

[Rob]

Mart,

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center and there's nothing to forgive.

Excellent information! However, the one thing you may want to keep in mind is that steam cleaning an engine isn't always a good thing to do.

Personally, I've never been a big fan of steam cleaning an engine simply because if you do happen to have exposed wires, or something isn't sealed as well as it should be, you stand the chance of causing problems down the road.

An alternative suggestion would be to use something like Simple Green. Spray it on a rag and wipe down the dirty parts of the engine by hand.

Just be careful using Simple Green however, because it can damage some of the painted parts on an engine if it's left on. A perfect example of this is the ZR-1's LT5 engine which is painted with an aluminum oxide paint. It's so prone to staining that it will discolor if you look at it funny!

Thanks again for sharing your experiences with us.

 

[RedRagTop]

Hey Mart, Fellow Canuckian, welcome to

 

[Mart]

Thanks guys

I guess I should be more clear, I was only using steam on the firewall, frame, and parts like that, not on the electrical or engine.

Thanks
Mart

And cheers to fellow Ontarian RJSRocket, Thanks.

 

[RedRagTop]

Mart; You have mail...