Trouble Code 36. Any Suggestions

[buddyleejd]

I just popped a trouble code 36. The book I have says it may be either MAF-burn-off circuit problem, Transmission shift problem, Direct ignition system fault, or Ignition system fault. Now the book I have is very broad. It covers all GM's cars from 82-93. The car seems to be running OK. Just not sure what to look for. My instincs tell me MAF problem. The only thing I have done in the past few months is install a K&N air filter and open lid. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[vetteboy86]

From what you mention the MAF burnoff and power relays would be the easiest start. I think you can get both for under twenty bucks and it only took me about 45 minutes to do the job. I believe that is where I would start.


Good luck
Craig

 

[Baldie88]

Had the same Code 36 about a year ago. Replaced the MAF burnoff relay which is on the firewall behind the battery and it did the trick. No code since.

Good Luck.

Baldie88

 

[buddyleejd]

Thank you. I will definately replace the burn off and power relays. $20 is a lot cheaper than trying a new MAF. I'll let you know

 

[Midnite 88]

For what it's worth, when my MAF went bad, I could barely keep the thing running with it plugged in. When I unplugged it, the car would idle fine and run okay.

Coincidentally, my MAF went bad shortly after installing a K&N.

Mike.

 

[HPG]

My 88 did the same thing. Replaced the MAF and Power burn off relays and it worked fine.

Had the same Code 36 about a year ago. Replaced the MAF burnoff relay which is on the firewall behind the battery and it did the trick. No code since.

Good Luck.

Baldie88

 

[Vettefan87]

For what it's worth, when my MAF went bad, I could barely keep the thing running with it plugged in. When I unplugged it, the car would idle fine and run okay.

Coincidentally, my MAF went bad shortly after installing a K&N.

Mike.

I have been running a K&N since I put Ram Air on in the spring with no problems.

Justin

 

[kalmwill]

The KN filter may be the problem. If the filter is oiled too heavily some of that oil may be carried forward by the airflow to the MAF sensor. The coating on the MAF sensor may cause it to give faulty readings. My mechanic said that he has encountered a few cases where over-oiling has caused problems. He has been able to successfully clean some of them by gently spraying a cleaner (like brake cleaner) and then gently blowing the wires dry ( not a compressed air gun). Hope this helps
Bill

 

[Alfonso Gomez]

The KN filter may be the problem. If the filter is oiled too heavily some of that oil may be carried forward by the airflow to the MAF sensor. The coating on the MAF sensor may cause it to give faulty readings. My mechanic said that he has encountered a few cases where over-oiling has caused problems. He has been able to successfully clean some of them by gently spraying a cleaner (like brake cleaner) and then gently blowing the wires dry ( not a compressed air gun). Hope this helps
Bill

I had a code 36 some time ago. It is true about the different cause for it, even tranny problems. Both power & burn-off relays are the same, so I switched them. Still code 36. Took out the KN filter, cleaned it and oiled it slightly, left it off for a while so it would drain any excess oil. removed MAF sensor & cleaned it with throttle body cleaner. I held the spray can far enough from the MAF sensor to avoid damaging the filaments. Air-dried it after shaking the excess cleaner off. No problems ever since.

 

[RedRagTop]

The KN filter may be the problem. If the filter is oiled too heavily some of that oil may be carried forward by the airflow to the MAF sensor. The coating on the MAF sensor may cause it to give faulty readings. My mechanic said that he has encountered a few cases where over-oiling has caused problems. He has been able to successfully clean some of them by gently spraying a cleaner (like brake cleaner) and then gently blowing the wires dry ( not a compressed air gun). Hope this helps
Bill

Yep. This is it. Once you swap out the relays the wire will likely burn off the excess oil and there won't be problems unless you over-oil again. I went through it too, and found out that GM recommends changing the relays as a preventative maintenance item, but not frequently.

 

[hpbadger]

code 36

I am having the code 36. If I clean the K & N filter and MAF do I still have to change out the relays? I am puzzled what do the relays have to do with the over oiled filter and MAF wire oil coat buildup? Thanks!

 

[redc4corvette]

The factory manuels always recomend the relays be replaced when a code 36 is thrown.
I think this is another factory, throw parts at it because they don't know what is wrong.

 

[hpbadger]

The factory manuels always recomend the relays be replaced when a code 36 is thrown.
I think this is another factory, throw parts at it because they don't know what is wrong.

Thanks! I removed the relays yesterday and cleaned them. The trouble light went off for a while but came back on. I am going to replace the sensors tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[TheAnarkist]

My understanding of the K&N's is most people tend to 'overoil". Check out the Dodge truck diesel forums and you'll see what I mean. they have a BIG thing "against" using K&N's but in most cases overoiled the filters.(Got past the filter and fried the Turbo's bearings!!) Best rule of thuimb is "a little goes a long way".

These guys attack K&N itself but that's NOT really the problem. But from what I've seen you guys already figured it out. So I guess it's just my "useless" 2 cents. LOL.

 

[hpbadger]

My understanding of the K&N's is most people tend to 'overoil". Check out the Dodge truck diesel forums and you'll see what I mean. they have a BIG thing "against" using K&N's but in most cases overoiled the filters.(Got past the filter and fried the Turbo's bearings!!) Best rule of thuimb is "a little goes a long way".

These guys attack K&N itself but that's NOT really the problem. But from what I've seen you guys already figured it out. So I guess it's just my "useless" 2 cents. LOL.

Just puchased the car last week and I suspect the old owner over oiled the K&N filter but I have not inspected it yet. I will be cleaning it tomorrow and installing the new relays. Hope it works and it has nothing to do with Transmission Shift Fault.

 

[hpbadger]

Ok I swapped the relays and took out the K&N filter....it was dirty but I didn't see any oil residue anywhere in MAF or near it. I cleaned it and then re-oiled it. I took a lot of care not over oil it...hope I oiled it enough! I used the K&N spray oil. No more code 36 SES. Engine seemed to be idling a little rougher after relay switch but may be my imagination.