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Help With SES Light (Code P0121)

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Old 11-29-2003, 06:11 PM
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Exclamation Help With SES Light (Code P0121)

I had my 99Z28/M6 Autotaped because my SES light came on.

The code was P0121.

It seems to happen when I turn on the Air conditioner at idle the RPM'S drop to 625-650 then it works it self back to 1025-1045 (Desired range)

A friend of mine said to Open the Idle adjutment screw. Your IAC running Warm at about 35-40.

Any help you can gve me would be greatly appreciated

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28
Old 12-01-2003, 06:17 AM
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Originally Posted by StoreKeeper99Z28
I had my 99Z28/M6 Autotaped because my SES light came on.

The code was P0121.

It seems to happen when I turn on the Air conditioner at idle the RPM'S drop to 625-650 then it works it self back to 1025-1045 (Desired range)

A friend of mine said to Open the Idle adjutment screw. Your IAC running Warm at about 35-40.

Any help you can gve me would be greatly appreciated

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28
^^^^^^
Old 12-01-2003, 08:59 PM
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I'll give ya this one;

The TPS & the A/C low pressure transducer(cycle switch) share the same 5 volt referance from the PCM.
The transducer intermittantly shorts out & pulls the 5V referance close to 0 volt.
The result is a strange running problem & a P0121 TPS low volt.
We started seein these 6-7 years ago & the first one was a b!atch to figure out.
Now it's trivial.
Old 12-01-2003, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by wrencher
I'll give ya this one;

The TPS & the A/C low pressure transducer(cycle switch) share the same 5 volt referance from the PCM.
The transducer intermittantly shorts out & pulls the 5V referance close to 0 volt.
The result is a strange running problem & a P0121 TPS low volt.
We started seein these 6-7 years ago & the first one was a b!atch to figure out.
Now it's trivial.
____________________________________
Thank you for the reply!

Is this problem fixable?

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28
Old 12-02-2003, 09:25 AM
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TTT for you Bruce !

Is the A/C low pressure transducer(cycle switch) replaceable ? What's the scoop ? Hand tools ? I'll check it out on the schematic when I get home tonight but any info would be helpful.

I had the same issue with the TCS light coming on and the TPS code, but after replacing the TPS it hasn't happened again... I do still get the TCS off issue with the A/C on at idle though and I'm betting this is what it is ! It's (hopefully)all starting to make sense !

Thanks !
Bad30th


Originally Posted by StoreKeeper99Z28
____________________________________
Thank you for the reply!

Is this problem fixable?

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28
Old 12-02-2003, 09:06 PM
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The cycle switch is replaceable.
It is just threaded in, just undo old & rethread new.
There is a schrader valve so it wont blow up on you.
Old 12-03-2003, 03:27 PM
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Thanks SO much for this info !

P/N# 22664328 A/C Low Pressure Transducer/Cycle Switch (for '99 LS1)

GM Parts Counter has them for $43.84 plus tax. I'll be picking one up on the way home.

Thanks again, I'll post up if this does the trick.

BTW, I've noticed this problem to be most common among folks who have swapped cams, which normally requires the A/C system to be discharged for some amount of time (mine was discharged ~6 weeks because of an engine swap). Is it possible the time spent with the A/C system discharged could have something to do with the sensor going bad ?

Bad30th

Last edited by Bad30th; 12-03-2003 at 04:14 PM.
Old 12-03-2003, 10:49 PM
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Imagine that ! Had it in stock ,wonder why???
I think you'll be happy.
Old 12-05-2003, 10:44 AM
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i just had my a/c stuff removed from the engine bay. (compressor etc). and now i have the P0121 code. is it something i have to worry about even with the a/c stuff gone?

thanks
Old 12-05-2003, 02:48 PM
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Lagging a bit here, just got the sensor today at lunch... Will install this weekend and see if it fixes the TCS light problem at idle when the A/C is on.

Thanks !
Bad30th
Old 12-05-2003, 04:27 PM
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since i had the a/c compressor took off since i wont be using it, should i just turn this code off?
Old 12-07-2003, 07:00 PM
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Update for today :

- installed the new A/C sensor
- started from cold and let idle for 5 min
- turned on A/C for 10 min
- no TCS light !

Bruce we should do this for you too, I laughed when I figured out which sensor this was - it's the little sensor by the pass side strut tower in the A/C line. 5 minutes and a 14mm wrench in the parking lot at your work should have you fixed. I'll call you Monday - go pick up P/N# 22664328 from a GM Parts counter and we'll slap it in - should solve the mystery for you too.



Also today :
- drained 1 gal coolant and replaced with 50%Dexcool/50% distilled water, cleaned stupid coolant sensor with alcohol and qtips - no more low coolant light on the dash !, new radiator cap
- changed oil to Mobil1 filter and (4xMobil1 10w30) and (2xMobil1 15w50), ticking is substantially reduced and we will see if oil consumption lessens - currently burning about 1qt every 1k miles

Bad30th

Last edited by Bad30th; 12-07-2003 at 08:44 PM.
Old 12-08-2003, 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Bad30th
Update for today :

- installed the new A/C sensor
- started from cold and let idle for 5 min
- turned on A/C for 10 min
- no TCS light !

Bruce we should do this for you too, I laughed when I figured out which sensor this was - it's the little sensor by the pass side strut tower in the A/C line. 5 minutes and a 14mm wrench in the parking lot at your work should have you fixed. I'll call you Monday - go pick up P/N# 22664328 from a GM Parts counter and we'll slap it in - should solve the mystery for you too.



Also today :
- drained 1 gal coolant and replaced with 50%Dexcool/50% distilled water, cleaned stupid coolant sensor with alcohol and qtips - no more low coolant light on the dash !, new radiator cap
- changed oil to Mobil1 filter and (4xMobil1 10w30) and (2xMobil1 15w50), ticking is substantially reduced and we will see if oil consumption lessens - currently burning about 1qt every 1k miles

Bad30th
____________________________________

Rob;

That great!

Please call me this morning at work and we will talk.

Rx Bruce
Old 12-10-2003, 11:59 AM
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ARGH, bad news.

Out of curiosity I fired the AC up again today with the car warm idling in Park - TCS light came on on the dash. When the problem is happening the trans shifts harder and the car feels down on power (limp mode ?). Pressing TCS switch won't enable/disable TCS - light stays on on the dash.

As soon as I drive with the AC off for a little while the TCS light on the dash turns off and all is back to normal.

Dang, I was hoping that sensor was the answer...

Anyone have any other ideas ?

Bad30th
Old 12-10-2003, 08:53 PM
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I gave the info to fix keepers car, not your tcs light.
Dont highjack threads! j/k
No but seriously your problem sounds a little more involved & alot less common.
Need a scan tool to see what TCS & ABS codes are in there to even begin to determain what is up with your car.
Then maybe you can find something in common with the proposed TCS problem & the A/C running.
Old 12-11-2003, 09:50 AM
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Hehe, sorry - seemed like it was possibly the same problem since I had the throttle sensor issue at one point. We definately appreciate the help.

No codes are present according to AutoTap on my car when the TCS disables - but we will focus on Bruce's car here.

We're swapping the AC sensor on Bruce's car tomorrow AM (Friday).

BTW, Bruce does also have the same problem with his traction control disabling itself.

Thanks !
Rob (Bad30th)





Originally Posted by wrencher
I gave the info to fix keepers car, not your tcs light.
Dont highjack threads! j/k
No but seriously your problem sounds a little more involved & alot less common.
Need a scan tool to see what TCS & ABS codes are in there to even begin to determain what is up with your car.
Then maybe you can find something in common with the proposed TCS problem & the A/C running.
Old 12-11-2003, 05:08 PM
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Yep Rob is right have have the same problem with my 99Z28 /M6.

The ASR goes off when I get on the freeway and get at a constant speed my ASR goes off..

When I exit the freeway and drive side streets the ASR comes back on?

Gotta love these computer controlled cars!

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28
Old 12-11-2003, 08:01 PM
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You need to retrieve the ASR & ABS codes to begin to determine what the problem is.
The Tech -II can do this & a few other aftermarket scanners.
These are not PCM generated codes.
But these control units share alot of the same input sensors.
Old 12-25-2003, 06:28 AM
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Originally Posted by StoreKeeper99Z28
I had my 99Z28/M6 Autotaped because my SES light came on.

The code was P0121.

It seems to happen when I turn on the Air conditioner at idle the RPM'S drop to 625-650 then it works it self back to 1025-1045 (Desired range)

A friend of mine said to Open the Idle adjutment screw. Your IAC running Warm at about 35-40.

Any help you can gve me would be greatly appreciated

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28
__________________________________________________ _______
Do you think because the size of the cam (233/233/578/578/113 lsa) that at idle the vacuum is low and it send that message to the Throttle Body Sensor that in turn I get the P0121 code?

Rx Bruce/StoreKeeper99Z28

Last edited by StoreKeeper99Z28; 12-25-2003 at 06:47 AM.
Old 09-25-2018, 08:39 PM
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Giving thanks for this thread..... got the code and the asr light. Found this thread and realized I put some ac sealant in a few days before. Pulled the sensor and brown sealant shows itself. Cleaned it out and pushed Schrader to make sure pressure is there. Freon with no sealant blows out. Reattach sensor and test..... No more light!!!!

Thanks again


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