LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Help with 94 camaro!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 12, 2012 | 09:13 PM
  #1  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default Help with 94 camaro!

My car recently started running really rough. When im stopped at a stop sign the car barely wants to run, let alone idle! When you start moving, the car stutters until about 1500 rpms. So we went to orielly and the tester basically said that it was not picking up any signal from the computer? Also my service engine light is on along with 2 others provided in the pic below.

Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 09:55 AM
  #2  
nomoneyz's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley - So Cal
Default

Well if your check engine light is on then you need to get it scanned and tell us the codes. Also, more details on the car. What, if any, mods have been done to it and has a recent tune up been done? What tester are you talking about, and what is not communicating with the pcm? We do not know what "it" is.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 03:49 PM
  #3  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

We went to oreilly and the one he used was obd1 and obd2 compatible, all he told me was that it wouldnt read the pcm Also the guy told us that this happens all the time. so im trying to diagnose the problem myself. The car has a k&n cai and 3" exhaust from the headers back to the cheap edlebrock muffler, its not duals it is still just a Y pipe. We think it could be the o2 sensors or the MAF. :p
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:08 PM
  #4  
nomoneyz's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 1
From: Apple Valley - So Cal
Default

You need to figure out why the scanner won't communicate with your car. Check your fuses and replace any that are no good. I forget exactly which fuse powers the obd port. What led to the assumption that it could be the maf or the o2's? Not saying it couldn't be, but you should make sure before you start throwing money at it.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:16 PM
  #5  
BOOSTED AFR's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Midwest City, Ok
Unhappy

Usually the cigarette lighter or accessory fuse are what power the DLC
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:34 PM
  #6  
Uwilllosetomy93lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee, Florida
Default

Is that your low coolant light on? Your on Limp mode I suspect. Use correct scanner first, using the wrong scanner wont read codes on your camaro....
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:36 PM
  #7  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

actually i read a post on here and a guy had the exact same problem, people said to unplug the maf sensor, and if that fixes it thats the problem, same with the o2 sensors. we went to drive the car today and i unplugged the maf and the car ran perfect, still had all the power it had before. we got home and i plugged it back in and started the car and it idled up then died, and only would idle at about 500 rpms (according to stock tach) so know i guess i will check all the fuses though just to be sure and maybe take the car back to oreilly tommorrow. so if that means my maf is bad what would you suggest i do about the issue, i wouldnt think leaving it unlugged would be a good idea :p
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:43 PM
  #8  
Uwilllosetomy93lt1's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Kissimmee, Florida
Default

SD mode.... glad you figured it out! Good luck
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 05:44 PM
  #9  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

Yeah I'm assuming that is the low coolant light, I read thats a common issue though
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 06:38 PM
  #10  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

What's SD mode? And also I checked all the fuses and they seem fine!
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 06:43 PM
  #11  
BOOSTED AFR's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Midwest City, Ok
Default

SD means Speed Density. It is a method the PCM uses of determining the proper amount of fuel to give the engine during the absence of a MAF.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 08:13 PM
  #12  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

so i am assuming that by replacing the maf i would most likely get better gas mileage considering it would use the correct amount of gas
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 08:15 PM
  #13  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

also can anyone point me in the direction of the right scanner? is there any one that i can also use to tune the car?
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2012 | 08:27 PM
  #14  
BOOSTED AFR's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Midwest City, Ok
Default

There are solutions that wil scan and tune but the OBDI guys will have to chime in for you. I only play with 96+ OBDII hardware and double pumpers!

And yes, replacing or cleaning the MAF with the correct sensor safe cleaner could possibly/likely help your car a great deal.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2012 | 09:50 AM
  #15  
SS RRR's Avatar
Village Troll
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,111
Likes: 598
From: Jackstandican
Default

Originally Posted by liltoxic97
We went to oreilly and the one he used was obd1 and obd2 compatible, all he told me was that it wouldnt read the pcm Also the guy told us that this happens all the time.
More than likely the reason why it happens all the time is because his tester is OBDII only or the wrong cable is being used and it will show a no communication error if trying to read an OBDI PCM.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2012 | 10:18 AM
  #16  
BOOSTED AFR's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Midwest City, Ok
Default

Originally Posted by SS RRR
More than likely the reason why it happens all the time is because his tester is OBDII only or the wrong cable is being used and it will show a no communication error if trying to read an OBDI PCM.
+1 , most parts store employees don't have a clue what OBDI or OBDII is they just know if the scanner plugs in it should work. SURPRISE! 94-95 LT1s really screw that up. An OBDII connector running OBDI protocol? Come on GM, you're confusing the idiots!
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2012 | 10:19 AM
  #17  
BOOSTED AFR's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Midwest City, Ok
Default

Originally Posted by BOOSTED AFR
Usually the cigarette lighter or accessory fuse are what power the DLC
Wow! I can't believe I suggested to check the cigarette lighter fuse in my earlier post! How did I miss that it was a 94! There is no power present!
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2012 | 10:25 AM
  #18  
ZFreie's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 543
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Default

Don't to be an idiot to not know its obd1 with obd2 port. Family member whos been a mechanic their whole life never worked on GM cars much, so, when I told them it was obd1 we had to go get his obd2 scanner cause he didn't believe me.

His words "well thats ******* stupid"

OP, You can get ALDL cable and scan it your self using free scanning software via your PC or laptop. If you plan on keeping the car its a good investment as it makes trouble shooting much easier because you can see whats going on with sensors.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2012 | 10:32 AM
  #19  
BOOSTED AFR's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Midwest City, Ok
Default

Originally Posted by ZFreie
His words "well thats ******* stupid"
Agreed.

I find it easiest to avoid mistakes by following a crappy rule of thumb that says "1995 and older is OBDI, 1996 and newer is OBDII" it seems too simple but rarely steers you wrong. But then there's those people who convert one way or the other...
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2012 | 03:04 PM
  #20  
liltoxic97's Avatar
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by ZFreie
Don't to be an idiot to not know its obd1 with obd2 port. Family member whos been a mechanic their whole life never worked on GM cars much, so, when I told them it was obd1 we had to go get his obd2 scanner cause he didn't believe me.

His words "well thats ******* stupid"

OP, You can get ALDL cable and scan it your self using free scanning software via your PC or laptop. If you plan on keeping the car its a good investment as it makes trouble shooting much easier because you can see whats going on with sensors.

could you steer me in the direction of the correct aldl cable? and thanks everyone youve been alot of help!
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:53 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE