QuestionQUESTION: "I, I have a 1996 cirrus 2.6l. yesterday morning i started my car, when i ran on the road suddenly the motor miss tork, i parked the car and the motor had a irregular and low idle. I push my car back to my home the motor had no power enough to run the car. this morning i tried to start the car, i cranked for 15 to 20 secs before it start but with the same problem. low,irregular idle,no power.so i can't move the car.I tried the trick with the ignition and i got code 12-33-21-61-55 Thanks for your help (sorry for my English)"
ANSWER: Hi Martin,
It appears to me that you have an issue related to an improper fuel/air mixture ratio. The 61 code says that the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor is exhibiting a grossly abnormal output voltage. That would cause a wrong mixture. The other code that relates to mixture is the 21 which says that the heated oxygen sensor, which is located on the exhaust manifold, is not producing a valid reading That could well be the result of the MAP failure, so I would buy and replace the MAP sensor located on the intake manifold, then erase the codes by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes, and then drive for a while and then see what codes if any return. But begin with the MAP sensor.
It is straight forward and something you can do yourself.
As for the other codes--
The 12 code is routine: it means that sometime in the recent past the battery was disconnected.
The 33 code is about the A/C compressor clutch circuit not functioning, which would have nothing to do with your loss of power.
The 55 means simply "end of readout" so that is why it is always the last number.
I believe that simply replacing the MAP sensor will fix the problem, but look carefully at its associated wires to be sure the insulation has not been damaged.
Roland
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QUESTION: bad news for me, now the car won't start anymore but I'm sure the sensor was bad anyway. now the problem is, i crank and it start once and it die immediately i crank it again for 10 to 25 seconds it almost starting or when it about to start i pump the gas pedal the motor keep going for 3 or 4 seconds and it die again. i can hear the fuel pump running i hope you undestand what i'm trying to explain. thank again
ANSWER: Hi Martin,
I assume that you replaced MAP sensor. I would disconnect the battery - post clamp for a few minutes, then reconnect it. That will erase the fault codes that were in the memory. Check the fault codes to be sure that only code 12 is present. Then try and start the car a few times and see what new fault codes might be showing.
The other thing to check is the egr valve which is located at the rear corner of the engine just underneath the thermostat housing. It is bolted into a pipe that runs from the front exhaust manifold over to the intake throttle body area. It has a round top attached to the body of the valve with a flange inbetween those two parts. Inside the flange area you should see a rod which is the valve stem, ant it has circumferential slot in it. Try to move the valve stem by inserting the tip of a screwdriver into the slot to lever the rod back and forth, against spring-action that tries to close the valve tight. Make sure it is closing all the way and moving freely. If not, the spray WD-40 or other spray solvent on the stem where it enters the valve body.
Then try and start it.
Let me know if you find some codes.
Roland
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QUESTION: hi roland, sorry to take a long time before anwrer, the reason is i live in quebec, and the last 3 days was -25c (-13 fahrenheit) so i was unable to start the car propelly.
i put the battery on charge because i cranked the starter so long the batterie is dead.i think the car is really dead, i check the EGR valve with a srcewdriver and the small plate move about 1/8" but was dirt with oil a bit.
so now what do you think, do i give up or a can try something else. i can't read code because the car don't run enought to create some i crank the starter it like there no gas in it, i can hear the fuel pump running.
thank for everything, Martin
AnswerHi Martin,
Did you replace the MAP sensor?
Also, even just after doing the cranking, without successfully getting it started, re-read the fault codes.
Is the battery good enough to crank the engine at the normal speed? Your battery may just be worn out.
Is the EGR valve fully closed in the direction the spring is moving it?
Roland
