1993 v.d.p.
#1
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Hi everyone, I've only been a member for a few days, so please put me right, if I do wrong. She failed smog, so I had two (2) cats replaced. It barely passed the next time, the HC's were on the maximum allowable,at 15 mph the reading was 80. It will not pass the next time. Every couple of months, the 'check engine' light comes on but the only code I get from the VCM is '99', of which there is no mention in the hand book. I disconnect the battery and everything is OK for another couple of months. If during that time I press the VDM it reads 'FAIL' but no code. Can anybody offer me advice ?..... thanks....Roger.
#4
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Roger:
My gut feeling is that the display is playing tricks. Is it possible the VCM means to read "89" - for example - rather than "99"? It's just one little line off, and suggests the purge control valve circuit. ... possibly something to do with the charcoal canister? Did you check all that? I have no idea why "FAIL" should read without a corresponding code. How is it you get "99" and "FAIL"? Does if flash between the two? Honestly if it were me, I might take it down to the my mechanic to get all the codes read and some advice.
Keep noodling on it - I'm sure you'll get it figured out!
Cheers,
Scott
My gut feeling is that the display is playing tricks. Is it possible the VCM means to read "89" - for example - rather than "99"? It's just one little line off, and suggests the purge control valve circuit. ... possibly something to do with the charcoal canister? Did you check all that? I have no idea why "FAIL" should read without a corresponding code. How is it you get "99" and "FAIL"? Does if flash between the two? Honestly if it were me, I might take it down to the my mechanic to get all the codes read and some advice.
Keep noodling on it - I'm sure you'll get it figured out!
Cheers,
Scott
#5
#6
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Roger:
I'm totally stumped by your "99". Is there anybody else reading who might have an idea? Looking a little bit into Haynes, I notice that a fault somewhere in the Air Injector Reactor (AIR) system can cause an abundance of hydrocarbon content in the exhaust. This system is run by a pump that doesn't seem to fail all that much, but also by a relay and vacuum solenoid that certainly do - esp. on these aging cars! Interestingly, the book says that in the event of a problem, the VCM will read code "66". Now, perhaps I'm getting a bit conspiratorial... but 66 is 99 upside down! In any event, reading that paragraph made me think of the symptoms you described; and I hope it isn't a red herring.
I still do not understand a VCM code that just reads a number. If it's a fuel related fault, for example, the computer usually flashes "Fuel Fail 99", for example - not just a number. This suggests to me something that might not get sorted unless connected to a proper mechanic's code reader. (And let's be clear, I am NO proper mechanic!) Maybe that's just me looking for the easy way out.
Cheers!
Scott
I'm totally stumped by your "99". Is there anybody else reading who might have an idea? Looking a little bit into Haynes, I notice that a fault somewhere in the Air Injector Reactor (AIR) system can cause an abundance of hydrocarbon content in the exhaust. This system is run by a pump that doesn't seem to fail all that much, but also by a relay and vacuum solenoid that certainly do - esp. on these aging cars! Interestingly, the book says that in the event of a problem, the VCM will read code "66". Now, perhaps I'm getting a bit conspiratorial... but 66 is 99 upside down! In any event, reading that paragraph made me think of the symptoms you described; and I hope it isn't a red herring.
I still do not understand a VCM code that just reads a number. If it's a fuel related fault, for example, the computer usually flashes "Fuel Fail 99", for example - not just a number. This suggests to me something that might not get sorted unless connected to a proper mechanic's code reader. (And let's be clear, I am NO proper mechanic!) Maybe that's just me looking for the easy way out.
Cheers!
Scott
#7
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#8
#9
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Roger:
Oh, of course. That makes perfect sense. It reads 99 because it probably is getting 99 "MPG" at idle! The instant read fuel gage will go way up like that at idle and when you let off the gas. So, here's what you need to do...
When you have a CEL, turn off the car, pause, turn the ignition to position II - that is, the final position before starting the car. All the electrics come on. Pause. Press the VCM button. It SHOULD give you a fault and a number. That's the number we are after. The Haynes manual says (although I've never seen this myself) that an asterisk next to the code indicates multiple codes stored.
Report back!
Scott
Oh, of course. That makes perfect sense. It reads 99 because it probably is getting 99 "MPG" at idle! The instant read fuel gage will go way up like that at idle and when you let off the gas. So, here's what you need to do...
When you have a CEL, turn off the car, pause, turn the ignition to position II - that is, the final position before starting the car. All the electrics come on. Pause. Press the VCM button. It SHOULD give you a fault and a number. That's the number we are after. The Haynes manual says (although I've never seen this myself) that an asterisk next to the code indicates multiple codes stored.
Report back!
Scott
#11
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When you have a CEL, turn off the car, pause, turn the ignition to position II - that is, the final position before starting the car. All the electrics come on. Pause. Press the VCM button. It SHOULD give you a fault and a number. That's the number we are after. The Haynes manual says (although I've never seen this myself) that an asterisk next to the code indicates multiple codes stored.
Report back!
Scott
Can't help much with the EGR stuff, because I don't have it. (thank god).
#12
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#13
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Possible remedy.
I had a 99 as well on my 90. It was short lived though. It happened when I tried cranking my car when I had starting issues, when I first got the car and it had been sitting for at least 2 years without running. I replaced my crank sensor, battery and coil. Changed plugs and took out 20+ gallons of bad fuel.
Been almost 2 months now I have never seen the 99 again. Mine also read just plain "fail" with nothing else associated with it. Hope it helps.
I had a 99 as well on my 90. It was short lived though. It happened when I tried cranking my car when I had starting issues, when I first got the car and it had been sitting for at least 2 years without running. I replaced my crank sensor, battery and coil. Changed plugs and took out 20+ gallons of bad fuel.
Been almost 2 months now I have never seen the 99 again. Mine also read just plain "fail" with nothing else associated with it. Hope it helps.
#15
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Roger:
By no means off your rocker! Just trying to understand... which, I have to confess, I don't quite. Have you tried disconnecting the negative battery terminal a couple of minutes to "reset" the computer? This will erase the stored codes and give you a clean slate. Then, when the CEL presents itself again, go through the VCM process by shutting off the car, turn the key to pos. II, press and hold the button for a couple of seconds, and see what it says. Beyond that, and without any other explanation for what is happening here, I am inclined to think the VCM itself if flaky. Strange, though. I've never seen anybody else write up a complaint about that apart from mrtalkradio's similar experience - which seems to have righted itself! We seem to be spending our time battling the VCM, when we what we are really trying to do is resolve an emissions problem. If you have a good mechanic nearby, if it were me, I'd still take the car down and have him plug it in to see what the codes are. Then at least you can begin addressing those problems and get it past the smog tester.
Press on! Cheers, Scott
By no means off your rocker! Just trying to understand... which, I have to confess, I don't quite. Have you tried disconnecting the negative battery terminal a couple of minutes to "reset" the computer? This will erase the stored codes and give you a clean slate. Then, when the CEL presents itself again, go through the VCM process by shutting off the car, turn the key to pos. II, press and hold the button for a couple of seconds, and see what it says. Beyond that, and without any other explanation for what is happening here, I am inclined to think the VCM itself if flaky. Strange, though. I've never seen anybody else write up a complaint about that apart from mrtalkradio's similar experience - which seems to have righted itself! We seem to be spending our time battling the VCM, when we what we are really trying to do is resolve an emissions problem. If you have a good mechanic nearby, if it were me, I'd still take the car down and have him plug it in to see what the codes are. Then at least you can begin addressing those problems and get it past the smog tester.
Press on! Cheers, Scott
#16
#17
#19
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Roger:
The code 39 can be a bit of a catch all. It could be a gummed up EGR itself, but there are a few other things. My FF39 was resolved last fall by replacing the EGR vacuum solenoid - and this was after my mechanic had looked at it and suggested I live with it! You may need to check:
*EGR valve stuck open or not opening
*A flaky solenoid - not getting vacuum to the valve. Also check vacuum connections
*EGR temperature sensor
*the EGR tube itself may be plugged.
Let us know what you find!
Scott
The code 39 can be a bit of a catch all. It could be a gummed up EGR itself, but there are a few other things. My FF39 was resolved last fall by replacing the EGR vacuum solenoid - and this was after my mechanic had looked at it and suggested I live with it! You may need to check:
*EGR valve stuck open or not opening
*A flaky solenoid - not getting vacuum to the valve. Also check vacuum connections
*EGR temperature sensor
*the EGR tube itself may be plugged.
Let us know what you find!
Scott
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