'93 Centry Problem

[BruceY]

The problem is as described below

1) On many occasions as I drove the car at different speeds, it would start to loose power. Start to very faintly begin to shudder and I would notice this. To "get around" this I found that if I mashed the gas pedal to the floor it would accelerate strongly. The the problem would go away. Go away for an unpreditable time. It could be trouble free for months, weeks ,days or even a few minuites. In the begining I noticed it at 55-60mph+ hardly a way to get good gas miliage.

2) On one occasion I drove it to work after a few months of it running great. I picked up a co-worker and we went to work. I travel down I-95 at 65mph with NO PROBLEM When we left to take him to where his car was being serviced it initally ran fine. After 25 mins it started to act really weird. I pulled into a parking lot and popped open the hood to figure out where the sound ( loose metal best describes it).I could not find anything visually.
BUT
When I put back into gear (automatic) it would die out. I managed to limp it home by starting the motor , putting it tinto gear, mashing the gas ( sometime worked but most not), then when I felt it dieing out, I would put it back into neutral to keep it running. It was realy bad at this point. 3 blocks from my home it smoothed out. As I puled into my driveway it died.

Note: I have had it to local Buick dealer for their service dept to look at. They could not duplicate any porblems durring the 2 days they had it. I was told this model year did not have the capability in the computer to remember fault codes.

I have replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs and plug wires, air filter to not avail. I have been on another Buick forum last year and with changing pc's we use, I could not recall where so here I am. I do recall on that site it was recomended to replace the Ignition Control Module to start

It starts right up and idles somewhat smoothly even after sitting for weeks. of course I'm leary to take it out on the road and want to get this issue fixed.

Any imput would be welcome Thank You Bruce

[guyopel]

What size eng. is in your car ?

[BruceY]

The Motor Size Is 3.3 V6

[BruceY]

Just got a chance today to use my new Actron CP9185 code scanner with ALDL cable. The result code (only 1 code given) was #34 MASS AIR FLOW (MAF) SENSOR SIGNAL VOLTAGE IS TOO LOW. Now only that code given. Thinking my battery was low on charge, especially when car would'nt turn over, I charged the battery up enough to start the motor. It started right up. Let it run for an hour then shut ti down. Put it back on the battery charger for another 3 hours. Disconnected the charger and did the code tests with motor off and then again with motor on. Same results.
Can a faulty MAF cause my above mentoned symptoms?

[guyopel]

Yes a bad MAF sensor or a damaged connector at the MAF sensor can cause this but check the connector first with the eng. running , pull wires at the connector to check for engine changes in running .
You can also have a MAF sensor code if you have low eng. vacuum ( caused by clogged exhaust sys. ) which can be tested at an exhaust shop. HTH
John

[BruceY]

exhaust system from Cat back was replaced less then 2000 miles ago. Will look into the MAF sensor..thank you Dude....Bruce

[BruceY]

Vehicle Data List

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.3
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 188
ENGINE RPM 675
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1168
O2S(mV) 653
O2S CROSSCNTS 8
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:13
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
FRAME: -5

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.3
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 188
ENGINE RPM 700
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1184
O2S(mV) 724
O2S CROSSCNTS 5
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:14
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame:-4 Time:-4.6

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.2
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 675
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 LEAN
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.7
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1168
O2S(mV) 346
O2S CROSSCNTS 12
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:15
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame:-3 Time:-3.5

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.0
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 675
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 LEAN
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.7
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1184
O2S(mV) 453
O2S CROSSCNTS 6
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:16
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame:-2 Time:-2.4

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.2
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 725
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1184
O2S(mV) 781
O2S CROSSCNTS 4
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:17
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame:-1 Time:-1.3

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.3
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 700
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.5
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1176
O2S(mV) 626
O2S CROSSCNTS 4
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:19
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 0 Time: 0.0

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.2
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 675
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1184
O2S(mV) 724
O2S CROSSCNTS 16
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:20
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 1 Time: 1.1

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.1
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 675
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 LEAN
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1168
O2S(mV) 355
O2S CROSSCNTS 14
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:21
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 2 Time: 2.2

coDES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.1
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 725
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 LEAN
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1176
O2S(mV) 351
O2S CROSSCNTS 5
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:22
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 3 Time: 3.3

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.3
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 650
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.7
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1168
O2S(mV) 750
O2S CROSSCNTS 6
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:23
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 4 Time: 4.4

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.1
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 650
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.7
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1192
O2S(mV) 706
O2S CROSSCNTS 4
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:25
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 5 Time: 5.5

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.3
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 700
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 RICH
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.6
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1176
O2S(mV) 684
O2S CROSSCNTS 7
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:26
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 6 Time: 6.6

CODES PRESENT YES
2ND GEAR SW OFF
3RD GEAR SW OFF
4TH GEAR SW OFF
A/F RATIO 59
AC CLUTCH OFF
AC ENABLED NO
AC HEAD PRES NORM
AC REQUEST ON
BATTERY(V) 14.3
LT FUEL TRIM 123
LT FUEL TR CL 16
BRAKE SWITCH OFF
EVAP DUTY(%) 13
EVAP SOLENOID ON
CLNT STRT(øF) 177
COOLANT(øF) 190
ENGINE RPM 650
KS COUNTER 0
EXHAUST 02 LEAN
FC1 RELAY OFF
FC2 RELAY OFF
IAC DIRECTION FWD
IAC POSITION 41
IDLE REQ RPM 675
INJ PW(mS) 2.7
KNOCK RET(ø) 0
LOOP STATUS CLSD
MAF(gr/S) 1176
O2S(mV) 440
O2S CROSSCNTS 20
PNP SWITCH P/N
PROM ID 1084
QUAD DRIVER 1 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 2 BAD
QUAD DRIVER 3 OK
QUAD DRIVER 4 OK
RUN TIME 01:27
SPARK ADV(ø) 19
TCC LOCKUP NO
TCC SOLENOID OFF
TPS SENSOR(V) 0.33
VEHSPEED(MPH) 0
Frame: 7 Time: 7.7

1993 Century
N=3.3L MFI
Diagnostic Codes
History Code 34
Mass Air Flow (MAF)
Sensor Signal
Voltage Is Too Low

[BruceY]

AFTER SPENDING $500 FOR TORQUE CONVERTER BYPASS SOLINOID AND IT cleared almost everything right up no more code 34 go figure NO CODES???? WELL no codes when driving BUT do get QUAD DRIVER 1& 2 BAD at IDLE. They're OK at driving speeds. Right now driviving back and forth to work figuring out mpg's real fun with out the odometer working oy quasi-->