I just completed an entire top end rebuild on a 1990 bonne le. It was prompted when the heater hose that plugs into the water pump decided to work its way out. I replace the water pump, valve cover gaskets, intake manifold gasket (cleaned as well), EGR valve, and all the gaskets and stuff. Got everything together and went to fire it up and it stumbled a lot then stalled. Tried again and it ran rough. There are no vaccume leaks or other leaks. I pulled the codes and got number 22, which is a faulty throttle position sensor. So i replaced that along with the camshaft position sensor and I still have the same problems. Pulled the code and i still get the code 22 with the new part. Any suggestions?

Did you do a compression test? how are the head gaskets?

The compression seems fine, runs pretty good when I mash the gas but the idle it really bad and the code 22 boggle my mind.

Codes can take a while to clear. Check it later in a week. Or clear them with a tool.

I will clear the codes but even if the codes are gone, I'm still left with a car that is hard to start and wants to stumble to death.

A bad TPS wont cause the car to stumble. If it only does it when idling, and you're not on the throttle at all, I would check the IAC valve. We just fixed this on damemorders car this weekend, his car would start rough, idle like a mountain cam big block (sure sounded cool on his exhaust), and die on some downhills/decents etc. If the IAC is bad, the car will barely idle because the throttle plate will be closed, and no air can go around it.

Other issues may be a cam or crank sensor, or bad ignition system. Fuel doesn't sound like a culprit yet.

Also, try kicking your catalytic converter under the car, see if it rattles for us

there is a fuse for the ECU [forgot the number, its written on that panel you have to remove to get to the fuse panel] well the ECU fuse is there, remove it over night. Go back to the car tomorrow and start her up.. crack open the throttle when cranking so just enough air comes in through the TB instead of the IAC controlling it. I know that because my bonneville isn't driven, when cold the car performs like crap, and the ECU is reset at least every other day, because the little driving she gets, I don't want her to remember. But after she'* up to running temp, she purrs like a kitten, and roars like a tiger [except now she isn't running due to a crushed oil pan].


-justin

Thanks for all the help! I was able to clear the codes by disconnecting the battery and pulling the ECU fuse. I also cleaned my IAC valve, but was wondering should this part move at all. Mine was rock solid and when I put it back in the stumbling and urge to die continued. I also just replaced the cam sensor to help rule that out.

How difficult was it to replace the cam position sensor? Mine has apparently gone out, and I'm either going to have to do it myself or pay my mechanic $350 to do it.

$350??? holy crap, your getting ripped dude! I think a new one is like $20 or something, and you can do it yourself from what I understand..


-justin