Hello, great forum! I am thinking about buying a 93 ssei. I would like to know what to look for, to keep from getting in over my head...It has the wacky gauge problem and a ses code 42 seems to idle ok, but at higher rpms it stumbles and pukes all over itself. so I will replace the Ecm and hope for the best. Any other help would be great.
By the way I can purchase this car for about $900.00 Is it worth it?

Thanks in advance.

Ok.. before you buy an ECM wait for the 93 gods to find your post.

One item to watch out for is the CCR option. I'm not sure if it was available in 93, however if next to the shifter it has two buttons (performance ride and normal ride) and both lights are lit. Make sure it has newer struts and not the factory originals. Both lights lit means theres a malfunction if the struts are original and you'd be replacing them.

Like I mentioned..the 93 Gods will soon find your post and give you the rest of the things to look at or think about.

Code 42 is the Electronic Spark Control circuit. Possibly the crank sensor, it'* wiring, or the ICM is at fault. Doesn't matter, if the car is in otherwise good shape, it'* well worth it at that price. The only unknown will be the trans, but if it shifts smooth, you'll bo ok for awhile.

CCR was not an option in 93, so don't worry about it.

93 was the last year of self diagnosis for PCM codes, as well as the last year for climate control self-diagnosis. Very easy to work with a 93.

I wanted to try to figure out the code 42 problem. The car runs ok at idle and at say 40 mph but if you accel hard it chokes and backfires and won't get out of it'* own way. It also sounds like a jet and smells like rotten eggs...could this also be a catalytic converter problem? As for the shape of the car the drivers side bolster is worn thru the a/c dosent blow cold. To make it real nice it could use a hood, grille and driving lamps. Any help on finding these would be a huge bonus.Iit seems to shift fine and drives pretty good "tight" . I just need to drive it back and forth to work...25 miles each day. Opinions would be great!
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oop'* forgot when I read the code 42 from the ses, the ses light never went out it just slightly got brighter when reading the code. I have never had that happen before with any gm car.

Backfiring is a symptom of over-fueling or under-timing. Considering your code, I'd say under-timing or misfiring. Your catalytic converter can be the victim of this. Running too rich will shorten it'* life.

You're likely to have a few problems with it. From my point of view, I'd buy it for that price. Your risk needs to be balanced against your skill with cars and the help we can give you.

I have a 92 se. I would be concerned about the tranny. " It aint going to last forever"! Mine needing rebuilding around 145 K. Cost around $ 2400 at the local tranny shop. Also, I had the front end of my motor rebuilt (sort of, I guess). Had to have the cam sensor replaced and they conviced me I might as well have the timing chain and associated "stuff", i.e., sprockets, etc. (sorry, I'm not very technical) changed as well. Apparently, those items needed removed to get at the camshaft sensor and it didn't make sense to put the old parts back into the motor. This cost around $1200 (at the dealership).

The tranny rebuild is a bout 2 years old and the motor work is almost going on 1 year. So far so good. With 176 k on it now, I hope to drive it for a long time. My wife thinks I'm crazy, but I love my 92 bonneville. As a matter of fact, I bought an 02 ssei, drove it for about 6 months while my 92 sat in the driveway (with the bad motor). After my wife drove the new bonne a couple of times, all of the sudden her 94 accord no longer met her needs and than all of the sudden she wanted a new car. That was just the excuse I needed. I gave her the new 02 bonne, sold her accord and used the proceeds to to get "my old dear friend" back on the road. Although I liked the 02 ssei very much, particularly its performance, I hated the seats. The seats in the 92 are 10 times more comfortable.

My advice .... go for it and enjoy!

Ok so here we go I got him down to $800 so I took it I'll start working on it tomarrow...
I'll need your help guys.... So thanks in advance! Hey any one here from northwest OHIO?

Well I drove it home today and it drove OK. SES Light is still on with code 42, but I think I have most everything else figured out. If you were me would you replace the ingintion control module first? It'* a pretty cheap fix, I can get one for $35 at the local yard with coil packs on it. They will guarantee it for 3 months. Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks

there are a few members that are from oh10......