1st Generation S-series (1983-1994) Tech Discuss 1st generation S-series (1983-1994) general tech topics here.

Toughest fight I've ever had ! Code 42

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 09-24-2017, 05:56 PM
JTWard's Avatar
Beginning Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SE corner of PA
Posts: 48
JTWard is on a distinguished road
Question Toughest fight I've ever had ! Code 42

I beyond myself with this stupid "Service Engine Soon" light. I've replaced the plugs, wires, Temperature sensor, Ignition control modual , coil Distributor cap and rotor, the distributor itself. but today after 5 miles it came on again. I'm out of ideas now ?
 
  #2  
Old 09-25-2017, 01:11 AM
MountainDew's Avatar
Starting Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Youngstown Ohio
Posts: 121
MountainDew is on a distinguished road
Default

and you checked the wires from the ignition module to the ECM as best you can? I have seen them pinched in the bell housing. You have replaced everything that code 42 would set other than a short in the wire or a loose connection. Start it up a start wiggling wires a little and see if you can get the service engine light to come on.
 
  #3  
Old 09-25-2017, 01:14 AM
MountainDew's Avatar
Starting Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Youngstown Ohio
Posts: 121
MountainDew is on a distinguished road
Default

also make sure your engine ground is working. I just use a test light hooked to the positive and start touching bare steel on the engine and see if the test light will light.
 
  #4  
Old 09-25-2017, 06:31 AM
JTWard's Avatar
Beginning Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SE corner of PA
Posts: 48
JTWard is on a distinguished road
Exclamation code 42 help

Originally Posted by MountainDew
also make sure your engine ground is working. I just use a test light hooked to the positive and start touching bare steel on the engine and see if the test light will light.
Yes the wires to the ECM are OK, but I'll see if there is a good ground. Thank you !
 
  #5  
Old 12-04-2017, 04:57 PM
JTWard's Avatar
Beginning Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SE corner of PA
Posts: 48
JTWard is on a distinguished road
Thumbs up Mystery code 42 found !

Originally Posted by MountainDew
and you checked the wires from the ignition module to the ECM as best you can? I have seen them pinched in the bell housing. You have replaced everything that code 42 would set other than a short in the wire or a loose connection. Start it up a start wiggling wires a little and see if you can get the service engine light to come on.
The problem was a secondary product. I got some advice to open the cap and remove the rotor, Look at the ignition Module, 1. If the ignition module is white or red as in a hi performance cheap item, Take it out and throw it away. 2. Go to a supplier who carries GM PARTS. Get a GM and only GM ignition Ignition module. 3. Wipe off the base plate clean with some Acetone and wipe off any and all dirt, old thermal paste, and clean the hold down screws real good. 4. Apply a THIN coating of the white thermal paste to the new ignition module under side, and keep it to the size of a large postage stamp. Reinstall the module, plug in the three connections and put the screws on and tighten ONLY to finger tight, then go 1/8 more. The layer of paste only needs to be about the thickness of a loose leaf paper.

I disconnected the ground cable to wipe out any stored codes. Button it up and fire it off and see if the light for a code 42 or "Service Engine Soon" ever comes on. But 70% of all Code 42's are the ignition Module. Came from a GM senior tech at a Chevrolet outside Detroit. Once I did as told the "Service Engine Soon" never came on again.
 

Last edited by JTWard; 12-10-2017 at 10:40 PM.
  #6  
Old 12-04-2017, 07:26 PM
GreenBlazer2002's Avatar
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Thomson, Ga.
Posts: 605
GreenBlazer2002 is on a distinguished road
Default

Awesome. Thanks for posting this. ����
 
  #7  
Old 12-10-2017, 03:19 PM
Lefet's Avatar
Starting Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Beach Lake, PA
Posts: 219
Lefet is on a distinguished road
Default

Wow, the mysteries are endless. So happy for places like "Blazer Forum". God only knows how many blazers would be stuck on the side of the road permanently.
 
  #8  
Old 12-10-2017, 10:48 PM
JTWard's Avatar
Beginning Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: SE corner of PA
Posts: 48
JTWard is on a distinguished road
Default

The one other thing I did was replace the cheap yellow Accell silicon wires with a 8mm GM Professional set of wires, and my 350 plug is a RC43TS gap @ 0.35 with a AC Delco #1 Platinum Rapid-fire Plugs gap 0.45 and you would not believe the difference. I hunted around for any data about using these late model plugs, but I couldn't find any. But I did install a MSD High output coil. the stock one was rated @ 33.000 volts and the new one is rated @44.000 volts.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PGG
Tires and Wheels
0
03-19-2015 10:15 AM
Steve-o
General Chat
68
08-20-2011 10:19 PM
matt92
The Lounge
12
01-30-2011 11:04 PM
JTalley
The Lounge
192
01-12-2011 04:31 PM
wlorton
The Lounge
8
10-05-2010 09:40 AM



Quick Reply: Toughest fight I've ever had ! Code 42



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:50 AM.