1992 SSEi ses light and reduced engine power - solved

[redmetrix]

I have a 92 SSEi and I first realized something wasn't quite right when I would for example be under full throttle in 2nd gear and noticed varying engine power, not hugely noticeable but noticeable. Then that problem seemed to clear itself up and it was running normally for a the last few weeks. But now recently I get the service engine light sometimes, it only comes on for a few seconds while driving then goes off and is not dependent on how the car is being driven. I also noticed that ever since the light has started to come on/off, engine power is about the same as a naturally aspirated 3800. Other than that the car runs great like it's supposed to. Any ideas?

[J Wikoff]

Get the code! Paper clip trick in techinfo... My guess is pre-ignition is causing timing retard

[MKMike]

x2 on getting the code.
The SES light flashes to warn you of a potentially catalyst damaging issue.
Ignition system troubles head the list of likely causes.
Failing coils, bad wires, worn spark plugs, ICM failing are all possible ignition system suspects.
Fuel issues are often due to a clogged fuel filter, faulty fuel pressure regulator or failing fuel pump.
There are other possibilities, too so getting the code can help narrow down the source.

[redmetrix]

Just checked the stored codes, they are 56 and 58. Looks like 56 is Quad-Driver " B " Fault and 58 is PASS-Key Fuel Enable Circuit. I should add that the i took the car in a couple weeks ago to get the alignment checked. Immediately after leaving the alignment place is when the ses light started to come on. The ses never came on before that. From a google search I am seeing that the quad-driver b code could mean something is shorting out. I wonder if the mechanics were pushing around on wiring and it caused this.

[MKMike]

The great thing about this long running forum is that sometimes forum searches yield some very valuable info.

Back in 2008 Willwren wrote,"56 is Quad Driver B which is one of 3 things or more: Boost control solenoid on the front of the supercharger mounted to the round black actuator. Did you re-connect it? EGR solenoid (usually disconnected or it throws an individual solenoid code instead of a QuadB). Is it disconnected from your work? Round mushroom thing? Try cleaning and lightly oiling the 3 springs and shafts otherwise. 3rd thing is the TCC solenoid in the trans, and I doubt that unless it's blown, as it doesn't sound like the car will drive 48mph for the TCC to even want to lockup."
from
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... hilit=code 56 quad driver b#p40476

This may not be the case on your car, but if error code 56 is present and the engine light comes on roughly 4 or 5 seconds after you let off the gas to decelerate, and the light stays on for a few seconds and then turns off, and this repeats consistently like that and happens only when you decelerate, that behavior has happened twice on my '92 SSE supercharged over the last few years, and in both cases the problem was a defective boost control solenoid. The boost control solenoid is mounted on the front of the supercharger, on the intake side. It's mounted with a single nut and only takes 5 minutes to replace. If the problem isn't the boost control solenoid, I hope it's not the TCC solenoid because the tranny would have to be removed in order to replace that.

Taken from
http://www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com/fo ... hilit=code 56 quad driver b#p136498

Code 58 is a known bug in the 1992 PCM.
Just ignore this one.

Take note that the 2nd link contains pages of the FSM with troubleshooting info, so don't just go with the quotes and skip the actual post.

[96 SSEi]

since you state that the car feels non boosted, I would check the boost control solenoid first

[J Wikoff]

You can remove the little vacuum elbow from between the solenoid and the boost control actuator then see if your power came back.

[MattStrike]

My experience with quad drivers is they go bad if the issue isn't fixed. If the thing that's being controlled (the coil in the solenoid) is open circuit long enough it burns out the driver. If it's intermittent, I'd recommend checking that the terminals inside the wire connectors are properly springing up so they make good contact with the sensor terminals, and that the wires aren't internally broken. Wiring is the most annoying thing to diagnose, but is generally the main cause of stuff like that.

I had one bad coil in the EGR solenoid, and it threw a quad driver code on the '93 SE. By the time I figured out what it was and replaced the EGR it was too late. I don't know enough about the PCM to try and replace the driver (which can be done). Junkyard PCM was just easier.

If you have a DMM, you can use the diode tester and resistance meter to determine if any of the coils in the solenoids is open. I can't remember the number, open circuit or little to no resistance means that the coil is bad. I want to say 5-10 ohms is normal, but I don't have that info.

[redmetrix]

I'm leaning toward the boost control solenoid. I did take note of the boost gauge when the car feels non boosted under full throttle and sure enough the gauge is just slightly above 0, where as normally the gauge goes way over to the right. The issue is intermittent.

[redmetrix]

Today I checked the resistance with a multimeter on the boost control solenoid, it measured one ohm so I am thinking it is no good. Is the one in the link below the one I need?

https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... ALIQ2SsIJA

[96 SSEi]

Today I checked the resistance with a multimeter on the boost control solenoid, it measured one ohm so I am thinking it is no good. Is the one in the link below the one I need?

https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... ALIQ2SsIJA

from the description, this is a barometric sensor, and since you are looking for a solenoid, I would say no it's not the correct part - does it look similar?

[J Wikoff]

That is the right thing. The part for Series I was discontinued sometime back, but the Series II solenoid works if you bend the bracket. You'll see what you need to do when you compare them.

[redmetrix]

The new solenoid fixed it. I really appreciate the help!