Codes: Thermoactor Air Problems?

jaymac

New Member
Feb 18, 2004
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Northern Mass
My car died today while sitting at a light (still don't know why. Started right back up and took off....
I ran the codes:
KOEO: 34 (EVP sensor or Pressure Feedback EGR sensor: signal voltage out of Self-Test specs.) OR (signal voltage above closed limit during normal engine run operation) OR (Signal indicates insufficient EGR flow).

I got that code for both KOEO and KOER. Any idea where to start looking and how that would translate into vehicle performance?

Then, KOER:
94 : Thermoactor Air System problem on the right bank
44 : Problems in the thermoactor air system
and then 34 again.

Are the Thermoactor Air System problems stemming from the fact that I have an O/R H pipe and I plugged one of the tubes going from the smog pump to the stock H pipe?
Or should I be looking somewhere else? Would that code/condition be affecting performance?

Thanks for any help in advance!

J
 
if the EGR is functional at idle (which it should not be), it can cause the idle to seriously degrade or the car will stall altogether.
 
Code 34 Or 334 - EGR voltage above closed limit - Failed sensor, carbon between EGR pintle valve and seat holding the valve off its seat. Remove the EGR valve and clean it with carbon remover. Prior to re-installing see if you can blow air through the flange side of the EGR by mouth. If it leaks, there is carbon stuck on the pintle valve seat, replace the EGR valve ($85-$95).

If the blow by test passes, and you have replaced the sensor, then you have electrical ground problems. Check the resistance between the black/white wire on the MAP/BARO sensor and then the black/white wire on the EGR and the same wire on the TPS. It should be less than 1 ohm. Next check the resistance between the black/white wire and the negative battery post. It should be less than 1 ohm.

Note that all resistance tests must be done with power off. Measuring resistance with a circuit powered on will give false readings and possibly damage the meter.

This will affect idle quality by diluting the intake air charge

Codes 94 & 44 - AIR system inoperative - Air Injection. Check vacuum lines for leaks, & cracks. Disconnect the big hose from smog pump: with the engine running you should feel air output. Reconnect the smog pump hose & apply vacuum to the first vacuum controlled valve: Its purpose is to either dump the pump's output to the atmosphere or pass it to the next valve. The next vacuum controlled valve directs the air to either the cylinder heads when the engine is cold or to the catalytic converter when the engine is warm. Disconnect the big hoses from the back side of the vacuum controlled valve and start the engine. Apply vacuum to the valve and see if the airflow changes from one hose to the next.
The two electrical controlled vacuum valves mounted on the rear of the passenger side wheelwell turn the vacuum on & off under computer control. Check to see that both valves have +12 volts on the red wire. Then ground the white/red wire and the first solenoid should open and pass vacuum. Do the same thing to the light green/black wire on the second solenoid and it should open and pass vacuum.

Remember that the computer does not source power for any actuator or relay, but provides the ground necessary to complete the circuit. That means one side of the circuit will always be hot, and the other side will go to ground or below 1 volt as the computer switches on that circuit.

The computer provides the ground to complete the circuit to power the solenoid valve that turns the vacuum on or off. The computer is located under the passenger side kick panel. Remove the kick panel & the cover over the computer wiring connector pins. Check Pin 38 Solenoid valve #1 that provides vacuum to the first Thermactor control valve for a switch from 12-14 volts to 1 volt or less. Do the same with pin 32 solenoid valve #2 that provides vacuum to the second Thermactor control valve. Starting the engine with the computer jumpered to self test mode will cause all the actuators to toggle on and off. If after doing this and you see no switching of the voltage on and off, you can start testing the wiring for shorts to ground and broken wiring. An Ohm check to ground with the computer connector disconnected & the solenoid valves disconnected should show open circuit between the pin 32 and ground and again on pin 38 and ground. In like manner, there should be less than 1 ohm between pin 32 and solenoid valve #2 and pin 38 & Solenoid valve #1.

If after checking the resistance of the wiring & you are sure that there are no wiring faults, start looking at the solenoid valves. If you disconnect them, you can jumper power & ground to them to verify operation. Power & ground supplied should turn on the vacuum flow, remove either one and the vacuum should stop flowing.
See the following website for some help from Tmoss (diagram designer) & Stang&2Birds (website host)

http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/fuel-alt-links-ign-ac.gif

http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/engine/images/88-91eecPinout.gif
 
I have been running with the thermactor codes for many years now (I think both 94 & 44). The car runs perfect and I have not been inclined to try and figure it out. Plus, I pass California smog with flying colors so I figure, why bother? It doesn't affect my car's performance that I can tell, so I would guess that the problem is the EGR rather than the smog pump.
 
where i live in ohio we don't have emissions--so i took all that crap off. it just takes up space, looks bad, and adds weight. i don't think it gives much performance to take it off though.....but the motor does have to turn that compressor... :shrug:

jaymac- sorry to change subject....but how do you like those 4.10's? just wondering-i've been thinking of getting some.
 
88hatchblack said:
jaymac- sorry to change subject....but how do you like those 4.10's? just wondering-i've been thinking of getting some.

The only thing i didn't like about them was the increased RPM's on the highway (3000 @ 70 mph), but I got used to that. Now with the rebuilt Tranny, I think the highway RPM's might have changed, but I don't have a speedo gear right now (putting it in today), so I don't know for sure...

They definately woke up the car, even with the dying AOD. I think they've realized their potential now with the rebuild, but I've only really stomped on it twice so far!

However, I've heard some people don't like 4.10's w/ a manual. Some say first gear is useless and if you drive around town alot, you're constantly shifting gears.
I would ask around some 5 speed guys to see what they think!

Good Luck!
J