1982 CHEVROLET CAMARO check engine

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 587

Fig. 1: Intake air te mperature sensor location on some TBI engines

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 588

Fig. 2: Intake air temperature sensor location on Tuned Port Injection engines

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 590
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect the TPS electrical wiring.
3. Remove the mounting screws.
4. Remove the TPS and, if equipped, s ensor seal from the throttle body.
To install: 5. Place the TPS in positi on. Align the TPS lever with the sensor drive lever
on the throttle body.
6. Install the TPS mounting screws.
7. Connect the electrical wiring.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.

Fig. 1: Exploded view of a common TPS assembly
MASS AIR FLOW (MAF) SENSOR
OPERATION
The Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor, found on some fuel injected engines,
measures the amount of air passing through it. The ECM uses this information
to determine the operating cond ition of the engine, to control fuel delivery. A
large quantity of air indicates acceleration, while a small quantity indicates
deceleration or idle.
The MAF sensor used on these vehicles is of the hot-wire type. Current is
supplied to the sensing wire to maintain a calibrated temperature, and as air
flow increases or decreases the current will vary. This varying current is directly
proportional to air mass.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 592

Fig. 2: Mass Air Flow sensor mounting, all models similar
KNOCK SENSOR
OPERATION
The knock sensor is usually mounted to the right lower side of the engine block.
When spark knock or pinging is present, the sensor produces a voltage signal
which is sent to the ECM. The ECM will then retard the ignition timing based on
these signals.

Fig. 1: Knock sensor

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 593
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Drain the engine coolant.
3. Raise and properly support the vehicle.
4. Disconnect the knock sensor wiring harness.
5. Remove the knock sensor from the engine block.
CAUTION - The knock sensor is mounted in the engine block cooling passage.
Engine coolant in the block will dr ain when the sensor is removed.
6. Installation is the reverse of remova l. Tighten the sensor to 14 ft. lbs (19
Nm).
VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR (VSS)
OPERATION
The VSS is located on the transmission and sends a pulsing voltage signal to
the ECM which is converted to miles per hour. This sensor mainly controls the
operation of the TCC system, shift light, cr uise control and activation of the EGR
system.

Fig. 1: Vehicle speed sensor (VSS)

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 594
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
3. Disconnect the VSS electrical wiring.
4. Remove the retaining bolt.
5. Have a clean container to catch the transmission fluid and remove the
VSS.
6. Remove and discard the O-ring.
To install: 7. Lubricate a new O-ring with a thin f ilm of transmission fluid. Install the O-
ring and VSS.
8. Install the retaining bolt.
9. Connect the electrical wiring.
10. Lower the vehicle.
11. Connect the negative battery cable.
12. Refill transmission to proper level.
TROUBLE CODES

SELF DIAGNOSTICS
READING CODES
The following procedure applies to mode ls with the 12 pin diagnostic connector
only.
1. Turn the ignition switch OFF. Locate the Assembly Line Diagnostic Link
(ALDL), usually under the instrument panel. It may be within a plastic
cover or housing labeled DIAGNOSTIC CONNECTOR. This link is used
to communicate with the ECM.
2. Use a small jumper wire to connect Terminal B of the ALDL to Terminal
A. As the ALDL connector is viewed from the front, Terminal A is on the
extreme right of the upper row; Terminal B is second from the right on
the upper row.
3. After the terminals are connected, turn the ignition switch to the ON
position but do not start the engine. T he dash warning lamp should begin
to flash Code 12. The code will disp lay as one flash, a pause and two
flashes. Code 12 is not a fault code. It is used as a system
acknowledgment or handshake code; its presence indicates that the
ECM can communicate as requested. Code 12 is used to begin every
diagnostic sequence.
4. After Code 12 has been transmitted 3 times, the fault codes, if any, will
each be flashed in the same manner th ree times. The codes are stored
and transmitted in numeric order from lowest to highest.
The order of codes in the memory does not indicate the order of occurrence.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 596
recommended to have a qualified technici
an perform any further testing, if
needed.
FIELD SERVICE MODE
On fuel injected models, if the ALDL terminal B is grounded to terminal A with
the engine running, the system enters the Field Service Mode. In this mode, the
MIL will indicate whether the system is operating in open loop or closed loop.
If working in open loop, t he MIL will flash rapidly 2
1/2 times per second. In
closed loop, the flash rate slows to once per second. Additionally, if the system
is running lean in closed loop, the lamp will be off most of the cycle. A rich
condition in closed loop will cause the lamp to remain lit for most of the one
second cycle.
When operating in the Field Service M ode, additional codes cannot be stored
by the ECM. The closed loop timer is bypassed in this mode.
CLEARING CODES
Stored fault codes may be erased from me mory at any time by removing power
from the ECM for at least 30 seconds. It may be necessary to clear stored
codes during diagnosis to check for any re currence during a test drive, but the
stored should be written dow n when retrieved. The codes may still be required
for subsequent troubleshooting. Whenever a repair is complete, the stored
codes must be erased and the vehicle te st driven to confirm correct operation
and repair.
The ignition switch must be OFF any ti me power is disconnected or restored to
the ECM. Severe damage may result if this precaution is not observed.
Depending on the electric di stribution of the particular vehicle, power to the
ECM may be disconnected by removing the ECM fuse in the fusebox or
disconnecting the inline EC M power lead at the positive battery terminal.
Disconnecting the negative battery cable to clear codes will achieve the desired
result, but this will also clear other me mory data in the vehicle such as radio
presets or seat memory.

GM – CAMARO 1982-1992 – Repair Guide (Checked by WxMax) 598
ENGINE COMPONENT LOCATIONS
COMPONENT LOCATION - 1982-1984 2.5L