Code P0122, P0303, P1635 plz help

1996 Bonnevile SE. 3.8L non-supercharged Hi, i just got a few question and need some help located things. :) I just bought this car about a month ago for 500 bucks cuase it was crashed into a pole. :() just a bit of body work and a transmission pan, Which i have already fixed. Now here are my problems:P :banghead:

Code P0122 =
( Throttle Position) sensor


Code P1635 =
5 Volt Reference Voltage Circuit condition,
- Ecm has detected a fault in the 5 volt reference voltage line
- Probable cause - Sensor using 5 volt reference line shorted to ground
- Circuit short to ground.
Im not sure if this could be why but,.... I installed my own stereo Deck, all the speakers, a 4 channle amp and 2 channle amp with 2 subs, I know My 4 channle amp has a bad grounding that i havn't fixed yet Seeming my drill broke:/ The bad grounding to that amp causes one of my speakers to do what is called car nosies, It makes the sound of the Motor/deck/ Anything really. Could this be at fault?

Code P0303 = FIXED by Replacing COIL
Cylinder Misfire detected-cylinder number 3
- The powertrain control module monitors the crankshaft speed and has detected a misfire condition.
- Probable cause - Ignition system fault-spark plugs, Ignition wires, coil
- Vacuum leak
- Injector fault
- High or low fuel pressure
I Just changed All the plugs AND wires, Im going to try and tell you a little about what the car does and doesn't do lol, so bare with me. :)

First off...... The car does indeed start Right up everytime,
AT idle It seems to be having a little trouble........ The rpms don't really drop or go up but, Its just like the car really just wants to gooo, Which is another thing i noticed, While im driving the car seems to just keep going even with my foot of the gas.. and i mean like up to 22 mphs which is faster then it should be goin without you're foot on the gas last time i checked.

It drives super smooth but,..... When i try to floor it, half the time it revs out like i just droped the clutch and kicked it into gear for the tires to spin and get a good amount of power going with a delay: I was thinking this has to do with a hose leaking air but,.. wasn't sure.

I can't really think of anything else atm :) Soo... I hope thats it.:)

Just speak you're mind on what you think, i will be listening and THANK YOU, I really hope someone can help me with this. :) Thanks again

the throtle position sensor is located on the bottem of the throtel body witch is on the driver side the air box hose is attatch to it if you replacethe sensor that may fix your trouble or it was bumped in the impact see if you have some wires crushed going to the sensor because that is the referance voltage code trouble out of adjustment on the sensor will cause the high idlecondition

OH<!> Okay Thank you for the information, I will look at it in about 20 hours :) and Will post on what i find, Hope to speak to you soon. Thanks :bananadie

It would help to post the year. The TPS is is located in a different position on the Series II engine. You could have several problems, but until we know the year, we can only speculate.

It would help to post the year. The TPS is is located in a different position on the Series II engine. You could have several problems, but until we know the year, we can only speculate.

Good ideal.... :) I posted it up top. :) 1996 SE

With all the codes listed, you could have either a bad TPS, PCM, clogged cat, leaking vacuum lines, or trans modulator. Check the modulator vacuum line for trans fluid.

I said something here but, i changed mind:P i'll post back in a bit, i got a few days off to mess with the car :) Due to a foot injury :(

In terms of wiring everything looks good, There is one vacuum hoes that connects to the uhmm............... Intake senser on top, ( i forget the name lol ) Its got a 3 way split and it does lose air from there, Its right below and to the left of that.

Oh and the car doesn't leak anything but,... The car does kinda smell like fuel
Also no lose of tranny fluid.

is it air or is it a vacume leak if it a vacume leak then that would explain the high idle

is it air or is it a vacume leak if it a vacume leak then that would explain the high idle


Vacume Leak.. Although It doesn't Always have high idle and I check all The ones that are fairly easy to find and see, Changed about 95% of everyone i found seeming they were all Cracked and what not but,... The car still at times Does it's high idle thing:<

I also Found out that My lights shut off......... let's see if i can try to explain.
This car has running lights. Which never turn off but,... When its night and i turn the headlights on/Parking lights/ Foglights, They will Just shut off While i am driving or while just siting at a light, I try to turn them back on and nothing...... MY dashboard Lights Also shut off, If i turn the car off then back on they come back on but, For the length in which they stay on seems to be random, Could be 10secs, Or 30 mins of driving, Any thoughts?

And Is there any way to check if My TPS needs to Be replaced? I took it off, On the inside it looks brand new It feels good also, The metal connectors look shiny and silver as well,

What are the odds Of a coil Pack only having fault to one Plug? I know this is a dumb question but,... I just want to be sure :)

a indicator of bad tps is surging of idle if you sitting at a light does this car sometimes surge or if your driveing highway speed does it surge take a can of carb cleaner and spray all around your vac fitting if idle increases there is a leak as far as your light i have no idea there is a sensor some were for those the tps is a resistor it sends a referance voltage to the computer for more or less fuel they are around 30$ but they need ajustment after you remove them if you have a scanner it real ez but with out one there are three wire on them take a volt meter and put one to grnd then find the one that has less han 1 v that needs to be like .43 volts

a indicator of bad tps is surging of idle if you sitting at a light does this car sometimes surge or if your driveing highway speed does it surge take a can of carb cleaner and spray all around your vac fitting if idle increases there is a leak as far as your light i have no idea there is a sensor some were for those the tps is a resistor it sends a referance voltage to the computer for more or less fuel they are around 30$ but they need ajustment after you remove them if you have a scanner it real ez but with out one there are three wire on them take a volt meter and put one to grnd then find the one that has less than 1 v that needs to be like .43 volts


Well.... Sometimes while the car is at a still The idle does jump up to 2 pluz its even idled at 4k But, on avg the idle is about 950, although.. YES the Car does Surge, I hate wires lol :banghead:

So to find if one of my connectors are bad for the Vac hoses, I can just spray Some carb cleaner on it?:" To find out if i need another one there? * IF * Idle jumps up?

you have just answered your troubles replace the tps and that will take care of two of your codes 122,1635 then disconnect the batt to clear the codes and see what you come up with and yes carb cleaner will raise the idle a little if there is a vac leak in the last post i told you how to adjust the tps it hard to get to the screws but put them in and leave one lose and tighten the other a little just so you can move it around to adjust the volt .43

Okay. :) Thank You Very much for helping me " everyone :) " It will be about 6 days untill Next payday:"<> lol so I will get to replacein then. :)

After I do, I'll Post up and say wether or not it's goin good OR :banghead:

Thank's Again. :)

Would a Bad TPS Cause The car to shut off? ....... :/ This has happen a few times, well about 4 or 5 times over 200miles of the car being drivin, Or Maybe a Wireing Harness problem?

It has only happen thoses few times while going below 20 mph. Seems to be A fuel Problem for Sure but, Im not sure, the Car is being Drivin Around bascily on E. Although just barley below the * Warning Low fuel * line, the check guages Light comes on to after it hits that line which is normal i belive:P Thats Really when the car becomes uhmm... Ify*

I know I could Give more detail but,... I've never been good at explaining things lol... So bare with me. :)


Ummmmm One More Thing that May Be Very Important, At idle If i Rev up to like 4.5k What ever the limiter is at....... Right As i let off the Gas, The exhaust Kind'a..... Sounds like its BackFireing, ummm.... like a recoil, I honestly don't know how to explain the sound, Can i upload a Sound File?

I was Just thinking about what HotZ28 Said, about a clogged cat < How would this affect the car?

running a car on e is bad for the fuel pump you could have a fuel pump going bad it heats up and shuts down then cools and restarts check fuel pressure it should be 35 to 40 psi if im correct .a cloged cat would give poor mpg it may be sluggish on take off or will not get out of it own way check the tail pipe you should have a good flow of exhuast .the car has a built in rev limiter it will like rev hi low when it get to the limiterits like it shut the motor down then lets it run so that normal

running a car on e is bad for the fuel pump you could have a fuel pump going bad it heats up and shuts down then cools and restarts check fuel pressure it should be 35 to 40 psi if im correct .a cloged cat would give poor mpg it may be sluggish on take off or will not get out of it own way check the tail pipe you should have a good flow of exhuast .the car has a built in rev limiter it will like rev hi low when it get to the limiterits like it shut the motor down then lets it run so that normal

How Would I check The Fuel Pressure? I Think I know Where but,... I've Never done it before, Just On the Line Above the fuel injectors? And do i check while on?

you need a specil guage for those fitting but that fitting you see is the one you check it on you might rent one from auto zone you get your money back after you return it

Check key on not running and also if possibe when under load.

New TPS has been put in. New coil Which fixed Cyn 3 missfire. :)

Tps code still comes up with the 5 volt line.

Oh the car gets Good mph or so i think... lol, I havn't Checked the Fuel Pump Yet but,... Today as I was pullin Out the DMV The car shut off, only this time when i turned it back on... EVERYTIME i would press the gas, the car would shut back off........

It Would stay idle but, once i pulled the throttle it would kinda just.... die, No Rev or nothin just die. Then After i did that a few times... The car wouldn't even turn back on just Turned over." Car still Had power though " When the only thing it would do is turn over i heard this noise...... Sounded like aSurge of Power runing off a wire Sparking Off of sumthing behind the motor towards the firewall. I tryed to turn the car on a few times just to hear the nosie and it was going on everytime,.. I sat there for about 30 mins Messing with some wires, then just waited for my freind to come...Btw..... I did DO Alot of driving Today About 50 miles i think On and off, Car only Ran about 210 in the temp.

After about 50 mins i turned the car on and it started up like normaly... Gave it gas and it was fine.....Then drove home like it was fine. :confused: ..... No Surgeing Nosie like when the car only turned over...

Fuel Pump Problem ? This really seems like i have a going fuel pump as well,
It does seem like there is an open wire Somewhere:<

I plan on taking the car to the Dealer or just pepboys and do a full dyno :banghead: but,... That'll be next payday again lol

I really do thank everyone for there time and information. Honestly I can't Thank you enough :) You're not only saving me money but, helping me learn. :evillol:

when you replaceds the tps did you adjust the sensor to proper voltage if it out of adjustment it will still throw a code i have done this before and learned from it

Honestly ... I don't know how to adjst it, And when i used a volt meter thing, it only read like 200+.. sumthin lol maybe i was doin sumthin wrong lol And i didn't test it while tps was connected, i just tested the plug

there is three wire going to it check the two out side wires set the volt meter to dc volt put the black to ground end turn the key on with the tps connected put the prob to one wire at a time one of those wire should give you a reading of less than one volt that is you wire set it to .43 v and that should do it i will look at my buick and see what wire give me that reading tommaro and repost in the morning

Thank you, Allthough i don't understand how to set it. lol I'll mess around with it tonight. :)

ok i went and looked at my 92 buick 3800 the center wire is the wire you need to stick the volt meter to .the tps should be slotted leave one screw lose and tighten the other one just enough to move it around one the volt meter put the black wire to ground then stick the other one in to the plug were the wire gose to with the key in the on positionand the plug connected to the tps you should read a .43 volt then to see if you have the right wire move the throtle it should increase in volt then release the throtle .move the tps around to adjust you will see the volts change good luck it pretty simple once you figure it out

ok i went and looked at my 92 buick 3800 the center wire is the wire you need to stick the volt meter to .the tps should be slotted leave one screw lose and tighten the other one just enough to move it around one the volt meter put the black wire to ground then stick the other one in to the plug were the wire gose to with the key in the on positionand the plug connected to the tps you should read a .43 volt then to see if you have the right wire move the throtle it should increase in volt then release the throtle .move the tps around to adjust you will see the volts change good luck it pretty simple once you figure it out

I know for a fact that the middle use to give power or.. A reading but, i had only checked it in ohms, I went to check it again on volts and I get NOTHING. I put the black wire to the ground, and The red to the middle one which is light greenish and i get nothing on any setting, If i put the red to the power i do get something, Would the car even start if the middle wire wasn't working ?

I have another question... Is there a way to rig the fog lights and parking lights so they work when the Highbeams come on?.

if you have three wire one of them is going to give you your referance volt im not up on the bonnivilles but all the gm of this body are about the same use your volt probe touch each wire then operate the throttle. the wire you want will be the wire that the volage increases with the throttle movement that how i figured mine out before i got my scanner set the meter to dc volt

Well...... Seems luck didn't run my way.. Let's forget the TPS lol, The TRANSMISSION........... The car won't drive in first or 2nd gear UNLESS I put it in first and 2nd manully allthough... Its slipin Hard but, still goes very slowly none the less While REVING it's really like they arn't catching at all ..... 3 and 4 are fine, So I think i must be saying my farewells for awhile....
Seems like i need a rebuilt tranny :< = 1,500$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Is there a way to rig it without shifting 1st and 2nd? just like... never shift out of 3rd ahhahahahah... :/

With 134k miles... Is it worth it? Or should i stop before i go toooo faR:" :moppie:

Thanks again everyone. :smokin:

ouch thats bad news a tran in michigan is 1400 $ but there is thing you can do before you write it off fluid and filter change is on then then throw a bottle of trans medic in it if the trans is a toltal loss then thy putting in a few onces of brake fluid what it do's to the seales it swells them up but it is up to you some one told me this and i tryed this in my buick tran and it is still going but put the medic in it first it sound like you have a bad modulator or a sticky valve good luck

ouch thats bad news a tran in michigan is 1400 $ but there is thing you can do before you write it off fluid and filter change is on then then throw a bottle of trans medic in it if the trans is a toltal loss then thy putting in a few onces of brake fluid what it do's to the seales it swells them up but it is up to you some one told me this and i tryed this in my buick tran and it is still going but put the medic in it first it sound like you have a bad modulator or a sticky valve good luck

Thank you for the advice, depending on how much that cost:< i'll do it. :) and see what happens, I have a feeling like...... ITs just super dirty, it did sit for 1 YEAR with a hole in the bottom off the pan, In vegas which is a desert lol.

I don't think i have ever seen trans medic before, how much would i poor in? and do you know about the price of it? And a few Onces of brake fluid ? :evillol: lol Thats crazy lol :evillol: but, i'll do it.

Well it was a good short run.. lol Transmission = burnt clutchs... or sumthin like that lol, Bascily only matter of time now :jerking:

Now i just got to think lol..... Thanks again,

trans medic is a gunk product i found mine in murrys auto it 5.00 or6.00 $ a qrt and as far as brake fluid that is your last resort what it do's to the tranny is if you feel the fluid it has a sort of grip to it so it help your clutches grab if you have slipping cluches and it will swell rubber up so if you have seal leaking it might seal them up it only a last resort i dont know how much to put in i put a couple of oz in my tranny a year ago and its still driving what do's the fluid look like and smell like brown and burn you might think off changing it before you go the extream and do all the other stuff it might be a plugged filterand when you drop the pan you can see what kind of material is in the pan like metal shaving or some think else

When i drive the car Cold :< It seems to want to drive more while in first gear but, still slips... When i drive for a couple of miles, Light after light it seems to slip more and feel like it doesn't want to go anymore untill it shifts into 2nd going 35 mph,

Is there a way to Make it not shift into first? Just start at 2nd or even stay in 2nd... A connection i can undo or something? I know that won't fix it but,.... Maybe it will let me drive alittle bit longer :)

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