These are the GM specific OBD1 DTC codes:
GM common codes for OBD1 (for vehicles made before 1995)
12 System normal
13 oxygen sensor circuit open
14 coolant sensor high resistance or shorted
15 coolant sensor circuit low or open
16 direct ignition system (DIS) fault in circuit
17 cam position sensor fault
18 crank or cam sensor error
19 crank sensor circuit fault
21 tps sensor out of range
22 tps sensor signal voltage low
23 intake air temp sensor out of range, low
24 vehicle speed (vss) sensor circuit fault
25 air temp sensor sensor out of range, high
26 quad-driver module (computer) circuit #1 fault
27 quad-driver module (computer) 2nd gear circuit
28 quad-driver module (computer) circuit #2 fault
29 quad driver module (computer) 4th gear circuit
31 cam position sensor fault
32 egr circuit fault
33 map sensor signal out of range, high
34 map sensor signal out of range, low
35 idle air control sensor circuit fault
36 ignition system circuit error
38 brake input circuit fault
39 clutch input circuit fault
41 cam sensor circuit fault, igntion control circuit fault
42 electronic spark timing (EST) circuit grounded
43 knock sensor
or electronic spark control circuit fault
44 oxygen sensor lean exhaust
45 oxygen sensor rich exhaust
46 pass-key II circuit or [Link] switch circuit fault
47 pcm-bcm data circuit
48 misfire diagnosis
51 calibration error, mem-cal, ecm or eeprom failure
52 engine oil temperature circuit, low temperature indicated
53 battery voltage error or egr or pass-key II circuit
54 egr system failure or fuel pump circuit low voltage
55 a/d converter error or pcm not grounded or lean fuel or frounded reference voltage
56 quad-driver module #2 circuit
57 boost control problem
58 vehicle anti-theft system fuel enable circuit
61 a/c system performance or degraded oxygen sensor signal
62 engine oil temperature high temperature indicated
63 oxygen sensor right side circuit open or map sensor out of range
64 oxygen sensor right side lean exhaust indicated
65 oxygen sensor right side rich exhaust indicated
66 a/c pressure sensor circuit low pressure
67 a/c pressure sensor circuit or a/c clutch circuit failure
68 a/c compressor relay circuit failure
69 a/c clutch circuit head pressure high
70 a/c refrigerant pressure circuit high
71 a/c evaporator temperature sensor circuit low
72 gear selector switch circuit
73 a/c evaporator temperature circuit high
75 digital egr #1 solenoid error
76 digital egr #2 solenoid error
77 digital egr #3 solenoid error
79 vehicle speed sensor (vss) circuit signal high
80 vehicle speed sensor (vss) circuit signal low
81 brake input circuit fault
82 ignition control (IC) 3X signal error
85 prom error
86 analog/digital ecm error
87 eeprom error
99 power management
Emissions Repair
Auto Air-Conditioning
Engine Replacement
Catalytic Converter Replacement
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Extra Content
GM Truck OBD 1 Codes and Instructions
Checking trouble codes on the OBD-I system used in GM trucks from 1988 to 1995 is easy.
It requires no tools other than a paper clip or small piece of wire for jumping the A & B
terminals on the ALDL connector. The ALDL connector is under the driver's side of the dash.
Here's a picture showing the A & B terminals at the top right:
1. With the ignition switch off, jump the A & B terminals on the ALDL connector.
2. Turn the ignition switch on (but do not start engine)
3. Watching the "Service Engine Soon" light on the dash.
4. Each code will be represented by the SES light flashing, pausing, and flashing.
5. Normal operation begins with code 12, represented by a flash, pause, flash flash indicating "1"
and "2" meaning "12".
6. Each code will appear 3 times before moving on to the next. Codes are display in numerical
order.
7. When the list of codes has completed, the list will repeat, starting again with 12.
8. Code 12 is normal and not an indicator of a problem.
Please note that a code is a starting point and does not necessarily mean the particular sensor or
system is bad. Codes can often be caused by other problems and the particular sensor is only
reporting that its set of data is out of range; it is up to the troubleshooter to determine the cause
of the problem.
Codes can be cleared by disconnecting the battery for 20 seconds. Codes will also clear if after
50 starts the problem has not reoccurred.
This is a list of codes relating to gasoline engines. Not all codes apply to all systems. If you have
a code not listed, contact Apex Automotive and we'll further research for you.
13 - O2 (oxygen sensor) circuit open
14 - ECT/CTS (engine coolant temperature) sensor circuit low (high temperature)
15 - ECT/CTS (engine coolant temperature) sensor circuit high (low temperature)
16 - VSS (vehicle speed sensor) buffer fault
21 - TPS (throttle position sensor) circuit high (signal voltage high)
22 - TPS (throttle position sensor) circuit low (signal voltage low)
24 - VSS (vehicle speed sensor) circuit low
28 - TR (transmission range) pressure switch assembly
32 - EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valve error
33 - MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor circuit high (low vacuum)
34 - MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor circuit low (high vacuum)
35 - IAC (idle air control) error
36 - Idle speed control actuator error (when equipped)
42 - IC (ignition control) error
43 - KS (knock sensor) error
44 - Lean exhaust
45 - Rich exhaust
51 - PROM (memcal, chip) error
53 - System voltage high (supply to ECM/PCM)
54 - Fuel pump relay circuit low voltage
55 - ECM/PCM error
How to read older GM codes or older Detroit
Home
If you own a 1982 to 1995 GM car or truck, you just might be able to read your trouble codes for
free! If you have a connector like this under your dash, read on... (note: this connector may have
a black plastic cover over it, so also look for a cover shaped like this, sorry for the messy wires
here) This is referred to as the Assembly Line Communication Link (ALDL) connector.
ALDL Diagnostics Connector (Located Underdash)
How to read the codes
1. Ground terminals A and B (see diagram below) with the ignition "ON" and engine not
running. The system will enter the diagnostic mode. In this mode, the computer will display a
Code 12, three consecutive times, by flashing the "CHECK ENGINE", "SERVICE ENGINE
SOON" or "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP" or light. A Code 12 consists of one flash, a
short pause, then two flashes in rapid succession.
2. After Code 12 is displayed, any stored trouble codes will be displayed by flashing the
"CHECK ENGINE", "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" or "MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP"
light. All codes are displayed 3 times each then a code 12 will repeat. In the diagnostic mode, the
computer will also energize all computer controlled relays and solenoids.
GM 2 Digit Trouble Codes
Tech -- GM 2 Digit codes for 82 and up (non OBD-II) code - code definition
12- diagnostic mode
13- 02 sensor or circuit
14- coolant sensor or circuit/ high temp indicated
15- coolant sensor or circuit/ low temp indicated
16- system voltage out of range
19- crankshaft position sensor or circuit
21- throttle position sensor or circuit- voltage high
22- throttle position sensor or circuit- voltage low
23- mixture control (m/c) solenoid or circuit (carbureted models)
23- manifold air temperature (mat) sensor or circuit (1990 and earlier models)
23- intake air temperature (iat) sensor circuit (fuel-injected models)
24- vehicle speed sensor (vss) or circuit
25- manifold air temperature (mat) sensor or circuit - high temperature indicated (1990 and
earlier models)
25- intake air temperature (iat) sensor or circuit - high temperature indicated (1991 and later
models)
26- quad driver module circuit
27- quad driver module circuit
28- quad driver module circuit
29- quad driver module circuit
31- park/neutral position (pnp) switch circuit
32- baro sensor or circuit (carbureted models)
32- egr circuit (fuel-injected models)
33- manifold absolute pressure (map sensor signal voltage high
33- mass air flow (maf) sensor or circuit - excessive airflow indicated
34- manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor signal voltage low
34- mass air flow (maf) sensor signal - low airflow indicated
35- idle speed control (isc) switch or circuit (shorted) (carbureted models)
35- idle air control (iac) valve/ circuit
38- brake switch circuit
39- torque converter clutch (tcc) circuit
41- no distributor signals to ecm, or faulty ignition module ( carbed models)
41- cylinders select error- mem-cal or ecm problem ( fuel-injected models
41- cam sensor circuit (3.8 engine)
42- bypass or electronic spark timing (est) circuit
43- low voltage at ecm terminal l (carbureted models)
43- knock sensor circuit
44- oxygen sensor or circuit - lean exhaust detected
45- oxygen sensor or circuit - rich exhaust detected
46- power steering pressure switch circuit
48- misfire diagnosis
51- prom, mem-cal or ecm problem
52- calpak or ecm problem
53- egr fault (carbureted models only)
53- system over-voltage (ecm over 17.7 volts)
54- mixture control (m/c) solenoid or circuit (carbureted models)
54- fuel pump circuit (1986 and later models)
55- oxygen sensor circuit or ecm
55- fuel lean monitor (2.2l engine)
61- oxygen sensor signal faulty (possible contaminated sensor)
62- transaxle gear switch signal circuits
63- manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor voltage high (low vacuum detected)
64- manifold absolute pressure (map) sensor voltage low (high vacuum detected)
66- pressure sensor or circuit air conditioning