I have been getting a Check Engine light in the morning when I first start the IROC after a few days of waiting until the sun came out. I checked the code and it is a code 54. My book says this is a fuel mixture solenoid, or ground short to ECM Possible damaged ECM. The exhaust smells rich.

Anyone have this code on a 5.7L. The car is hard to start in the morning, but runs fine with the light on. Next start light ususally goes out. I have not tuned the car in 30,000 miles or almost 8 years. This just started this spring. Car was fine when I put it away for the winter.

What should I try first to eliminate the code 54?

 

It could be a ground. Maybe there was moisture in the car when you stored it for the winter and it possibly corroded the ground for the ecm... Easiest way to check that would be to test the ground at the ecm instead of trying to find it elsewhere.

 

I've got a mechanic friend helping me with this one. We put a fuel pressure gage on and the gage stays a 0 until after 20 seconds of cranking. Then it starts right up. Pressure comes right up to 50 or so. We just checked the tan and white wire from the fuel pump relay and there is no power. The relay may be the culprit. I will get a new fuel pump relay and install it as soon as I can. I'll check the ground as well. Thanks 86irocu for the tip.

 

Picked up a fuel pump relay form auto parts store, but it does not look the same on the inside. I decided not to install the new relay. It is going back to the store. While researching, the AC relay is identical to the fuel pump relay and sitting 4 inches away. My AC does not work anyway, so I swapped relays and starting problem solved. What does this AC relay do? Does it kill the compressor when the driver calls for more power?