Since coming out of winter storage my '97 has died twice, both times requiring tows to my house. My hand held reader is only showing P0100 but my neighbor's Tech II is also pulling P1626.

After clearing the P1626 and using an unused original GM key (in plastic) which came with the car new the motor ran great. Even the MAF code P0100 cleared itself (SES turned off) Problem solved, nope.

Motor will run perfect for a good 5 minutes and then just die. Battery is two years old but even if it's tired it shouldn't cause the motor to die, right? Motor cranks but will not start unless I disconnect the battery which will clear the P1626. The Security light turns off after 5 seconds just as it should so I'm not sure where to start. Could it be the BCM or the ignition cylinder? Originally thought is was the fuel pump but since it does run more than likely that's not the issue.

All fuses appear to be intact and all grounds that I know of are secured. Right before it dies the idle does become irratic and the motor seems to be starving for fuel. Don't think it's the Opti, but it is 10+ years old.

Car is a '97 Camaro LT4 SS with 20k miles with a Superchips tune from 2002.

Any help would be appreciated, hate to drop the car off at the dealer only to waste $.

 

Did you put fuel stabilizer in the car when you put it away? Is your fuel fresh now? Change the filter, disconnect the fuel line at the engine and ground the fuel purge for a while to see if the lines are clear. Could be the VATS module or the fuel pump relay which is activated by the VATS.

 

No stabilizer, but I ran the motor twice a month during the winter. Second time it died was after I put fresh gas in the tank two days ago. Motor cranked fine but would not fire after pumping the gas. Where is the VATS module located? I thought about changing the fuel pump relay, but since it runs before P1626 is tripped I ruled that relay out.

Thanks

 

Under normal operation a P1626 means the PCM has lost the 50HZ signal from the Theft Deterrent system AFTER the engine is running. In that case it will post the code but since all was well when the engine started up (no U0100) code it assumes an electrical failure not a theft problem and keeps the engine running. If the TD system sees a wrong key pellet at startup security lite will lite for 5 mins, no 50HZ to PCM kills injectors and the Theft Deterrent Relay wont pick (aka: no starter solenoid pick). Since you are dying while running could be the ignition line to PCM cutting out. When it won't start does the fuel pump run for two seconds every time key goes off/on. The PCM should detect off/on ign and pick fuel pump for 2 seconds. If no pump then PCM is not seeing ign off/on sequence or PCM is not working. Another PCM check is to look at your TAC when it won't start, PCM should see opti pulses and register low (200 or so) RPM when cranking.

 

The fuel pump does not run for 2 seconds when the motor is not running when the key is in on/off. I believe this scenario occurs when P1626 is tripped. Not sure about the Tach registering below 200 RPM when cranking?

Thank you for the input

 

Stranded for the 3rd time tonight! Drove the car for an hour, no problems, parked it went into store and it wouldn't start. Came close to firing but no go. If I disconnect the PCM/BAT fuse for an hour she will fire right up. No SES light is trigged. The Security light is on for 5 seconds and then turns off just as it's supposed to. What am I missing?? Removing the fuse is erasing P1626, but why is it problem in the first place? Motor has fresh gas, but I have not checked the fuel pressure. But since it runs great I shouldn't need too.

Anyone have an idea where I should start? Thanks