Diagnostic Module Code 19 (on pin 19) - 4.2L engine

[bill420e]

the car seems to rum well but every 4 trips or so, the check engine light and this code. I did some research and it seems that it could be a problem with the computer not being able to make the mixture correct and the computer might need a new chip to allow this. Kind of a big project.

Any ideas what else to check to make sure this is the issue.

This is a Canada car without cats.

Bill

 

[gsxr]

Re: Code Diagnotics 19-19

Bill, a few questions...

1) What year / model is your car?
2) Where do you live?
3) What is the part number of the LH module currently in the CAN box?

Code 19 generally indicates the adaptation level is maxed out, however this usually only affected cars in a certain geographic area. In the meantime, make sure the fuel pressure regulator vacuum hose is connected (and not leaking), and there's no fuel present in the hose. The EPROM swap is straightforward, but if it's not the root cause of your problem, swapping the chip won't be a permanent fix. I have those special chips available if you need one, but I'm not yet convinced it's your problem.

 

[gsxr]

BTW, the "new chip" is discussed in more detail at the link below, although the information on that page is not entirely accurate (and, it's for 4.2L engines only, not 5.0L, despite what that website says). I'd sell the chip for less than half what he's asking.

https://www.k6jrf.com/MB_S500.html#DTC-19

 

[bill420e]

Thank you for your thoughts. I will check more on the vacuum. The car is a 94 from Canada without cats. I am not sure which computer it is. The ones in the cat are
011 545 97 32 GM
013 545 39 32
124 545 40 32 E GAS
016 545 13 32

 

[gsxr]

Thank you for your thoughts. I will check more on the vacuum. The car is a 94 from Canada without cats. I am not sure which computer it is. The ones in the cat are
011 545 97 32 GM
013 545 39 32
124 545 40 32 E GAS
016 545 13 32

011 545 97 32 - GM - Power supply
013 545 39 32 - ASR+ABS
124 545 40 32 - E-GAS (throttle control)
016 545 13 32 - LH module (fuel injection / mixture control)

The "new chip" would be installed in the LH module.

Not that it matters, but AFAIK there was never a model officially imported to North America without catalysts. If it has no cats, a previous owner would have removed them.

 

[bill420e]

Maybe is does have cats. I am not sure where they are located exactly.

I am just north of San Francisco in CA

1994 car

I looked at the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator. It seems in good shape and OK fit. However, a very strong gas smell in line. I was not able to suck out and further gas or fumes with the car off. It seems to me that the regulation should not be leaking gas fumes into the vacuum line. Again, no liquid, but very strong smell.

Do you think that replacement of the regulator is appropriate?

I just noticed something else. 7 of the injectors are red and one is blue.

Thank you for all the help.

 

[gsxr]

Pretty likely the car has cats, as you'd never pass emissions testing in CA without them. They are located roughly under the front seats of the car.

If there was a strong gas smell with the vac hose removed from the FPR, and the FPR is old/original... yes, I would replace it. They are not expensive.

Apparently one of your injectors was replaced, which is odd... those are rare failures. Maybe one was physically damaged somehow.

 

[bill420e]

The car continues to run great but after a few trips, the 19 code is back. I did replace the fuel pressure regulator with not difference, but it did seem to leak a bit. I am thinking of checking for vacuum leaks, maybe a small leak at injector seal? The way I used to do this was with starter fluid sprayed around the running engine to see if idle increases. Any better way?

The code with only be a problem when I need to smog the car in a year and change.

Any other ideas on this code?

 

[gsxr]

It wouldn't hurt to check for vacuum leaks. A smoke test would be ideal. A digital scanner to read the adaptation values would pinpoint if that is the root cause of the code 19.

You could always swap out the chip, click here for photos of what's involved. IF the adaptation values are out of normal range, the chip swap should fix it.

 

[gerryvz]

You could always swap out the chip, click here for photos of what's involved. IF the adaptation values are out of normal range, the chip swap should fix it.

click where?

 

[gsxr]

Darn forum ate my homework! vBulletin, grrr....

 

[bill420e]

How is a smoke test done?

I have a basic scanner OC1 I think. What do I need to get this value?

Thank you so much for the help.

 

[gerryvz]

A smoke test requires a smoke machine or other means of injecting smoke into the intake system. If there are any air/vacuum leaks in the intake, then you can visually see where the smoke is coming from and remedy the problem. A few folks here have had success smoking a car and blowing the smoke into an intake line (such as the brake booster line), but I recommend going to a mechanic who has a smoke machine, or building/buying one yourself. Much better way to go about it.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[AngryBeavr]

Does anyone know where I can get one of the chips (EPROM) mentioned in this thread? They are no longer available in the link above. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[gsxr]

Does anyone know where I can get one of the chips (EPROM) mentioned in this thread? They are no longer available in the link above. Any advice would be appreciated.

Huh? @AngryBeavr, do you mean K6JRF is no longer selling the 4.2L EPROM for DTC 19 on 400E/E420?

Also, have you confirmed the fuel pressure at the rail is normal? If the FPR is faulty or disconnected, that will cause CEL code 19.

I can supply this chip if needed, I used to sell them on eBay before eBay banned all chip sales that "modify" factory programming (link).

 

[AngryBeavr]

I emailed K6JRF requesting a chip. I got a response that this gentleman had a stroke and not able to respond. His wife was who replied. Hopefully he recovers.

I did replace the fuel pressure regulator and ensured the vacuum line is intact. Code 19 returns.

Thanks for replying quickly GSXR. If you could kindly PM me. I would like to purchase a chip for my E420.