94 B4C Build
 

Hey everyone,
I'm new to Camaros and wanted to start a build thread to track progress and allow input from the knowledgeable users here to get me on the right track.

The Basics:
B4C: LT1 and 6 speed
84,000 original miles
Lowered 2 inches with Eibach springs
No cat or real exhaust and no o2 sensors
Hurst shifter
Maroon in color with a black stripe

The Bad:
-SES light on

- Ugly color

-Low coolant light on

-Gas gauge is off by about a 1/4 tank

-Ride is pretty rough

-Ugly C4 Vette wheels need to go

-Needs a new bumper and driver front fender...considering a LS front end/headlight swap

-Weak key fob response

-Needs exhaust

-A/C is charged and blows cold but only when the AC compressor relay is pulled and you jump the terminals; but blows strong and cold when that's done; haven't checked the in car fuses yet just the fuse block at the motor

-ABS INOP light on; but brakes work fine and have a 3rd brake light

-Passenger window trim on the outside pops out

-Little interior parts: Blown speakers, center console needs pin for hinge, glovebox doesn't always latch

All the issues listed above taken into consideration I'm happy with the car. It drives fine and doesn't seem to have any issues. I have taken it on some trips and it did just fine and still wasn't too much of a gas hog.

Being stationed in 29 Palms, CA and recently having a baby my first priority is AC followed by exhaust and SES light. This isn't my DD, more of a weekend car, but I would like to be able to drive it comfortably when I need/want to. I will add more as it comes to me....Pictures attached.
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1. SES light is on most likely because of no O2 sensors. You usually need those on a computer controlled car to get it run right.

2. Low coolant light. Check coolant (given).

3. Gas gauge being off. Pretty normal for our cars. The shape of the tank is wedge like. Would think GM would have set up the float so it didn't cause this, but yeah. Mine usually reads about 1/4 off as well.

4. Agreed. Those do not look good on it.

5. First time I've ever heard someone wanting to put the catfish front end on, but your car. Just remember you gotta change the hood and I think the fenders as well.

6. Wheel sensor is the likely cause for the ABS. Front two require the whole hub and bearing assembly to be replaced. Rear sensor is just a sensor, but isn't cheap last I checked.

All in all looks like a sweet Camaro. Also, I think it was either repainted or or the year is off. The reason I say that is because 95 was the first year the Camaros had the option to have the mirrors and sail panels painted the same color as the body. 93 and 94 were standard black. Then again, maybe someone just painted the sail panel and mirrors body color. Oh, Welcome to the forums!

Thanks for all the info. I have the SPID with color code if that helps at all. Although I believe it was good repaint if so because even the jambs and hinges are painted. Here's the SPID:

Attachment 14707

Got my ALDL cable ordered today. I'm hoping there are some stored HVAC codes and that is why the AC isn't working via the knob on the dash. The compressor spins freely and when the AC Compressor clutch relay is jumped in the fuse block in the engine bay the AC pumps nice cold air. The HVAC fuse in the car checks out fine as well....any other ideas or things to check?

Also wanting to get into the exhaust...if I can find a reasonable set of headers I will start there otherwise I will start at the manifolds back...no smog or anything like that for the car so that's not an issue. Any advice on companies/parts to start with?

Sorry for the newb questions I'm coming from having diesels and modding them for the past 5 years or so. It's a whole other ball game here...

ALDL Cable for a 94? You know of a way to pull advanced body codes for a 94 and does not include a pricey scan tool? As a general rule the ALDL cables only work on OBDII (96+) and you can not see CAN codes until 2000. Even that is very limited. Pulling engine codes from a 94 or 95 can be problematic. In fact there is a sticking on this sight that list the scanners that work with the 94-95's and it is not a long list.

Careful jumping the AC relay, Most of the system that cause the AC system not to run do so to protect the compressor. I would never force a compressor to run until I was sure you have enough pressure and not too much pressure. You have a high low switches that the power passes though. They are the main ones but I think there are a few more that make sure things don't over heat.

You got the GM manual?

Haven't picked up the GM manual yet..need to. As far as I know this cable works ALDL OBD1 OBD cable OBDI OBD2 engine codes at least I was told it does...if not I'll be returning it. The scan software will be this Scan9495: Free OBD1 scan app for 94/95 LT1 - CamaroZ28.Com Message Board

I will be sure and check those high and low switches to see if the fault is with one of them. Thanks for the help!

You want to check the pressure first if it is ok then figure out which is bad. If your pressure is low you can force the compressor to run and it can get cold but the flow is so low it can not carry enough oil for the compressor so the system does not let the system cycle. You could just be a little low on R134

You can download the manual PDF in the Manual section on this form.

That is a very new thread you linked. I hope it works out, Keep us posted. Too bad I have a 93 and a 96, I have the cable for the 96 and can not see ABS or Air bag codes even with a copy of the Advanced Scan XL software.

I will have to look into how to test the switches. There is R134 in there but I need to double check pressures. I will keep you guys up to date on the cable and the scanning software. It's strictly for scanning as I am trying to go in baby steps with this car and do things right the first time. I've had some fun vehicles and a couple of fast ones and learned from my own mistakes and want to do it right.

Well the VIN shows that it's a '94, so someone repainted and did a real nice job, except I think the bezels by the headlights are supposed to be body color as well. Still looks nice.

Headers, if you have the money go with Kooks. Probably some of the nicest one's out there. If you're on a budget, Pacesetter is a nice brand as well.

Do you know what the color code is? It may sound stupid but I couldn't figure out how to decode that part haha. Any good vendors or places to look at purchasing from?

Okay..maybe I'm dumb..I couldn't find the GM manual. A lot of the manual threads were empty....

I'll have to double check but that looks like Medium Patriot Red Metallic. I'll verify tomorrow for you. Also, you can decode all of your RPO codes here to see what all options your car came with.
https://camaroforums.com/forum/93-02...o-codes-50977/

pacesetters are good, have em coated. you will need the y pipe as well. looken at about 500. theres a stainless set for close to that but i cant find the thread with the link in it yet. for exhaust you should check out a few doz utube videos to see what you like best. some of the guys like the borla setup because you can adjust it.

shop manual is in the manuals section. the one in the first post works for me. files are big. https://camaroforums.com/forum/camar...d-views-73894/

Right on. Thanks for the RPO codes list. I will check them out. As for the pacesetters that's not too bad. I will keep my eyes open for a set...and definitely will check out the youtube videos to find the one I like.

When I pull up that thread I get this:

i have a cable for my 93. used datamaster. had to find someone that could use a pc to get this

Attachment 14706

Looks like it works great.

does this show My Files

No...which is weird as hell because it shows on the email...from here all I see is "does this show" but in the email subscription for the thread it has the link...damn Linux..maybe I'll find a copy of Windows on the internet and go back to it haha...but thanks for the link and it works fine on my phone/email! :)

Ok now, I fixed it!!! lol https://camaroforums.com/forum/camar...d-views-73894/
Is the link not showing at all? Does this link show? ^

Thanks! Wasn't trying to call you out thanks for the information and informative post in general!

Does the link in my last post show?
I ask because the link you couldn't see that I put in the other thread was done by giving a title (F Body Service Files), then hyperlinking to that.
The link in my previous post was a direct copy and paste of a URL. Curious if that makes a difference?

In your last post here the link shows and takes me to the thread with the Service manuals...but in the service manuals thread I still see no link...

Ok, go back to that thread if you would and see what you can see. I copied and pasted the URL, which is the address associated to the link that you can't see. It's on the second line below "Click Link"

Still nothing just: "Click Link >>" with nothing below or beside it

Got the ALDL cable. I will be downloading the software and seeing how it goes. Expect to hear results and hopefully a list of codes soon. Thanks guys!

So far I have about 100 users of my Scan9495 app and no real complaints yet. This week I released a Scan9495-V6 version for those years also. I will probably be doing the 96 and 97 ABS modules next, just have to find some folks to donate samples :) I am told a 96 TCABS is in the mail.

Follow-up to my prior post:
I received the 96 ABS/TC module, and Scan9495 works well reading it's parameters and trouble codes, as well as resetting the codes. It is apparently comms-compatible with the 94 and 95 ABS modules with only a few trivial differences. I do not have a 96 PCM with which to pair it, so the 94 PCM had to do for now. If Scan9495 does not read your 96 ABS module, you may have to unplug your PCM to keep it off the old OBD1 bus.

I was able to use Datamaster to monitor my car. I have not forgotten about this thread we just had a baby and it has been a hectic few months. My car threw a MALF 29: EAS Electrical Fault and MALF 77: Fan 1 Fault (car has electric fans on it). No O2 sensor codes, although it is straight piped with no cat and no O2s...I'm confused...this is my first Camaro and I now have to make it smog legal so I am going to find try and find a stock exhaust. Also bizarre was how the AC has only worked by bypassing the relay and now it worked without fault and blew nice cold air..

To add to the interesting start to this story, I had a guy get ahold of me recently and let me know the car has been through roughly 4 owners in the past year..yikes! I want to try and fix it up and give it a long term home.

Attached is a video of the log:

Also wanted to add that I am going to be making smog legal power, I'm moving to Nevada and getting out of the military so I can no longer register the car in my home state and need to pass smog. In NV the test is idle speed and 2500 rpm..any suggestions for where to start?

volts are low, should be 13+ volts, knock count is high. you may have 02 simulators on it. is there anything hooked to the 2 wires, one should be by the passenger side exhaust other comes out of the harness that goes to the trans.

I will check today for the o2 simulators. I need a new alternator just haven't bought one as the car isn't totally my DD yet. I will probably buy an alternator and battery together as the one in the car looks pretty dang old. Anything else that strikes anyone as odd? I'm going to a junkyard today to look for a stock exhaust as mine is pretty terribly hacked up. Also is there a way to test relays? Like before I start buying expensive ABS parts to check that it's not just the ABS relay that needs replaced for my ABS INOP issue? I do believe also that unhooking the battery and letting the car sit reset the SES light because my AC troubles are no more.

The hack job I'm dealing with on replacing the exhaust with something smoggable. Also adding photos of the engine bay..let me know if you see anything weird..there is also an MSD CARB badge on the drivers side..assuming MSD Optispark?

Have you tried using my app (Scan9495) to check the ABS trouble codes? There is also an actuator for the ABS relay and several others in the app.
By the way, the newest version adds recording and playback functions and can read any Datamaster log files.

I haven't yet. I tried it initially but couldn't figure out my driver issues. I am going to download the newer version and give it another try. Thanks!

ABS shouldn't be too hard to track down. Air in the system and one of the wheel sensors come into mind first.

Awesome! I will be using Scan9495 to try and track it down. If I can't get it to work any other way to narrow it down?