went to look at a firebird today for my nephew it was a 98 firebird 3.8 v6 auto with t tops and for the most part the cars in good shape the front needs paint and a windshield but for $2000 cant complain its got the checked engine light and i ran my tourqpro app and i got code P0442 which is emission the tranny shifts good tho it will need a fluid change little dark but for the first 30 secs it surges from 900-1800rpms which i was hoping was the resaion for the check engine light but it wasnt i did some searching on the forum but didnt turn up any info on the 3.8s

 

One possibility is that there is a vacuum leak that affects the idle speed. Since you have the DTC P0442 and that could possibly involve the EVAP purge valve which is connected to engine vacuum, that is something to check. It is a can-shaped device on the passenger side of the engine just behind the alternator. To check that, pull off the vacuum hose going to the front of it, plug the free end of the hose with something, and see if the varying idle goes away. If it does, replace the valve.

 

theres only a few things that are used when in open loop.

copied from here Engine Tech

3800 PCM Operation

The 3800 computer has several Modes of operation:

STARTING MODE

When the ignition is turned ON the PCM energizes the fuel pump relay for two seconds, allowing the fuel pump to build up pressure. The PCM then checks the Engine Coolant temperature (ECT) sensor and the Throttle Position (TP) sensor. During cranking, the PCM checks the crankshaft position signal in order to determine the proper air/fuel ratio for starting. The PCM controls the amount of fuel delivered in the STARTING Mode by changing how long the fuel injectors are energized. This is done by pulsing the fuel injectors for very short times.

RUN MODE

The RUN Mode has two CONDITIONS called Open Loop and Closed Loop. When the engine is first started and engine speed is above 725 RPM, the system is in Open Loop operation. In Open Loop the PCM ignores the signal from the Heated Oxygen Sensor (HO2S), and calculates the air/fuel ratio based on inputs from the TP, ECT, MAF sensors. The system remains in Open Loop until the following conditions are met:

1. The HO2S has a varying voltage output showing that it is hot enough to operate properly (this depends on temperature).
2. The ECT has reached a specific temperature (reported to be 170 degrees).
3. A specific amount of time has passed since starting the engine.

When these conditions are met, the system enters Closed Loop. In Closed Loop the PCM changes fuel injector on-time based on the signal from the HO2S. This allows the air/fuel ratio to stay very close to 14.7:1.

ACCELERATION MODE

The PCM provides extra fuel when it detects a rapid increase in throttle position and airflow.

 

is the temp gauge reading normal?