Code 44 on a stock '84
 

Hello, All;

Please forgive this (and kindly redirect) as this may be a newbie question. My son and I recently purchased a 1984 that began running rough with a "Check Engine" light after several weeks of perfect operation. We read the codes and it was flashing a 44 (lean exhaust). After checking the wiring, we swapped out the O2 sensor to no avail. We checked the timing and found it was more than 12 BTC at idle (6 BTC is the spec.). Adjusting the timing made things worse.

Could it be a fuel pump (low pressure) thing? Or, is it something else? Any help is appreciated. My experience is in non-electronic vehicles so I am at a loss here.

Thanks in advance.

Tony

I forgot to add that after changing the O2 sensor and clearing the codes (disconnecting the battery), the Check Engine light has not come back but it still is running rough at idle and wants to quit unless it gets revved.

When you set the timing, did you unhook the timing connector? Look on the emission label for the directions.
I'd check the fuel pressure, these tbi systems can run on very low pressure, though not very good. I'd test it at the fuel filter, it has rubber hose connections, so you can tee into there. Good time to change that filter, stock spec is 9-13psi.

ex-x-fire: Thanks for the help. Yes, we did unhook the timing connector. After further dead ends, we gave up and took it to a local shop we trust. They found it had a bad intake manifold gasket. (The car had been stored for many years which might explain it.) All should be well by this afternoon.