ECM Code 61 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

jrd1990zr1 · 05-31-2011

Went out for a short ride tonight, coming down an acceleration ramp I put my foot into it, felt like the secondaries kicked in for a short time then the car seemed to buck a little and the dreaded "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Backed off the pedal and in a few seconds the "Service Engine Soon" light disappeared. When I got home I pulled the ECM codes and got a Code 61. According to Gordon's book this is a Secondary port throttle valve system fault.

I also noticed when I turned the key on to start it again the vacuum pump is running constantly. I checked the pump, it is holding vacuum. Problem seems to be a leak under the plenum.

Before I pull the plenum I was wondering if any one else had this problem before and is it possible I have a bad secondary port throttle solenoid??? Could it be one bad actuator with a leak???

Any advice, thoughts or suggestions?? I need to get this fixed before the Northeast group goes to Lime Rock.

Thanks, John

sammy · 05-31-2011

with the pump running all the time it could be a leak.the only way to really tell is do a plenum pull and ck each piece out . but the port throttle solenoid is problem toast

rhipsher · 05-31-2011

Yep. If all your secondary items hold a vacuum then its most likely solenoid. Also while you've got the plenum off clean your check valve. If dirt gets in it it will stick open.

jrd1990zr1 · 06-01-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhipsher

Yep. If all your secondary items hold a vacuum then its most likely solenoid. Also while you've got the plenum off clean your check valve. If dirt gets in it it will stick open.

I don't want to damage the check valve, is there a procedure to clean it? Or is it as simple as blowing compressed air thru it?

Thanks

tomtom72 · 06-01-2011

I just blow thru it to see if anything comes out John. I've had my plenum off a number of times and never had any junk come out of the check valve each time I blew thru it.

You can get replacements, even AutoZone has ones that fit but they don't look the same.

Tom

jrd1990zr1 · 06-01-2011

Thanks to all,

I will pull the plenum next week, I've got a feeling it isn't the solenoid since when I stepped on the pedal the secondaries kicked in momentarily. In thinking about this I almost bet one of the secondary actuator diaphrams has failed. I'll have to check all the components.

Thanks again, John

Demps · 06-01-2011

John,
Pull and plug, with your finger, the vacuum hose on the passenger side of the plenum (between 4 & 6 runners) If the vacuum pump stops it is the check valve. Buy a $1.50 vacuum check valve and a piece of hose (I used fuel hose) for a temp fix until you can get under the plenum. If the pump still runs after pulling and plugging the hose the problem is a vacuum leak somewhere else.

Ted

Oh yeah, if it's not obvious, turn the key on (ACC) without starting the car.

rhipsher · 05-31-2011

Even if your secondaries are not operating your Z will still run fine and idle smoothly. It just wont have any balls.

rhipsher · 06-01-2011

The check valve should only have flow in one direction. If you give it a BJ

and blow air through it with yo lips and you can blow through both ends then the little BB ball inside is stuck. Just spray some WD40 in it and blow it out with compressed air and it will be as good as new. But don't clean it with Acetone. It will melt.

05-31-2011	#1
jrd1990zr1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Delanson, NY Posts: 916	ECM Code 61 Went out for a short ride tonight, coming down an acceleration ramp I put my foot into it, felt like the secondaries kicked in for a short time then the car seemed to buck a little and the dreaded "Service Engine Soon" light came on. Backed off the pedal and in a few seconds the "Service Engine Soon" light disappeared. When I got home I pulled the ECM codes and got a Code 61. According to Gordon's book this is a Secondary port throttle valve system fault. I also noticed when I turned the key on to start it again the vacuum pump is running constantly. I checked the pump, it is holding vacuum. Problem seems to be a leak under the plenum. Before I pull the plenum I was wondering if any one else had this problem before and is it possible I have a bad secondary port throttle solenoid??? Could it be one bad actuator with a leak??? Any advice, thoughts or suggestions?? I need to get this fixed before the Northeast group goes to Lime Rock. Thanks, John __________________ 1968 convertible Lemans Blue, 1986 coupe Medium Blue NCRS Top Flight (sold), 1990 ZR1 #2529 Red NCRS Regional and National Top Flight (sold), 1990 ZR1 #2124 Charcoal Metallic NCRS Top Flight 2010 & 2018, 2003 Anniversary Red Convertible (sold)

05-31-2011	#2
sammy Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: back in lone pine Posts: 591	Re: ECM Code 61 with the pump running all the time it could be a leak.the only way to really tell is do a plenum pull and ck each piece out . but the port throttle solenoid is problem toast

05-31-2011	#3
rhipsher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston 90 Red ZR-1 Posts: 2,320	Re: ECM Code 61 Yep. If all your secondary items hold a vacuum then its most likely solenoid. Also while you've got the plenum off clean your check valve. If dirt gets in it it will stick open.

06-01-2011	#5
tomtom72 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jacksonville, FL USA Posts: 4,645	Re: ECM Code 61 I just blow thru it to see if anything comes out John. I've had my plenum off a number of times and never had any junk come out of the check valve each time I blew thru it. You can get replacements, even AutoZone has ones that fit but they don't look the same. Tom __________________ 1990 ZR-1, Black/grey, #2233, stock. ZR-1 Net Reg Founding Member #316 & NCM member

06-01-2011	#6
jrd1990zr1 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Delanson, NY Posts: 916	Re: ECM Code 61 Thanks to all, I will pull the plenum next week, I've got a feeling it isn't the solenoid since when I stepped on the pedal the secondaries kicked in momentarily. In thinking about this I almost bet one of the secondary actuator diaphrams has failed. I'll have to check all the components. Thanks again, John __________________ 1968 convertible Lemans Blue, 1986 coupe Medium Blue NCRS Top Flight (sold), 1990 ZR1 #2529 Red NCRS Regional and National Top Flight (sold), 1990 ZR1 #2124 Charcoal Metallic NCRS Top Flight 2010 & 2018, 2003 Anniversary Red Convertible (sold)

06-01-2011	#7
Demps Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Niceville Posts: 998	Re: ECM Code 61 John, Pull and plug, with your finger, the vacuum hose on the passenger side of the plenum (between 4 & 6 runners) If the vacuum pump stops it is the check valve. Buy a $1.50 vacuum check valve and a piece of hose (I used fuel hose) for a temp fix until you can get under the plenum. If the pump still runs after pulling and plugging the hose the problem is a vacuum leak somewhere else. Ted Oh yeah, if it's not obvious, turn the key on (ACC) without starting the car. Last edited by Demps; 06-01-2011 at 11:16 AM.

05-31-2011	#8
rhipsher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston 90 Red ZR-1 Posts: 2,320	Re: ECM Code 61 Even if your secondaries are not operating your Z will still run fine and idle smoothly. It just wont have any balls.

06-01-2011	#9
rhipsher Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston 90 Red ZR-1 Posts: 2,320	Re: ECM Code 61 The check valve should only have flow in one direction. If you give it a BJ and blow air through it with yo lips and you can blow through both ends then the little BB ball inside is stuck. Just spray some WD40 in it and blow it out with compressed air and it will be as good as new. But don't clean it with Acetone. It will melt.