Went to Track.....

[Forzfed]

I started off with 14psi and straight pump gas(94) and went 12.4@109 with the car bucking.  I got a trouble code and it was code 42.  I brought my low milage ECM with me and swapped it out but didn't make a difference.  I turned the boost to 19psi and went 11.5@116mph, pass seemed really clean but just before the end of the 1/4 it started to buck.  So, I think it could have been an 11.2/11.3 run at close to 120mph.

I think my ESC module is flacky, so I'm going to replace it.  I noticed the car started to throw the code when I put in some Autolite race plugs.  So what else should I check?

And I thought my lifter problems were behind me but apparently not, sounds like #2 lifter is really loud and also #1.  So, I guess the motor will be coming apart again but not till next year and I'll throw in a set of Morel lifters and new push rods.

[earlbrown]

that almost sounds more like an ignition module more than the ESC. 

If you KNOW you don't have knock, unplug the knock sensor and take the ESC out of the loop.

[Forzfed]

Yeah, I was kind of thinking ignition module as well.  The coil is fairly new.  I'm going to change the relay next to the pump relay first then try the ign module.

[Steve Wood]

guessing it is not esc module because they are not prone to failure and have nothing to do with a 42 ...if you had a translator T, I would suggest that its timing circuit was causing the problem but?

Check the bypass circuit between the module and ecm

go down to the bottom of the page for the circuit plus reading the trouble shootin  http://www.vortexbuicks-etc.com/code_42.htm

Earl is probably right and its the module

[Jeff]

When I had code 42 it was harness going into module. My didn't Buck but I believe a white wire was loose. I ordered the replacement @clip/harness from campers and problem solved..

[Forzfed]

Thanks for the responses, guys and Steve!  I'll check the wiring.  I'll grab the relay from my other car, if that doesn't change then I'll grab the module and coil and try that.

I figure the car would have probably went low 12's on 14psi and 18' of timing if it was running right.  Not bad for a car that weighs 4050lb with me in it!

[phil_long]

Dude that's hauling some tail.  Great runs

[Forzfed]

So, guess what the problem was?  Come on guess!

Dude that's hauling some tail.  Great runs

Thanks Phil, actually the 14psi run was a 12.39@109mph.  The 60ft wasn't that great.  A good 60ft and a clean run would probably put me at close to 12 flat.

[Forzfed]

Fine, I'll tell you!  It was the ESC module.  Changed it out and car drove really good, no bucking or hesitation.

[Steve Wood]

that is really strange because the ecs module does not have anything to do with a code 42.  Code 42 normally happens when the ignition module is not handing off control of the timing to the ecm.

That can be a real problem because I don't think I have seen an esc module for sale in a long time.

[earlbrown]

That can be a real problem because I don't think I have seen an esc module for sale in a long time.

I don't think I've ever heard of one being bad. Before this one, that is.

[Steve Wood]

Nope, I have not.  It's a passive filter so not much to fail and it's not in the esc line at all with what the ecm determines code 42.   

[Forzfed]

This one had a crack in it, so that is why I suspected it.  I figured I'd try that than move on to the ignition module.