C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

ecm upgrade nightmare

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-08-2013, 09:33 PM
  #1  
Midnight 85
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
 
Midnight 85's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Hellinois
Posts: 5,866
Received 53 Likes on 31 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

Default ecm upgrade nightmare

As some of you may remember I have done the ecm upgrade on my '85. I have been fighting small issues ever since doing it because of wire color mistakes in my fsm. I have most of them figured out but there are a few that just won't allow me to find them. To avoid confusion I am only going to ask about one at a time. When I use the stock memcal by itself the cooling fan does not come on until the ecm triggered it. When I put the piggyback in with the custom tune on it the fan comes on as soon as I fire the engine. Can anybody tell me what can be done to fix this? It did not do this at first but I have been tracing & moving wires so I have something in the wrong place.
Old 06-09-2013, 04:29 AM
  #2  
Cliff Harris
Race Director
 
Cliff Harris's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2002
Location: Anaheim CA
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 0
Received 341 Likes on 312 Posts

Default

Which ECM did you use?

I've seen references to ECM swaps that list exactly which wires need to swapped, so the info is out there.
Old 06-09-2013, 07:16 AM
  #3  
Midnight 85
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
 
Midnight 85's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Hellinois
Posts: 5,866
Received 53 Likes on 31 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

Default

I upped to the 165 ecm and yes there are gobs of repin instructions out there but none of those instructions cover wire colors that are not what the FSM says they are supposed to be. I verified my harness with one at Vette2Vette and both of them were identical but not what the fsm calls for. I have a gray wire that is supposed to be green/white, I have at least 3 others that are not according to fsm. Add to that the fact there is more than one of many colors just in the ecm wiring alone then add the fact that when it comes to wiring I am not the sharpest saw in the shed and you have the makings for a futch up.
Old 06-09-2013, 08:31 AM
  #4  
C409
Le Mans Master
 
C409's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: Clearwater Florida
Posts: 6,005
Received 490 Likes on 334 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Midnight 85
As some of you may remember I have done the ecm upgrade on my '85. I have been fighting small issues ever since doing it because of wire color mistakes in my fsm. I have most of them figured out but there are a few that just won't allow me to find them. To avoid confusion I am only going to ask about one at a time. When I use the stock memcal by itself the cooling fan does not come on until the ecm triggered it. When I put the piggyback in with the custom tune on it the fan comes on as soon as I fire the engine. Can anybody tell me what can be done to fix this? It did not do this at first but I have been tracing & moving wires so I have something in the wrong place.
... Make sure that the piggyback is on correctly ... both chips ... the OEM has to be lined up with the notches in the original location ... there is a positioning index on the removable chip with the tune ... and both have to be in the correct pin location on the adapter ...........
Old 06-09-2013, 10:08 AM
  #5  
AGENT 86
Race Director
 
AGENT 86's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2003
Location: Summerland B.C. Canada
Posts: 19,667
Likes: 0
Received 36 Likes on 32 Posts

Default




Fan on with key on could be an ECM trouble code that puts the ECM into limp mode.
Any stored codes now ?
Old 06-09-2013, 11:38 AM
  #6  
tequilaboy
Melting Slicks
 
tequilaboy's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: Lakeville MI
Posts: 3,016
Received 255 Likes on 213 Posts

Default

The converted 85 Corvettes that I have dealt with have required that the N.0. Cooling fan Req input flag be set to allow normal fan operation due to AC high pressure switch input. See Bit 5 below.

Just like with f-bodies, the switches seem to vary (with some being N.0. and others N.C.) in certain year cars. 85 Corvettes seem to be N.0. so they need to flag to be set, unlike 86-89 Corvettes which typically need the flag to be cleared.

Check this setting in your bins first and invert if necessary.

Don't know what mask or bin you are using as a base. Here is an example from a typical $32B bin.

LC017: FCB $08 ; 0000 0000 4th AIR FUEL MODE WORD
; Bit 0 = Use LV8 for BLM not dispflow
; 1 = not used
; 2 = 4th Gear Hwy Mode Spark Adv check enabled
; 3 = If CCP Chg, force Int to 128
;
; 4 = TCC locked Hwy Mode Spark Check enable
; 5 = N.O. Cooling Fan Req input
; 6 = Pwr Steer Pressure Sw installed
; 7 = Use TCC out to Cnt'l A/C Clutch
Old 06-09-2013, 07:29 PM
  #7  
Midnight 85
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
 
Midnight 85's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Hellinois
Posts: 5,866
Received 53 Likes on 31 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

Default

Originally Posted by AGENT 86



Fan on with key on could be an ECM trouble code that puts the ECM into limp mode.
Any stored codes now ?
That is the baffler Dan, the fan does not come on when I switch the key on, it comes on when the engine actually starts. That's why I am almost positive I have two like colored wires crossed in the pin positions. Something that is supposed to be powering something on the engine is sending the power to than fan instead.

Originally Posted by tequilaboy
The converted 85 Corvettes that I have dealt with have required that the N.0. Cooling fan Req input flag be set to allow normal fan operation due to AC high pressure switch input. See Bit 5 below.

Just like with f-bodies, the switches seem to vary (with some being N.0. and others N.C.) in certain year cars. 85 Corvettes seem to be N.0. so they need to flag to be set, unlike 86-89 Corvettes which typically need the flag to be cleared.

Check this setting in your bins first and invert if necessary.

Don't know what mask or bin you are using as a base. Here is an example from a typical $32B bin.

LC017: FCB $08 ; 0000 0000 4th AIR FUEL MODE WORD
; Bit 0 = Use LV8 for BLM not dispflow
; 1 = not used
; 2 = 4th Gear Hwy Mode Spark Adv check enabled
; 3 = If CCP Chg, force Int to 128
;
; 4 = TCC locked Hwy Mode Spark Check enable
; 5 = N.O. Cooling Fan Req input
; 6 = Pwr Steer Pressure Sw installed
; 7 = Use TCC out to Cnt'l A/C Clutch
I appreciate this info but I am going to have to pass it on to a friend who knows what you have written. To me it might as well be written in a foreign language. I will pass this on though and hope for the best.
The biggest thing is that this tune that I have did not do this when I first got it so there again, it almost has to be something I have done.
Thanks so much for the info, both of you.
Old 06-09-2013, 09:37 PM
  #8  
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
 
coupeguy2001's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 6,043
Received 144 Likes on 106 Posts
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist

Default

I have a chip that did that. I removed it and installed one out of an 87 corvette. Don't know if anything is better, but the engine runs fine the way I have it .
I think it is a PCM chips for less. I don't have it handy right now, but it didn't work with the stock wiring without any changes at all. Remember the stock 86 chip you borrowed? stick it back in and see what happens.

Last edited by coupeguy2001; 06-09-2013 at 09:41 PM.
Old 06-09-2013, 11:07 PM
  #9  
tequilaboy
Melting Slicks
 
tequilaboy's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2003
Location: Lakeville MI
Posts: 3,016
Received 255 Likes on 213 Posts

Default

Attempt to clarify my previous post:

Pin D11 is the A/C high pressure switch input to the 165 ecm. The physical switch is either Normally Open (N.O.), or Normally Closed (N.C.) when the AC system is at low pressure.

The flag/switch setting in the bin must match the switch that's in the car.

86-89 Corvettes typically have a Normally Closed switch, so bit 5 should be unchecked (or set to 0) in the bin.

85 Corvettes and some F-bodies, instead have a Normally Open switch, so bit 5 should be checked (or set to 1) in the bin.

I'm assuming that your 85 has a normally open AC high pressure switch, and your bin is expecting a normally closed AC high pressure switch.

Check pin D11 continuity to ground to determine if the switch is either open or closed (and grounded) in its natural state.

If it is open and properly wired (connected to the AC high pressure switch), you will need to set bit 5 in your bin to correct.

As a simple test without making programming changes, you can ground pin D11 to see if the fan will behave as expected (this will simulate a normally closed switch configuration which we assume will match your current bin setting).

If you are working with a tuner that provided your custom tune, they should understand what to do. If you're tuning yourself, hopefully this is clear enough.
Old 06-09-2013, 11:35 PM
  #10  
Midnight 85
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
 
Midnight 85's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Hellinois
Posts: 5,866
Received 53 Likes on 31 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

Default

Originally Posted by coupeguy2001
I have a chip that did that. I removed it and installed one out of an 87 corvette. Don't know if anything is better, but the engine runs fine the way I have it .
I think it is a PCM chips for less. I don't have it handy right now, but it didn't work with the stock wiring without any changes at all. Remember the stock 86 chip you borrowed? stick it back in and see what happens.
Hmmmm, very interesting, guess who I got my chip from? And now that you mention it, I have a stock '88 chip that if I recall correctly did not run the fan until it was supposed to. I also have a bad hesitation with the tune but the engine revs beautifully with just the stock chip. Thanks for posting, it may solve my issues.

Originally Posted by tequilaboy
Attempt to clarify my previous post:

Pin D11 is the A/C high pressure switch input to the 165 ecm. The physical switch is either Normally Open (N.O.), or Normally Closed (N.C.) when the AC system is at low pressure.

The flag/switch setting in the bin must match the switch that's in the car.

86-89 Corvettes typically have a Normally Closed switch, so bit 5 should be unchecked (or set to 0) in the bin.

85 Corvettes and some F-bodies, instead have a Normally Open switch, so bit 5 should be checked (or set to 1) in the bin.

I'm assuming that your 85 has a normally open AC high pressure switch, and your bin is expecting a normally closed AC high pressure switch.

Check pin D11 continuity to ground to determine if the switch is either open or closed (and grounded) in its natural state.

If it is open and properly wired (connected to the AC high pressure switch), you will need to set bit 5 in your bin to correct.

As a simple test without making programming changes, you can ground pin D11 to see if the fan will behave as expected (this will simulate a normally closed switch configuration which we assume will match your current bin setting).

If you are working with a tuner that provided your custom tune, they should understand what to do. If you're tuning yourself, hopefully this is clear enough.
Thanks for taking the time to explain, I will certainly try what you suggest but if I put the stock chip back in like coupeguy suggested and it cures the problem then I know I have no problems with the car itself. I have no doubt that Alvin will correct anything that may be wrong with the tune.
Old 06-10-2013, 07:47 PM
  #11  
Midnight 85
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
 
Midnight 85's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Hellinois
Posts: 5,866
Received 53 Likes on 31 Posts
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified

Default

A BIG thank you to tequilaboy and coupeguy2001 for your answers, you were both right. I did have two wires switched and one of them is gray but the fsm insists it is green/white. Anyway, I straightened those out and the fan shut off, the rich idle went away and the car runs like it should now. Then I decided to pop the custom tune in, the fan came on and the stumble/hesitation was back. So tequilaboy pointed me in the direction of what wires were amiss and coupeguy revealed he had a chip that does the same thing mine does. Anybody want to buy a worthless, custom tune?
Old 06-12-2013, 05:00 PM
  #12  
coupeguy2001
Le Mans Master
 
coupeguy2001's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2006
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 6,043
Received 144 Likes on 106 Posts
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist

Default

I have another one that can be bought as well, but mine is VALUABLE!!!!!

Get notified of new replies

To ecm upgrade nightmare




Quick Reply: ecm upgrade nightmare



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:12 AM.