Remove computer from 1981
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 21
Remove computer from 1981
Ok, that's it, the ECU is coming out of this car. I bought the car not knowing about it and wanted something not computer controlled. The ECU I have works, but if it gets jiggled the timing goes nuts and the car dies. I took the ECU apart and cleaned up the connections a bit and it works better, but I can still move the ECU around and get issues. I ordered a remanufactured ECU from Orileys and got it yesterday. I moved the chip over to the new ECU and now the check engine light blinks super fast as well a super fast relay clicking under the hood. I moved the chip back to the old ECU and it still works there (chip is good). When the new ECU is connected without the chip I still hear the fast clicking. When the old ECU is connected without the chip I don't hear clicking. This leads me to believe the new ECU is bad.
Video with new ECU with chip in
So, after all that, I'm done with the ECU. I know I need to replace the carb and distributor and I really don't care about torque converter lockup, never take it on long trips and don't care about mpg. So, I think I have a few options with the carb.
1.) Quadrajet with no computer control (same intake manifold)
2.) Edlebrock or Holley 650ish (do I need a new intake manifold?)
What sort of vacuum distributor should I get?
Video with new ECU with chip in
So, after all that, I'm done with the ECU. I know I need to replace the carb and distributor and I really don't care about torque converter lockup, never take it on long trips and don't care about mpg. So, I think I have a few options with the carb.
1.) Quadrajet with no computer control (same intake manifold)
2.) Edlebrock or Holley 650ish (do I need a new intake manifold?)
What sort of vacuum distributor should I get?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Ok, that's it, the ECU is coming out of this car. I bought the car not knowing about it and wanted something not computer controlled. The ECU I have works, but if it gets jiggled the timing goes nuts and the car dies. I took the ECU apart and cleaned up the connections a bit and it works better, but I can still move the ECU around and get issues. I ordered a remanufactured ECU from Orileys and got it yesterday. I moved the chip over to the new ECU and now the check engine light blinks super fast as well a super fast relay clicking under the hood. I moved the chip back to the old ECU and it still works there (chip is good). When the new ECU is connected without the chip I still hear the fast clicking. When the old ECU is connected without the chip I don't hear clicking. This leads me to believe the new ECU is bad.
Video with new ECU with chip in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9IJfg7kM-Q
So, after all that, I'm done with the ECU. I know I need to replace the carb and distributor and I really don't care about torque converter lockup, never take it on long trips and don't care about mpg. So, I think I have a few options with the carb.
1.) Quadrajet with no computer control (same intake manifold)
2.) Edlebrock or Holley 650ish (do I need a new intake manifold?)
What sort of vacuum distributor should I get?
Video with new ECU with chip in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9IJfg7kM-Q
So, after all that, I'm done with the ECU. I know I need to replace the carb and distributor and I really don't care about torque converter lockup, never take it on long trips and don't care about mpg. So, I think I have a few options with the carb.
1.) Quadrajet with no computer control (same intake manifold)
2.) Edlebrock or Holley 650ish (do I need a new intake manifold?)
What sort of vacuum distributor should I get?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
I would first try to get a new ecu .if that fixes everything that would be the cheapest way .But if you want to change over to non carb control.then call speedway for a disributer.That is easy plug and play.a performer intake .with a edlbrock carb.http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedw...utor,1688.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The ticking you hear is most likely the mixture control solenoid in the carb. The check engine light, key on, not running should be steady on. That reman ecm is having issues.
How is the ecm getting "jiggled"? If the timing is going crazy, I'd take a look at both the distributor connector and the knock sensor. You didn't state that you had gotten any codes prior to the ecm swap. It won't be as easy, but tracking down the ECM issues may be cheaper than throwing pars at it.
How is the ecm getting "jiggled"? If the timing is going crazy, I'd take a look at both the distributor connector and the knock sensor. You didn't state that you had gotten any codes prior to the ecm swap. It won't be as easy, but tracking down the ECM issues may be cheaper than throwing pars at it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You might try pulling the connector and cleaning the pins and terminals at the Ecm before doing anything. It's common for them to corrode (especially if the car has bad weatherstrips) and once they do you get intermittent issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 21
I did that and it did make a difference, I think the plugs themselves are also corroded a bit, not sure how to clean them. Just super disappointing that the reman ecu is bad.
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