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ECM Power

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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 07:14 AM
  #1  
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Default ECM Power

I am not one to track down power related issues on any vehicles, but I am the last stop for this car. I did some probing last night and discovered on the fuse panel the ECM is not getting any power. Took the fuse out and did a light test on the power side of the fuse, both with key on and off.

Can someone point me to a good wiring diagram so track the power source for the ECM?

Can I jump power from another line to the ECM just to see if it will fire up?

Thank you in advance.
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by newbie2vette
I am not one to track down power related issues on any vehicles, but I am the last stop for this car. I did some probing last night and discovered on the fuse panel the ECM is not getting any power. Took the fuse out and did a light test on the power side of the fuse, both with key on and off.

Can someone point me to a good wiring diagram so track the power source for the ECM?

Can I jump power from another line to the ECM just to see if it will fire up?

Thank you in advance.
You will have better luck if you give us a hint what year car it is, someone may be kind enough to post it for you. Aside from that my best suggestion would be to buy the correct Factory Service Manual for your year.
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 07:56 PM
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My apologies, it is 1989 corvette with 6 speed trans, small block 350. I do have service manual for the car but it is not useful.
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Old Sep 13, 2013 | 08:51 PM
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http://www.chevythunder.com/198689_f...dy_1227165.htm
pnk/blk is hot when key on pin A6. Orange pin B1 is constant hot for memory.

Last edited by MrWillys; Sep 13, 2013 at 08:53 PM.
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 10:44 AM
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The ECM gets its power directly from the battery through a fusible link. It's the smaller wire attached to the positive battery terminal.

The other power input is from the ignition switch. This isn't really a "power" input -- it just tells the ECM when the ignition is on or off.
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Old Sep 14, 2013 | 11:37 AM
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Fuse is on a Buss with the Pass Key and Injector Fuses so they should be dead too (or the buss is broken), or you have an ignition issue or the Fusible Link that feeds the Ignition is open. That link also feeds 7 non-ignition Circuits: Theft, Brake, LCD, Stop/Hazard, Pwy Acc, Hatch & Defogger (the latter three are Circuit Breakers). The only other cause is a dead battery. Service Manual Power Distribution is shown at the beginning of Section 8A; ECM Pinouts and functions are in 6E.
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Old Oct 3, 2013 | 02:45 PM
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Originally Posted by MrWillys
http://www.chevythunder.com/198689_f...dy_1227165.htm
pnk/blk is hot when key on pin A6. Orange pin B1 is constant hot for memory.
In desperata mode now, this car is taking much of my time and space. Check all the wires from the batt to the steering column, since it is tight under and replacing the ignition switch is easier, I replaced that. Need help locating the elcetric spark control module (ESC). Thank you.
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Old Oct 3, 2013 | 03:16 PM
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...sc-module.html
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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 08:35 PM
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Finally got power going to the ECM, which makes me think I need a new ECM in order to fix this car. Got a new one, plugged it in. Nothing still no spark to the plugs. I sure could use some help here. Could a bad ground cause this? If so where to start which ground wire to clean? I was using the sear frame on the passenger side as ground to do a fuse check, got good ground from the frame because I was able to complete the fuse check.
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Old Oct 10, 2013 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by newbie2vette
Nothing still no spark to the plugs. I sure could use some help here. Could a bad ground cause this?
Have you done the basic " no spark " tests to confirm all those components are operational before blaming the ECM ?
Like 12v at the coil with key on?
ICM good?
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Old Oct 11, 2013 | 12:34 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by newbie2vette
Finally got power going to the ECM, which makes me think I need a new ECM in order to fix this car. Got a new one, plugged it in. Nothing still no spark to the plugs. I sure could use some help here. Could a bad ground cause this? If so where to start which ground wire to clean? I was using the sear frame on the passenger side as ground to do a fuse check, got good ground from the frame because I was able to complete the fuse check.
Disconnect the EST connector (tan wire with black stripe -- under the windshield wiper motor). That removes the ECM from the ignition circuit and everything happens inside the distributor.

Now you need to make sure you have ignition power at the distributor (pink wire). The pickup coil, ignition module and high voltage coil are what are now creating the spark. It is possible to have problems with the connections inside the distributor cap. Mainly that would be the high voltage coil ground and the connection from the coil to the rotor. I have heard several cases of the pickup coil breaking into pieces. Use a DVM to measure the resistance to verify that it is OK.

Last edited by Cliff Harris; Oct 11, 2013 at 12:40 AM.
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Old Oct 13, 2013 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz
Have you done the basic " no spark " tests to confirm all those components are operational before blaming the ECM ?
Like 12v at the coil with key on?
ICM good?
When I received the car, I did a power check (fuse) and discovered the ECM was not getting any power. Did all the check from batt, fusable links and other wires leading to the ECM. The one thing I was not able to get easily was the ignition switch on the steering column, it was easier just to replace it (17.00) than trying to read the wires. I replaced it, the power to the ECM was back.

Hence I thought that was it.

The initial check I did on the dist parts was the Iginition Module. Took it to Autozone, it was hooked up to their check machine for test. It checked out good. Now I must admit I have not verified the power going to the coil. I guess I am relying on the three garages that worked on this car before me they did the check. Since it is in my hands now I need to verify and eliminate that as a possibility. Thank you.
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