now what?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sylvania Ohio
now what?
I've asked to many questions already, But I need help still. I got the 86 that just quit running while going down the road.QUIT, NOTHING, NOTTA, ETC. Everybody said to check if the SES light came on. It does not. Everyone said to suspect the ECM. And wiring around it, loose chip, etc. You guys even had info. as to how and find, and remove it. (it is easier to remove the front seat) lay on the floor and there it is. I unbolted it, pulled it down (man what a gob of wires) nothing is loose, plugs the PROM, etc. NOW WHAT, I'm getting frustrated. I'm not a stupid person, but I'm feeling like this is getting the better of me. I need help, What should I try, or am I doomed to having it towed to the dealer in my area. Anybody near Toledo,OH.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Stuttgart
I noticed on your other post you said the engine runs when you inject starter fluid into it. Most of the posts seem to be pointing you to the ECM. I am curious (and I did not search all your posts) if you have looked at a possible fuel pump problem? It seems fuel related since you can get her running when substituting fuel with starter fluid. Just a thought...plus it bumps this thread back to the top.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
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From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Did you open the ecm to see if the chip or anything inside is loose?
I guess if the car is not running you can't tap on the ecm to see if it stumbles or stalls. Did you try banging the ecm a few times from different sides and try restarting it each time?
Sorry I can't offer something new.
Usually it's either spark or fuel. You know you have fuel to the rail, you know you have spark. The only thing left is the injectors which don't all stop at the same time unless they stop getting a signal from the computer or it's a wiring problem.
Sounds like your ECM crapped out on you or you have a problem with the wiring between the ecm and the injectors.
I would try swapping the ecm to see if it works. If it turns out not to be the problem you can always take it back.
If you swap the ecm don't forget to swap the chip from your old ecm into the new one.
Did you put a meter on the injectors when you turn it over to see if they are getting power?
I guess if the car is not running you can't tap on the ecm to see if it stumbles or stalls. Did you try banging the ecm a few times from different sides and try restarting it each time?
Sorry I can't offer something new.
Usually it's either spark or fuel. You know you have fuel to the rail, you know you have spark. The only thing left is the injectors which don't all stop at the same time unless they stop getting a signal from the computer or it's a wiring problem.
Sounds like your ECM crapped out on you or you have a problem with the wiring between the ecm and the injectors.
I would try swapping the ecm to see if it works. If it turns out not to be the problem you can always take it back.
If you swap the ecm don't forget to swap the chip from your old ecm into the new one.
Did you put a meter on the injectors when you turn it over to see if they are getting power?
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sylvania Ohio
I'm getting closer. I've put power to the orange wires on the plug for the ECM. The SES light came on. AND IT RUNS. But, how do I make a permanent fix? Somewhere from the battery to the ECM there is a fusible link. I suspect that is the problem. Or somewhere from the battery to the ECM there is a open in the wire. Would it hurt to cut the 2 orange wires near the ECM plugs and splice them together and to a hot line to a cont. hot line that goes to the fuse panel? And if I do should I fuse it? And if so what size fuse? AND TO ALL OF YOU GUYS THAT MADE ME THINK, AND USE THE BRAIN THAT I HAVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND MAY THERE COME A DAY THAT I CAN RETURN THE FAVOR. AGAIN THANKS TO EVERYONE
Matt
Matt
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Joined: Feb 2004
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I'm getting closer. I've put power to the orange wires on the plug for the ECM. The SES light came on. AND IT RUNS. But, how do I make a permanent fix? Somewhere from the battery to the ECM there is a fusible link. I suspect that is the problem. Or somewhere from the battery to the ECM there is a open in the wire. Would it hurt to cut the 2 orange wires near the ECM plugs and splice them together and to a hot line to a cont. hot line that goes to the fuse panel? And if I do should I fuse it? And if so what size fuse? AND TO ALL OF YOU GUYS THAT MADE ME THINK, AND USE THE BRAIN THAT I HAVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND MAY THERE COME A DAY THAT I CAN RETURN THE FAVOR. AGAIN THANKS TO EVERYONE
Matt
Matt
There are a clump of fuse links behind the battery. I do not know if the one you are looking for is there, but it may be. I would recommend picking up a new or used Helms manual for your year. They pay for themselves quickly. They contain so much detail, it is unbelievable.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,638
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Matt,
I have the helms for an 86 - along with the electrical suplement - if need be I can fax some pages somewhere. I can't scan it till tommorrow - but I can fax anytime. I will pm you or e-mail you (depending on whats available in your profile) my home phone - let me know if I can help out!
Carl Johansson - oh yah I'm 3 hours ealier than you - pacific time
I have the helms for an 86 - along with the electrical suplement - if need be I can fax some pages somewhere. I can't scan it till tommorrow - but I can fax anytime. I will pm you or e-mail you (depending on whats available in your profile) my home phone - let me know if I can help out!
Carl Johansson - oh yah I'm 3 hours ealier than you - pacific time
I'm getting closer. I've put power to the orange wires on the plug for the ECM. The SES light came on. AND IT RUNS. But, how do I make a permanent fix? Somewhere from the battery to the ECM there is a fusible link. I suspect that is the problem. Or somewhere from the battery to the ECM there is a open in the wire. Would it hurt to cut the 2 orange wires near the ECM plugs and splice them together and to a hot line to a cont. hot line that goes to the fuse panel? And if I do should I fuse it? And if so what size fuse? AND TO ALL OF YOU GUYS THAT MADE ME THINK, AND USE THE BRAIN THAT I HAVE, THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND MAY THERE COME A DAY THAT I CAN RETURN THE FAVOR. AGAIN THANKS TO EVERYONE
Matt
Matt
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sylvania Ohio
Carl, and others,
I pulled out the battery and wires just fell off. One of the wires goes to the ECM. There is the always hot wire to it. Another wire appears to go to a plug in the harness that goes somewhere to the front of the engine.It looks like 2 wires that are connecteded to each other. I just don't know if there were any fusible links that are missing. The positive battery cable appears to have 3 wires coming from it 1 to the starter, 2nd. one to the ECM, and the 3rd. that goes to a 2 prong plug. I hope that is right, I'm gonna hook them up. If anyone knows any diff. please let me know.
I pulled out the battery and wires just fell off. One of the wires goes to the ECM. There is the always hot wire to it. Another wire appears to go to a plug in the harness that goes somewhere to the front of the engine.It looks like 2 wires that are connecteded to each other. I just don't know if there were any fusible links that are missing. The positive battery cable appears to have 3 wires coming from it 1 to the starter, 2nd. one to the ECM, and the 3rd. that goes to a 2 prong plug. I hope that is right, I'm gonna hook them up. If anyone knows any diff. please let me know.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sylvania Ohio
Carl,
I got the Helms, and the sup. It just has so many damn pages. I've found most of the stuff I needed from that, but you guys make me think. I'm a elec. eng. and I don't want to use my brain if I don't have too.
Thanks,
Matt
I got the Helms, and the sup. It just has so many damn pages. I've found most of the stuff I needed from that, but you guys make me think. I'm a elec. eng. and I don't want to use my brain if I don't have too.
Thanks,
Matt
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Sylvania Ohio
TO Everyone that helped,
Thank you all so very much,Today I got the car back together. IT RUNS, and RUNS WELL. The problem was right beside the battery. The wires that run off the Positive side of the battery got all funky with battery acid and other nasty stuff. The small wires that run off the pos. cable were also pinched in the battery area. That didn't cause a prob. but It didn't let the wires move when they needed to. So, they just flexed up and down till they broke. It's all fixed, and I am happy again.
THANK YOU ALL,
Matt
Thank you all so very much,Today I got the car back together. IT RUNS, and RUNS WELL. The problem was right beside the battery. The wires that run off the Positive side of the battery got all funky with battery acid and other nasty stuff. The small wires that run off the pos. cable were also pinched in the battery area. That didn't cause a prob. but It didn't let the wires move when they needed to. So, they just flexed up and down till they broke. It's all fixed, and I am happy again.
THANK YOU ALL,
Matt
