Inventions to cool ECM
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 245
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From: Catawissa Pa
Inventions to cool ECM
Has anyone invented something to cool the ECM. ( besides the ice pack treatment) I don`t want to cut anything on the body. I was toying with the idea of running some sort of ductwork from the wheel well to the ECM to supply cool air from outside of the engine compartment. Perhaps I could use something like tail pipe stock, or alumnium cloths drier vent pipe.
I also considered a small electric fan.
I have a hard start problem when the ECM gets hot. As soon as it cools off the car fires right up and runs fine. I checked the fuel pressuer and that`s all good. This car starts fine all winter long, as soon as the outside tempature gets to around 90 F my problems start.
It`s a 1992 the only code I get is ECM data communications lost.
I also considered a small electric fan.
I have a hard start problem when the ECM gets hot. As soon as it cools off the car fires right up and runs fine. I checked the fuel pressuer and that`s all good. This car starts fine all winter long, as soon as the outside tempature gets to around 90 F my problems start.
It`s a 1992 the only code I get is ECM data communications lost.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 176
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From: Pasadena MD
I don't think its you ecm allot of guys have this problem but its due to the injectors going bad my car dose this to when the car is cold all my injectors are in spec when it gets hot 3 of them are not in spec when it gets hot try pushing the gas all the way to the floor when you start the car and see if that helps you start the.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 14
From: Cumming Ga
I don't think its you ecm allot of guys have this problem but its due to the injectors going bad my car dose this to when the car is cold all my injectors are in spec when it gets hot 3 of them are not in spec when it gets hot try pushing the gas all the way to the floor when you start the car and see if that helps you start the.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,816
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From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O
I been thinkin' VERY VERY VERY seriously on that since I [correctly
] diagnosed my toasted PCM.
It is mounted in an easy spot, but heat rises, and stays in the top of the engine compartment, right where the PCM is.
I have an in-dash fan that I could hack, but I don't think that will keep enough cool.
Fender liner grilling/venting, or something... I'm on it...
] diagnosed my toasted PCM.It is mounted in an easy spot, but heat rises, and stays in the top of the engine compartment, right where the PCM is.
I have an in-dash fan that I could hack, but I don't think that will keep enough cool.
Fender liner grilling/venting, or something... I'm on it...
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Kingston Springs Tn
I been thinkin' VERY VERY VERY seriously on that since I [correctly ] diagnosed my toasted PCM.
It is mounted in an easy spot, but heat rises, and stays in the top of the engine compartment, right where the PCM is.
I have an in-dash fan that I could hack, but I don't think that will keep enough cool.
Fender liner grilling/venting, or something... I'm on it...
] diagnosed my toasted PCM.It is mounted in an easy spot, but heat rises, and stays in the top of the engine compartment, right where the PCM is.
I have an in-dash fan that I could hack, but I don't think that will keep enough cool.
Fender liner grilling/venting, or something... I'm on it...
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
From: BC
Keeping my eyes on this one for a friend here in the UK - he's running an underhood ECM and gets a very rough running car when the temp gets up... Lifts the hood for a couple of minuites and it restarts fine. Lifting the hood works every time...
Sounds like this might be something that the later C4's might start suffering from?
Schrade - do you have aftermarket Headers?
Sounds like this might be something that the later C4's might start suffering from?
Schrade - do you have aftermarket Headers?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
The best way to cool it more than it already is would be to fin it. If you were to replace the factory top of the case with flat aluminum you could then cover it with large heat sinks and even put little fans on them. The large heat sinks would work in every situation, add little weight, require no new wires, and draw no power. If you look at the case on the later LT1s you will see a difference in both shape and material.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 0
From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O
Keeping my eyes on this one for a friend here in the UK - he's running an underhood ECM and gets a very rough running car when the temp gets up... Lifts the hood for a couple of minuites and it restarts fine. Lifting the hood works every time...
Sounds like this might be something that the later C4's might start suffering from?
Schrade - do you have aftermarket Headers?
Sounds like this might be something that the later C4's might start suffering from?
Schrade - do you have aftermarket Headers?
Very good question for others to consider...
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
Just a quick thought, high pressure at the cowl would be simple for airflow while moving. But water may be an issue! How about drilling a hole in the computer case and sealing a tube on, then directing that tube into airflow without water. The best would probably be a fan on the case somewhere.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
why,daddy,why ???
my lt1 buick roadmasher carries it's brain immediately behind the left headlight...obviously would have been cheaper to mount nearer the firewall like vettes, plenty of empty space there on the ick, crash damage potential high with chin lead...hothead problem fix maybe ???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 4
From: Windham, NH
My thoughts were to somehow extend the harness, make it pass thru the firewall and mount the computer on top of the lower "hush panel" on the driver's side of the interior. It HAS to be cooler there!!!!!
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 176
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From: Pasadena MD
I have new injectors they came Monday just need to put them in but thanks.
i would like to test this theory.. Since you have a LT1 is a simple job to swap injectors.. Let me send you a set of Bosch 3's.. If it solves the problem, buy them if not send them back. Also it could help other guys here also that are wasting money on ECM replacement. Let me know if you want to try it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Is that really the problem? Our ambient temp around Phoenix is from 110* and 119* And I have never had a problem with the ECM getting too hot. Your problem lies elsewhere.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,816
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From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O
Underhood temps will be just as hot in 99' weather, as in 116' degree weather, all other factors being equal...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Then in 6 years, why have I never had this problem, doing 120+ mph uphill on a 115* day? These cars were made for high speeds and high temps. My oil temps may rise, but the ECM has no problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,816
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From: :45 minutes from everywhere / E-I-E-I-O
Mine did. And they [Blue Streak] could probably answer your question better, about how heat affects PCM's. Because they found the same damage in my PCM that I found in my PCM. Not the same WAY as I did, but the same damage none-the-less.
Give them a call; talk to Jackie or Hollie.
http://www.bsecorp.com/locations.php <--- #s there
And I think a couple of other members' PCM's have heat-related failures. But I've not done diagnostics on theirs as I have to mine.