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

1985 ECM Repair???

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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 01:46 PM
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Default 1985 ECM Repair???

I took my ECM out my 1985 coupe because i cant read my codes for sum reason, so i was wondering if there is any place i can send it in to get it tested to see if it is operating properly.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 01:57 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokeecorvette
I took my ECM out my 1985 coupe because i cant read my codes for sum reason, so i was wondering if there is any place i can send it in to get it tested to see if it is operating properly.
I would be checking your connections at the ALDL first. There are all kinds of reasons why you may not be able to read the codes. What is the car not doing or doing that made you need the codes in the first place?
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 02:22 PM
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The Car tries to die after like 10 secs of running like it is flooding out or sumtin. The check engine light is on but i cant read the codes. ( it never blinks)
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokeecorvette
The Car tries to die after like 10 secs of running like it is flooding out or sumtin. The check engine light is on but i cant read the codes. ( it never blinks)
What are you doing to get them? There are several component tests you need to do before sending that thing off. Starting with the MAP sensor. I have seen them cause this due to diaphram leaking. I would also take a serious look at your exhaust. A clogged catalytic converter or muffler will do this as well.

Put a vacuum gauge on it, and see if the vacuum starts dropping from the time of startup.

Last edited by BluRay; Dec 26, 2008 at 02:29 PM.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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Wait? Did the 85's even have an external code retrieval ability? Not to sure about that one. Somebody here has to own one or know.
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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Ive ask ppl on here and they say that there are retriveable codes
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Old Dec 26, 2008 | 11:59 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokeecorvette
Ive ask ppl on here and they say that there are retriveable codes

Okay well this isn't even a stretch really. When you turn the key on does the engine light come on for two seconds and then go off after the codes have been cleared?

The fact that you cannot get the code cycle may be a real indicator of the issue. Take an ohmmeter and check the signal ground at the ALDL it should have very little resistance.



Did you ever get to put a vacuum gauge on it? A steady drop in vacuum before and as it starts to stall is a good indicator that the exhaust has a clog.

Do you have a hand operated vacuum pump?

Last edited by BluRay; Dec 27, 2008 at 12:02 AM.
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 02:06 AM
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Originally Posted by cherokeecorvette
I took my ECM out my 1985 coupe because i cant read my codes for sum reason, so i was wondering if there is any place i can send it in to get it tested to see if it is operating properly.
Make sure your attempting to check your codes correctly. You should get some type of flashing even if you have no stored codes. You may want to try to pick up a OBD1 code reader to see it that works instead. You may also want to clean the ECM connectors first to ensure there is not a connection problem...or hook it all back up and tap on the unit with the back of a screw driver handle while the car running (if you can keep it running long enough). Rather than sending the ECM out for testing it might be cheaper to just replace it.....giving them your old questionable unit as a core exchange.
Your car runing for 10 seconds then dieing sounds like a fuel related issue to me. Most fuel problems on these C4 cars will not send a "trouble code". Pick up a fuel rail pressure gage...use it and see what is going on there.
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 02:54 PM
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I agree w/the others...the ECM's rarely go bad on these things....I have an 85; no problems with the ECM...
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 04:19 PM
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I have put a fuel gauge on the fuel rail and it read 36 wit key on and 30 wen it is running (for 5- to 10 secs, unless i give it gas) where do i put the vaccum gauge at???
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 04:21 PM
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Also When i looked under the dash by all the wiring there was a black wire hanging, i looked on all the plugs and found 1 that has one missing but i dnt see where the other end of the wire goes.

With the wire being black i assume it is a ground???
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 04:25 PM
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But Im not 100% sure where that black wire even goes, so i havnt even messed with it.
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 04:30 PM
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Ive Taken it to the Local repair man and he has a scanner and he said his machine couldnt read the computer for sum reason.

I also Think it sounds fuel related but i need to start wit the problem with the codes not reading first because if there is sumtin wrong wit it The ECM it could send all Sorts of Faulty signals
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Old Dec 27, 2008 | 04:46 PM
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You need to start by getting a FSM if you want to figure out why it is not reading and what that wire goes to. I suspect it is a ground.You might try finding a different ground (pin "A" of the ALDL) and connecting it to pin"B" to read your codes.Quit guessing if you have fuel pressure as you said it is not fuel related.

http://www.corvettebuyers.com/c4vettes/ecm.htm

http://www.carcraft.com/techfaq/116_...t/sensors.html

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...cm-repair.html
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 10:00 PM
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I ohmd the ground it had a lil resistance.
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by BluRay
What are you doing to get them? There are several component tests you need to do before sending that thing off. Starting with the MAP sensor. I have seen them cause this due to diaphram leaking. I would also take a serious look at your exhaust. A clogged catalytic converter or muffler will do this as well.

Put a vacuum gauge on it, and see if the vacuum starts dropping from the time of startup.
'85 was MAF not MAP. He has the old '870 ECM..

-- Joe
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Old Dec 29, 2008 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokeecorvette
I took my ECM out my 1985 coupe because i cant read my codes for sum reason, so i was wondering if there is any place i can send it in to get it tested to see if it is operating properly.
Where are you located?

The '85 was a one off year. The ECM was only used in that year. Most guys I know repin them to later style MAF or MAP ecm's. But it worked in 1985, so it should still work now. They are fairly easy to troubleshoot - it's just, when they go bad it's cheaper to repin to a newer faster ECM.

-- Joe
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 05:46 AM
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Originally Posted by anesthes
'85 was MAF not MAP. He has the old '870 ECM..

-- Joe
Hey Joe I this was brought up before. Didn't they still use a MAP for start up Baro reading and some load info.?
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 07:12 AM
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Originally Posted by BluRay
Hey Joe I this was brought up before. Didn't they still use a MAP for start up Baro reading and some load info.?
Hi,

On the CC Carb setups they had a baro sensor, but not on the '85 TPI setups.

Looking back I cannot confirm there is any BARO on an '870. Keep in mind I've worked on Fbody's not Corvettes. There is a minor difference between the '870 on a vette and an fbody when doing the repin but I don't recall a baro or map sensor.

Of course I can't find the last thread I recall on the difference.

--Joe
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 08:25 AM
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Not as if it is the best info but the AutoZone repair info site shows them having one, but that doesn't say what inputs they provided or under what conditions. I would bet they were more just for start up BARO and WOT BARO.

Would be interesting to know.
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