95 Computer and Fans
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
95 Computer and Fans
A friend of mine has a 95 and is having cooling problems so I told him I'd see if anyone on the forum could help.
The car stared overheating suddenly pegging the temp needle and he noticed the fans were not coming on. He got it to his mechanic who put it on a diagnostic machine and determined the computer was not turning on the fans. So he bought a new computer to the tune of $800 (Yikes) and gave it to the shop. The mechanic checked it out on his diagnostic equipment and told him he wouldn't install it because it checked out as no good for some reason. So he sent it back and is waiting for his to come back that he had to trade in as a core when he bought the new one.
So if he gets his back is there anything that can be fixed or replaced in the computer like a blown transistor that's associated with this issue? Does he have any options other than having to buy another expensive computer to solve this issue?
Thanks
The car stared overheating suddenly pegging the temp needle and he noticed the fans were not coming on. He got it to his mechanic who put it on a diagnostic machine and determined the computer was not turning on the fans. So he bought a new computer to the tune of $800 (Yikes) and gave it to the shop. The mechanic checked it out on his diagnostic equipment and told him he wouldn't install it because it checked out as no good for some reason. So he sent it back and is waiting for his to come back that he had to trade in as a core when he bought the new one.
So if he gets his back is there anything that can be fixed or replaced in the computer like a blown transistor that's associated with this issue? Does he have any options other than having to buy another expensive computer to solve this issue?
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,394
Likes: 2,741
Generally a REMAN purchased '95 PCM would have required appropriate 'programming' if indeed it was actually PCM failure. There's way more that needs to be shared before anyone can actually help.
A mistake was providing the 'core' before it was confirmed the replacement actually could be programmed and functioned. An exception would be of course if someone actually provided a repair or service of his.
A 3d party conversation usually doesn't work well and the forum makes it 4th party.
In a 'for hire' repair it's often to a persons advantage to pay the shop parts and labor.
As much of the shop or 'your friend's diagnostics' need to be shared!
A mistake was providing the 'core' before it was confirmed the replacement actually could be programmed and functioned. An exception would be of course if someone actually provided a repair or service of his.
A 3d party conversation usually doesn't work well and the forum makes it 4th party.
In a 'for hire' repair it's often to a persons advantage to pay the shop parts and labor.
As much of the shop or 'your friend's diagnostics' need to be shared!
Last edited by WVZR-1; May 22, 2018 at 06:53 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Generally a REMAN purchased '95 PCM would have required appropriate 'programming' if indeed it was actually PCM failure. There's way more that needs to be shared before anyone can actually help.
A mistake was providing the 'core' before it was confirmed the replacement actually could be programmed and functioned. An exception would be of course if someone actually provided a repair or service of his.
A 3d party conversation usually doesn't work well and the forum makes it 4th party.
In a 'for hire' repair it's often to a persons advantage to pay the shop parts and labor.
As much of the shop or 'your friend's diagnostics' need to be shared!
A mistake was providing the 'core' before it was confirmed the replacement actually could be programmed and functioned. An exception would be of course if someone actually provided a repair or service of his.
A 3d party conversation usually doesn't work well and the forum makes it 4th party.
In a 'for hire' repair it's often to a persons advantage to pay the shop parts and labor.
As much of the shop or 'your friend's diagnostics' need to be shared!
Thanks for your comments.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,113
Likes: 1,994
From: St. Charles MO
I'd want to know how the mechanic determined that it was actually the PCM that failed, rather than a relay or short or some other possibility. That is, did he actually trace the fan signal all the way back to the PCM? I'm sure it's not impossible that this was the cause, but OTOH I've seen several bricked PCMs and the one thing they actually always seem to do is run the fans 100% of the time. That's also improper fan operation, of course, but my point is that the failure mode for the fan signal from PCMs of these years may actually be that they complete the circuit when it should be open (fan not running). So I'm skeptical of the diagnosis.
If it really turns out that the PCM is the problem, then $800 is way too much for a new/reman one. I bought one already programmed to my VIN for something like $250 a couple years ago. There are places that can diagnose and repair these computers, too. SIA Electronics is one.
If it really turns out that the PCM is the problem, then $800 is way too much for a new/reman one. I bought one already programmed to my VIN for something like $250 a couple years ago. There are places that can diagnose and repair these computers, too. SIA Electronics is one.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,793
Likes: 9
From: VA
If it IS a PCM problem, used PCMs can be had for under $50 - call it $100 if you're in a hurry - and you can probably get a stock tune loaded by a mail order tuner for $150.
Like the others, I'm skeptical of the diagnosis.
Like the others, I'm skeptical of the diagnosis.
