88 Olds check engine troubles

Ok, have a 2.8L 88 olds cutlass, and it is having some issues. Ignition module was replaced 2 weeks ago to fix a no-start issue, and all was good for 2 weeks.

Now, the car only runs when you are giving a good amount of accelerator, and stalls every time you let your foot off of it. It will restart every time though. In addition, the check engine light is on as well.

Here is where it gets weird. I tried shorting pins A and B together on the diagnostic plug under the steering column, and then turning the ignition on, but no codes flash. I tried this several times. I disconnected the battery for a few mins and then tried again. Same story, stalling, CEL, and unable to pull codes.

Here is the website I got the info from: http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-41.htm

Is there something I am doing wrong? Something anyone can suggest to check?

Thanks so much,
Rob

Assuming you are doing this correctly the ecm could be bad, many of them did fail back then, try tapping the case of the ecm with a screw driver handle and see if the engine reacts, if so it's no good.

Well, opened up under the dash tonight and found the ECU. Gave it many good raps with a screwdriver handle while a buddy kept the car running. No change at all.

Try and get a scanner on it and see what's what or retry the the jumper, the ecu could still be bad though.

Well, we tried not one, but two readers on it and got the same result. Unable to communicate with the ecm. Looks very much like the computer is at fault. 3-4 days for a new one to come in, and then I will know for sure when it is replaced. I thought these things never went bad. Lol.

I'll keep you posted.

I forgot about this thread, and I apologize for not getting back to it.

Replaced the O2 sensor, and that didn't 'fix' the problem, but it made the CEL start to come one only intermittently. You could feel a serious loss of power when the light came on though.

Finally broke down and bought a new computer for it. Instantly 100%. The car has never run better. Turns out it was the computer after all. Odd that it would just run bad, and not crap out altogether. Ah well.

Hope this helps someone who runs into a similar problem.

Rob D