Quote:
Originally Posted by msattler
Never got a response to this one.......
But I thought I would let you all know what was going on, might save somebody else some grief.
After subbing the ECM and replacing the ignition control module, crank sensor, and both coils......the problem still persisted, and was gradually getting worse. Even tried running an extra ground wire from the ECM ground stud on the engine to the battery. Finally got to the point that sometimes when it cut out it would not restart for several minutes. Seemed worse in very hot weather.
Know what it was?
Dang fusible link down by the starter solenoid that feeds the ECM/fuel pump circuit through a fuse by the relays in the right front corner of the car. Must have been a pinhole in the insulation right where the wire enters the link, and upon very close inspection, you could see a bit of green corrosion. A $4.00 bit of fusible link wire and a couple of crimps took care of it.
My guess is that when cold, the insulation on the wire would shrink a bit and pull the ends of the corroded wires together enough to allow the car to run, but as things heated up and the insulation softened, the connection got worse and worse until the ECM lost B+ and there ya go.
Or rather, there ya don't go.
Finally found it by using a DMM with min/max function on the B+ feed to the ECM and driving the car on back roads until it cut out again. Watching the meter while first driving, I found the voltage dropping a little bit here and there until it went away altogether. Then checked at output side of the fuse...losing it there. Then at the input side of the fuse...losing it there. And that goes directly to the fusible link feeding the circuit down by the solenoid.
Wiggled that a bit watching the meter, and I knew I had finally found it.
Soooooo...anybody else chasing their tail with crazy intermittent problems.....make sure you are not losing B+ to the ECM before you start tossing parts at it.
|
Ill bet your 1 happy camper.
I also have a problem simmular to this but on a 95 3.1 cirra, its to late for me I have allready thrown the parts at it. Cleaning grounds and re-doing battery cables now.
Now I think I need to check wiring diagrams to see if that are simular in the locations of that fuseable link you dicovered as the problem..
If I understand correctly you placed a meter on the + side of the computer fuse and the meter indicated loss of power when the wires were wiggled! Is that right?
Ill bet your post will help alot of people.