Help please, the car just stalled.

[Snoopyusa5]

For the past couple of months, my '97 2.2 keeps stalling out and won't start again. It will turn over but it's like it is not getting gas. The guy at the repair shop said that my engine computer was bad and that may be causing the problem. I have the computer but have yet to find out where it goes. Anyway, today I was driving along and it just died. It would start but have no power and basically coasted along, when I gave it gas, it wouldn't rev up or anything. It's been doing this for a while. When it was in the shop two weeks ago, the mechanic sprayed something in the throttle body(?) and it started again. My ex-husband supposedly changed the fuel pump about a month ago, but it is still doing the same thing. I don't know much about cars, but cannot afford to have a shop fix it and am not in contact with my ex anymore. I want to fix it myself but don't know what to do. Please help!

[Shortbus]

Does sound like the ECM, sounds like it has gone into "Limp Mode" this is program that bypasses the normal computer operation and allows the vehicle to make it to a service shop or home without having to be towed. I know you said you cannot afford to fix the problem yourself but sometimes you can end up spending more trying to fix it yourself replacing good parts based on reccomendations from shops. You need to have someone hook a scanner to it, then drive it or observe the ECM readings and let them make a diagnoses based on fact not assumptions.

[GTP Dad]

How many miles are on your car? If you replace the computer without first finding out what caused it to go bad you may just be throwing away money. I would believe that you have a fuel injector problem. They are not cheap to replace but they may need it anyway. The computer is usually located behind the glove box, to get to it you will need to remove the glove box completely. Disconnect the battery before removing the old one, unplug all the connectors. Reverse the process and try to start the car after reconnecting the battery. I would anticipate that it should start at that time if it truly is the computer. (If the computer isn't located behind the glove box then remove the side kick panel on the passenger side that is the other location that manufacturers use.)
Good Luck and let me know how it turns out!

[Shortbus]

^ oh forgot that part.. 95 and up cavvy PCMs are located in the engine compartment on the passenger side next to the radiator core support facing down. There is a plastic horseshoe shaped bracket holding it in place with one bolt securing the bracket.

John

[scrt79]

there is a recall on the pcm... call yur dealer and get them to run the vin for you. the module, and some wiring, and a few covers are involved. give them a shout first.

[Snoopyusa5]

I had the car towed to the dealership and had them put in the computer. Now the car theft system light is on. It still will not start and it won't even let them download anything from the scanner. They said that it could be because the computer that I bought is an aftermarket one. Why would they make and sell them if they do not work? I don't know what to do, they want to know if I want them to put the old one back in and try to find out why it won't start. This could end up costing me about $1000 more and I cannot afford that. I am tempted to call the finance company and just let them take the car back. I still owe about $2000 on it and I have already spent about $1000 in the last month on parts, tools, and for having to rent a car while this one was down. Any suggestions beside pushing it off a cliff?

[scrt79]

well.. i don't knwo how far you live from the dealership, but i would say... if you can afford to fork out the tow bill to your house...put the old one back in, and then tow it back, or get to know somebody in that field, or even a smaller shop.. they have those tools as well. i don't really knwo what else to tell ya. but ya need to be able to access that cmputer via the data port, in order to find anything electrical out at all. best of luck