Cascade Crew

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:12 pm Post subject: No Start

Last week I replaced the o-ring on my distributor. Got everything re-installed correctly, but wasn't running quite right. ECM was still throwing the EST code (42) at me. Tried to set base timing, but would not stay steady. Dropped the car off at the garage on the way home Tuesday after having it stall a couple of times on the way there. Mechanic said he got the timing set, then as he was going to check his settings, the car refused to start (it's still there today). The injectors are working, but there is no spark. All ignition parts are new, but he checked them anyway. Only thing we could figure was the control module in the distributor (for code 42) or the ECM itself. Tomorrow he's getting a new ECM and we'll see how it goes from there. Pretty good when you have a problem that stumps the regional "training" technician.

The current ECM was in when the previous motor broke its timing chain, never did run well afterwards. With this motor, it ran well for a little more than a week before throwing the diagnostic code at me.

Quasi-Traction · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 7:21 pm Post subject:

aaah.......that sucks...but now you're making me fear the worst about my 84 (I don't want to have to get a new ECM).....I'm pretty sure I"m getting spark (at least to #1 spark plug wire)...... and I know I'm definately getting fuel.....I think maybe I"m getting too much of it. (hense, the rebuild of the carb.....there was a TON of carbon build up in it and I think I may have to get a new carb......looks like someone rejetted this thing with a nail and hammer..its ugly)

anyways....good luck........its always reassuring to one's confidence to know that even the best mechanics among us can be humbled at times.

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:10 pm Post subject:

Al Hasse · Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 6:10 pm Post subject:

Just talked to the mechanic working on my "problem child." He said he put in a new computer and was able to start it and get it running petty good. It was closing time, so he wants to keep it and test drive it in the morning. Looks like the ECM decided to die after he got the timing set on Wednesday.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject:

New ECM installed, but that seemed to be only part of the problem. Ran pretty good for a liitle while, then the engine quit while rolling downhill over Warren Ave Bridge in Bremerton. It refired as I was still rolling (stick shift). Died agaid at an intersection and would not restart (cranked, but no spark). One of Bremerton's finest gave me a puh up the hill and off the street so I could call for assistance. About 20 minutes later it fired up. Later on while on HWY 3, it started acting up again. During one episode, rolling with 00 RPM reading on the tach, I heard a loud backfire through the exhaust before it fired up again. Still doesn't run quite right, and threw the check engine light at me as I got home (code 42 I suspect). I still beieve I might have a faulty distributor or coil (either or both with intermittent problems). If the problem persists, I'll drop the car off again at the repair shop and have those pieces replaced just for GP (distributor can be warranteed).

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 3:49 pm Post subject:

ECM replacement and ignition work... you have done way more complicated work then this before. any reason you decided to have a shop do this stuff? just tired of working on it eh?

glad to hear you are chasing down the last of the gremlins so the new engine won't blow up like the prior one.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:14 pm Post subject:

Xophertony · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:33 pm Post subject:

oh... well cool. makes sense. ECMs in these take 15-20 minutes to swap out. it's under the dash.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:38 pm Post subject:

I have replace it before, thought it might have been a problem (ignition timing acting funny), just before the timing chain on the last motor broke.

Sellmanb · Member Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 727 Location: Tigard, OR

Al, almost sounds like an ignition module... getting hot and wont fire until it cools, runs shitty when cold, that sort of stuff.

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:42 pm Post subject:

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:45 pm Post subject:

Al Hasse · Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:52 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info. In any case, both are brand new, but doesn't mean I don't have a bad one. I think I'll just have the distributor replaced since it is still under warranty, the coil I can do myself in about 1/2 hr.

I can do the distributor too, but why when I can have it done under warranty?

Al Hasse · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject:

I hope I have this fixed now. Rolling Eyes

Just picked up the car after warrantying the distributor. Drove home, then immidiately took it for a longer drive, letting the engine get up to temperature. Acceleration was very smooth as well as coasting down, the tach was steady on acceleration/deceleration (unlike Saturday). The engine light did come on about 5 minutes after I started on the longer drive and didn't go off. I haven't checked to see what code was set, but I imagine it is still a 42. I don't know if it was residual in the ECM or not (I've heard this can happen, not sure if I believe it), I do know it was not reset after repairs were done.

We'll see what happens on my commute tomorrow Cool

Schultzy89GTA · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 8:47 pm Post subject:

Good luck Al. Hope you got it this time and can get on to enjoying the new engine.

-Schultzy

iansane · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 12:53 am Post subject:

Hopefully this clears up for you and get back to having fun in that techno-gadget environment.

Al Hasse · Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 7:14 pm Post subject:

We seemed to do pretty well today, although the check engine light came on near the end of both trips. I ordered the connectors for the top of the ignition coil today (pink & white wires) since the piece that locks one of them to the coil is broken. Also I discovered that the coil itself is a little loose in the bracket, so maybe I have a grounding issue also. I think I notoced a small glitch in RPM just as the engine light came on. I'm off on Friday to see the Dentist(routine visit Very Happy

), so I'll take care of those things then. We'll get all the gremlins out sooner or later Laughing

83Z28BlackBetty · Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 2:40 am Post subject:

Good to hear things might finally start to brighten up Very Happy

Al Hasse · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:49 pm Post subject:

I might have this fixed. Smile

I replaced the both connectors on the coil (the "backshell" that clicks it in place was broken on one) and cleared the codes in the ECM. While I had the battery disconnected to clear the ECM, I remved the ECM and re-seated the PROM. This was Friday and so far the EST code 42 has not returned.... I did see one code for the EGR (32) yesterday, but after driving in the same conditions today, has not returned. It still may be too early to tell, but I think I'm good to go.... Smile

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:42 pm Post subject:

hey did you check your IAC they like to bottom out and stick.