ECM computer issues

hey guys, my name's Andy, i'm kinda new around here, only a couple posts, but i've been lurking around here since 2001, which was when i got my TC.

i am currently stumped as to what the hell is wrong with my car. i have an '83 5 spd TC with an '88 motor, big vam and injectors, act, bcs, run by a LB3 ecm (repinned harness).

i was having some random bucking and stalling issues, so i replaced the whole distributor, tfi, pip, cap rotor, everything. it's not motorcraft, after all, i'm a broke college student for now.

After replacing the dizzy, i set the timing at 10*btdc, with the spout unplugged. when i connected the wire, my ignition timing was still at 10*, no change. so i had my new tfi tested, and it passed. took it back to kragen and swapped it out anyways.

with the second new tfi, there was still no spark advance with the spout plugged in, so i just locked the timimg at 25* so i could get back and forth to school, which ran okay so long as i was nice to it. now it seems as though the ecm isn't grounding the fuel pump, either. i can get the car to run if i supply a ground to the pump, but i know that's not how she's supposed to be.

where should i go from here? i'm in the process of checking voltages at the ecm harness as we speak, just figured i would ask what you guys think. i'm thinkin the ecm might have crapped out, but need to know for sure before i drop the $$ on a reman ecm. thanks in advance for any help. my # is 951-486-1211 if anyone would want to help over the phone.

i should also add that i am indeed able to pull codes. heres what i got:

KOEO: 54, 82, 83, 85, 87, 88
CM: 14, 18, 41, 54, 58, 65, 72

None of this seems to be good, just thought i'd throw those out there.

54 - ACT
I think all of the 80's codes are because you are running an auto computer and I'm assuming you are not running an a4ld.

When is the last time you cleared the codes?


I would first check for continuity between the spout plug and pcm. AFAIK - the only things that could be causing this situation would be faulty TFI (highly unlikely in your case), a break/loss of connection somewhere in the spout wire, or a faulty pcm.

What Brian said.........

I have heard of the wire in the spout corroding through.

k, just reset the ecm and cleared codes, no CM codes, but the same KOEO codes, and i also reset the inertia switch, which got the fuel pump ground from the ecm goin again. still no ignition advance, but i was able to get her runnin again.

unplugged vam while running, and there was a change (idle dropped) so i plugged it back in and restarted the car (it didn't stall). after she was runnin again, i started jigglin the wires in the TFI harness, and the car instantly died.

with absolutely no timing advance, the ecm could be in FMEM "limp mode", correct? and that would be better than a crapped-out ecu, i would think?

i will do a continuity test on the spout wire. its worth noting that i don't have an actual spout connector, but some spade connectors instead, got caught in the steering column years ago, but that was a long long time ago. thanks again for any help!

Sounds like you have isolated the issue to the TFI harness and TFI connector. Carefully inspect the connector for damaged pins, corrosion, etc. Also check continuity from TFI connector to PCM as Brian suggested.

I don't think the ECM "cares" if the timing doesn't advance, just reduces timing if it receives a signal from the knock sensor... There should be a code 98 if it were in limp....

well jeff, that seems to be good news, and turbocoupe50's point about the lack of a code 98 goes along with that. i'll go through the harness and connector and see what i can come up with. might be a day or two before i get back to you guys with the results, trying to deal with some medical/VA stuff for my dad, who's health has taken a dive lately. again thank you all for your help.

THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED!

thank you gents for your suggestions, it turned out to be my TFI connector and harness. replaced them with a junkyard harness and connector and she fired right up with the timing a 27* at an idle.

now on to getting my emissions numbers under control. i was high all the way around on HC, Nox, and CO. need to get my o2 sensor and EGR workin right.

thanks again for the help guys!