I've talked to Don and at the moment he is too busy so he can't take a look at my car and its cool, but I'd like to know if you guys, know of any other trustworthy mechanics here in SoCal.
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Stock 82 TA
You may want to contact VincentZ28. I know he's a good mechanic because he's always fixing his car (mostly due to breaking them racing me...engines...transmissions, etc.). And trying to keep up with me means he has put just about every bolt-on known to man on his car or at least replaced them with better parts...sometimes many times..so he's definately familiar with all the latest parts.
Last edited by james_85Z28 : 06-22-2004 at 07:54 PM.
I couldn't seem to find anybody that was any good until I found Don. I haven't looked for anyone else since. Just thought I'd bump this back up in case someone hasn't seen it and knows a good mechanic. By the way, what sort of problems are you seeing with your car?
If you can, just wait until Don can take it. I have never met any mechanic that knew a car like Don does, the reason he is so busy is because he is the best.
Other than having Don fix it, the best alternative I can think of is ask his (and our) advice on how to fix it right here.
Well my car didn't pass smog about two months ago and I've been running on temporary registrations...of which my second one will expire at the end of the month. I had already asked him last month, but he was too busy and continues to be too busy this month. Also I recently had an engine fire, where not much happaned, a few smog hoses and vacuum lines got burned as did a few wires. I tried to diagnose the car myself, but the paper clip trick isn't working on my ECM. My check engine light has been on forever and it never shuts off. I have an 82 carbed TA by the way.
It sounds like your computer is bad. Does the SES light blink once and then stay lit when you turn the key? That is what I would suspect if you cant get any codes out of it.
No its just on all the time from the moment I start up the car. I don't know if it was just not hooked up right or something. My car has a different engine than stock...it has a 305 from a late 80's Caprice...and the engine swap was a bit sloppy. I posted a topic on the electrical board and they helped out a bit with instrucitons on how to check my ECM, I have also an 82 shop manual. I guess I need a voltmeter and a jumper cable to diagnose the computer problems, of which I planned to do sometime this weekend. Although I'm not entirely sure how to go about it even if I have the shop manaul that tells me how to do it. I too fear that my ECM is bad though. I'm not affraid to work on the car myself, but this time it has a lot of little problems that I can't tell what they are, that I wanted someone trustworthy to take a look. Any help is appreciated though...I may just end up getting a non op registration though.
So what ECMs can I use? I saw a junker 84 at the yards yesterday that was still pretty much intact so I'm assuming it has an ECM still...or even so there are generally a few third gens around. What can I use that would be compatible? Is there a certain proceedure I should take in taking it out and putting it back in?
Disconnect the battery, remove the ECM from your car (its behind the passenger dash, get to it from underneath by removing the kick panel under the dash, you'll need a 7mm socket). Then look at the service ID on it, and match that up with an ECM at the junkyard. You should be able to use any 82-84 LG4 carb ECM. I'm not sure if 85-87 is the same.
The 82' is a strange one year only ECM Service # 1225500. Is your speedomenter working? If not, in 82' and half of 83' they used a Transducer which acts like a Speed Sensor to the ECM. They had many problems with them freezing up and making the ECM key the Service Light and putting the timing and fuel mixture to a base setting which will not pass smog. The Transducer is located on the Left Side Front Wheel Well area. It has a cable going into it from the Transmission and going out of it to the Speedometer. Best of Luck!!! We do have a ECM if needed.
Yeah, when I turn the key the light doesn't blink it is just constantly on. Are you sure I can only use an ECM from an 82? Or can I use another year, regardless I may be giving you a call...thanks everyone for their help. If there is anything else I'd appreciate it.
