Would you be able to read the obd1 codes or us a code scanner if your SEl
stays on all the time?

 

Yes

 

i would find out why your CEL stays on . that is a problem in itself

 

from another thread i read on here when i was having the same type of symptom with mine(i interpret yours is on even if the key is just turned to the on position? never turns off as long as the dash is on?) if it turns on right away even before the engine is on and doesnt turn off or it flickers very fast then the prom is fried, according to that thread, which i dont know where/what is. i dont know that that is necessarily true, but could hold fact as i have since ran into other problems that tell me the computer is fried(or at least thats the simplest solution). i would recomend checking your fuses if any are blown replace, i think its the 3 or 5 amp goes to the computer. also then pull the codes and if you get mulltiple codes that contradict eachother then my money would be on the computer is fried, but i am not an expert by any means and could very well be very wrong.

 

Probably. That being the way it usually works.

What were your codes when you read em? (which it would have taken less time to try, than to post on the Internet about it)

 

the service engine light never goes on/off when I tried the paper clip method.
I have parts to build a ALDL cable and will try that.

 

Driver module may be bad. ECM might just be unplugged.

 

If this car was changed from tpi to carb, would the ecm even need to be connected?

 

For carb swap, you don't need the ECM except for maybe your speedo and/or TCC if it is controlled by the ECM. As far as the CEL, it is useless and should be disabled (remove the bulb). 99.9% of the ECM's job is fuel injection control and emissions. Since you've taken that out, no need for the ECM except as stated above.