I think I have to get a new ECM for my car, but which years will fit? Only 89 like my car is, or 88 also and so on?
Someone said the ECM of a Firebird would also fit??
Hints please... Thanks!

Ciao
Flameredroc

 

Any ECM from a TPI F-Body 86-89 will work. The last three #'s of the ECM are 165.

Be sure and use the PROM that's in yours, because your '89 was the last year of this setup, and it doesn't have a cold start injector, so the programming is different than the earlier years.



HTH

 

Backing up one or two steps (and just because I'm curious), why is it you believe you need a different ECM? Is it an operationl problem, or did some of the smoke get released from your current unit?

 

My car has a code 42. According to a list of trouble codes from www.iroc-z.com (page no longer available) this could be the following:
Poor electrical connection, open or short in circuit; defective ignition module; defective ECM.
Something like a routine to work from a book (the 'does the thing do that, yes, no, follow the answer for the next step' kind) led me to a broken ignition module. Ign. module got changed, code still there. I checked the cables with an ohmmeter or something, they're okay. So, the only thing which is left is the ECM to be whacky. So I thought I'll give it a try and get a new ECM from somewhere, put it in with GMs ARAP.bin on it, and lets see. If the code is still there then I can give the 'roc to a shop and tell them what it is. Loose connection somewhere. I'll save a lot of money this way.
Uh, question answered I'd say

 

I am havingnearly the same issue, though I am receiving an error code 43 and per the haynes and chiltons manuals it states this could be due to the ignition module. I am also seeing code 33.

I am going to be taking my ignition module out and taking it to autozone which as far as I know is capable of testing these pieces. Other than this, I am lost on why I am gettign error 43. In regards to 33 I started receiving after I had my plugs and rotor replaced. I thought I may be arcing in my wires but was not entirely sure, so I went and replaced my wires, lo and behold the old wire set fell apart in my hands. But I am still receiving the error code 33. On top of that, the car doesnt want to start for the most part. When it does, it is at a really rough idle. Can my two problems be linked?

 

I suggest you have a look at this:
https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/faq/thirdgen.shtml
If you haven't been there already. At the bottom of the page there's a table with all error codes and their meaning.
Code 33 is the MAF, IIRC, explains your rough idle. Maybe you just forgot to plug it in 43 is the Knock Sensor. But go see for yourself, the table is very helpful.
If you need a new Ignition Module, I got one here. Its from the car in my sig And I know it works

 

Try this file: GM Error Codes.pdf

You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open/view/print the files, available here for free:

That DTC '42' could also be a failing ESC or the wiring to it. IIRC, the ESC on anything up to the 1990 model year is a separate control, and is not integrated into the ECM as on later (S/D) vehicles.

Also, if you have set the base ignition timing recently, following the correct procedure require disconnecting the EST bypass connector. This will also set a DTC '42'. Error codes are typically stored for the last 40-50 engine run cycles, so if you set timing and didn't clear the codes, you may be reading a stored code that really isn't a problem.

Incidentally, have you checked the EST bypass connector to make sure it is correctly connected?

 

Apparently when I missed the code listing in my manuals, I dont know how but oh well. And when I saw the codes on the net they must have been generic because of the different engines and vin's for the camaro in 91.

I will check the MAP sensor. I havent disconnected it as far as I know, but it could have been by accident.

I have not done anything with idla. The car was running fine except for the overheating which I have been working with the fan problem. I tried starting the car after 3 days and all this crap started appearing.