Ok here is a description of the events that led up to what my car is doing now.

-I went to change my thermostat, and a wire coming off the back off the alternator was in the way of my wrench getting on the water neck.

-I unplugged the wire from the back of the alternator.

-I changed the thermostat.

-I attempted to start the car.

-It turned over, fired once, and died.

-I remembered the unplugged alternator, and plugged it back in.

-I tried to start the car again, and all that happens is the starter turns the crank over and over and over. Every now and then it will fire once, and then die.

Thats where Im at.

One of the weird things about it is the SES light will not come on at any time. I tried to check my codes, but the light will not flash. Neither during a code check, the key being in the on position, or during startup.

That makes me think there is something wrong in the ECM circuit or something. Im guessing I blew something when I tried to start the car without the alternator plugged in. But I dont know where. I checked ALL of the fuses in the fuse box under the dash but I didnt see any blown. I also checked the ECM/Fuel pump fuse and it was fine.

What do you guys suggest? Where are there fuseable links leading to the computer that I can check to see if are blown? Any other fuses that may have blown and cause the car not to start?

My car is a 1992 Formula L98.

By the way, I just swapped in a new ECM so dont tell me its fried, its not. Its new.

Please help, Im running out of ideas fast.

Adam

ps. *** DAMNIT MOTHER ****ER **** ******* ****!

Sorry I needed to do that.

 

Well I will try to help but I can't give you any for sure answers. For one I don't think trying to start the car w/o the alternator plugged in should hurt anything. What you might want to do is check the fusible links down by the starter and see if any of those are burnt up, that may be your problem.

And your SES light may not be coming on just because the bulb could possibly be burnt out, do you remember if it used to come on?

 

the light has always come on. Ive never had a problem with it not functioning.

 

also, the starter works fine. It turns the motor over with no problems. The motor is acting more like it has no fuel coming out of the injectors. But i dont want to rip out my fuel pump when its just something not telling the fuel pump to come on.

 

First thing I would check is to check your fuses. You may have fried a fuse, or a fusible link which provides power to the computer.

Either that, or maybe you damaged the prongs in the alternator and it's actually NOT getting power.

 

As for the alternator, im going to test for continuity between the prongs and then make a jumper inbetween them to see if the plug just isnt working.

however almost every source tells me the car should run without it plugged in.

 

Or... if you plugged it in BACKWARDS.. then you fried a bunch of stuff. It's possible to do if you force the plug in backwards.

It should run without the alternator plugged in, I'm merely suggesting that you may have accidentally crossed some wires which caused you to blow a fuse... in which case could cause the ECM not to work.

If you're not getting any codes, including code 12, then that more than likely your problem.

If you DID plug the alternator in backwards.... then.. it's quite possible you may have fried the computer ECM.

 

You should have an inline fuse for the fuel pump thats under the hood, check that out and see if its still good, it should be up front somewhere, at least it is on my camaro.

 

Like I said, I have already checked all the fuses, including the inline ECM/Fuelpump fuse by the battery.

Also, I did not plug in the alternator backwards, I am not a moron or Kamaro from 3rdgen.org

My best guess is there is a wire somewhere that is loose or cut and isnt letting power get to the ECM.

 

how about all the fusible links??

 

Let's all remember to play together with a little respect.

I'd second the idea of checking ALL the fusible links near the starter and battery.

 

One time, right after i changed my waterpump, i lost 3 injectors. Car started once....ran for 2 or 3 mintues, then died. Would crank all day, but wouldn't start.

Took it to dealer, they replaces 3,6,8 injectors....and it was fine.
$700 later....

I dunno how good the odds are, but it CAN happen...lol

 

No ECM light, but the ECM/fuel pump fuse is fine? Have you checked for +12 at the ECM/fuel pump fuse? That fuse (under the hood) connects to the junction block, on the passenger side of the radiator, via a ring terminal. The alternator also connects to the junction block.

I had an intermittant ring terminal once. Car died a few hundred feet from my mechanic, so I had the car towed. He couldn't get any response from his diagnostic computer- it told him "no ecm". He did more tracing and found out my fuel pump relay had no power, which meant the ECM had no power. So he told me that either he could spend hours trying to figure it out, or he could jumper the fuel pump relay for me, I could get the car home, and try diagnosing it myself.

I chose to do it myself... got home, found the ring terminal almost immediately. Crimped a new one on, and haven't had trouble since.

 

prOject-IrOc,

You may want to amend your signature just a little. While we all get the idea, we don't want any members potentially offending any other members.

You could convey the same message by saying that "...made for the same thing." and we'd still get the idea.

Bestides, you can't slander Mousetanks too much. Cobras make the best luggage.

 

But you may eventually. You might want to throw a little solder on the crimped joint so that it doesn't start to corrode at the junction. Plain crimped terminations under the car usually don't last very long unless they are sealed really well, as in WeatherPak connectors.