88 IROCZ TPI 350 new wires, cap, rotor, plugs, coil

Engine runs fine untill i plug the ESC plug back in ( the connector you unplug to set the base timing) With it unplugged it runs great, just doesnt advance the timing. When i plug it in the engine runs as if its missing.


thinking maybe the esc module is wasted?

 

Thats a possiblility that the module is toast. Or, it could also be some other issue. Whats the base time set to?

 

6*

 

"(the connector you unplug to set the base timing)" yep, that's what it's actually called, "Set Timing Connector," and it only connected to the distributor, and the ECM, not the ESC.
Let us know what's causing the problem.

ESC module Diagnostic chart.

 

Just getting around to check it, thanks for the chart!

 

i had a problem like this, when i disconect the brown/white wire the car starts and idles perfect, off of static timing. But as soon as i try to run it with that wire plugged in i get a stumbling idle and it stalls. I also get a enormous backfire, which most likely blew my new cat. up, so my idea is that the ESC is fried, or some part between it and the ECM. any ideas? that chart wont work for me as it wont run with the brown/white connector hooked up, but if unhooked i get teh SES light but it runs just fine.

 

I ended up replacing the entire distributor, it had a fried ignition module and some of the internals were about to rust away.