Or you can use a large zip tie or duck tape to hold it in place for a while.

 

tried tape and it just comes off...ill try a zip tie to get me down to the yard..haha

 

zip tie sounds like it would do the job!

 

alright so we'll see..zip tie is in place..

 

I thought of a zip tie when I was writing my last post on finding a new connector. It would work though a new connector would be much more sano.

 

yeah ima check the yard today if i get a chance..

 

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/co...1-1-1-1-1.aspx

lol...gonna just order these

 

Right on! Wasn't sure if they're available aftermarket, but looks like they are.

 

gonna try the zip ties first..just cuz Hawks shippng is A LOT...

 

so it did it again tonight and now i KNOW its not the ecm connectors

its only initiating the ses light when i hit a bump...

so now what? looks like im ridin the bike to school 2marro..lol

 

You never did read codes did you. Knowing what code it throws would help determine where the short circuit is. Read codes, wiggle test the affected sensor circuit with the car running. Since the car is stalling as part of the failure, I would look at the circuit supplying power to the fuel pump, injector circuits, ignition circuits, etc. The problem is only perplexing because you haven't found it yet. also, don't assume the ECM connectors are okay. I almost said it the other day but didn't want to jinx you. The connector(s) coming loose like they did can detension the terminals, causing poor contact. Hold the ECM in your hand with the car running and wiggle test the individual circuits at the connectors. Whuile wiggling the circuits, look for any change in idle, or for the SES light to come on.

 

will try to wiggle test the ecm later...

maybe its a bad ground from the negative battery terminal? it felt pretty dirty down there (on the block)

the only code it was throwing was a 12...i checked it again last night

 

Yeah. The ECM isnt storing the code. Makes me think its an issue with the ECM itself , or a power or ground to the ECM. Go ahead with the wiggle test. And carefully check the ECM power and ground circuits. Try gently shaking the ECM with the engine running, and even rapping it with your knuckles. It may have an internal fault.

 

Okay, definitely just start following wires, check ALL your grounds. Make sure connections are good. There aren't that many wires on these cars you should be able to find it. Sounds like an electrical thing to me.

 

maybe the magnet killed the ecm? lol...

will try the wiggle test and check all around for loose grounds and wires.

if all else fails, thinking it could be a bad ecm?

 

The ses light with no stored codes makes me suspect the ECM. I'm curious to hear what you find by rapping on the module with the engine running. Bet you recreate the symptoms. I've had some success repairing ECMs when the problem is just a broken solder joint. I really don't think the magnet would have hurt it. But then again it couldn't help anything.

 

havent had a chance to wiggle the ecm..

but i was just thinking, could it be a bad alternator? cuz its not initiated by a bump anymore...it just randomly happens.

 

Does system voltage drop when the problem is occuring? If so than it could certainly be the alternator.

 

dammit, i didnt even think to check that! ill check it 2marro..OH! the wiggle test did nothing to the ECM...

so im thinking alternator or a fat vacuum leak?

 

its gotta be something electrical cuz when it starts doing this, when i turn the ignition on, the fan comes on.

also, when i start it, it idles really high.

 

okay.went out to it right now and its running fine BUT

i look under the car and under the hood...car is leaking coolant like a ****...seems to be coming from the water pump..maybe its just the hose but a bad water pump wont cause all this will it?

 

If the block is very low on coolant, it could cause the CTS to read low which will affect idle, but not cause the fan to run on. It's not likely that the coolant leak is related to the drivability issue. A few things can cause the fan to run on and the idle to go high. The ECM being in diagnostic road test mode could cause this. Again, go over your wirning to see if yo can recreate the problem by wiggling any part of the harness. After you fix the coolant leak.

 

alright..ill try and follow the harness out 2marro. i went to the zone and got a new hose, there was a HUGE hole on the lower hose -_-

 

An open or short in the coolant temp sensor circuit will cause the fan to run on as the ECM goes into default without CTS input. Try filling the engine with coolant and see if the problem is gone.

 

alright...

fixed the hose, filled with coolant
ALSO replaced the serpentine belt because the old one was old af -_- was cracked and stuff...

still doing it BUT now its throwing a code 42...YAYYYY!!!!!!! haha..at least its giving me something now....

so, i was looking and you just happen to reply to this one as well.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tpi/...rank-wont.html
OR
the est wire?
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...de-42-est.html

fan isnt turning on and its not stalling anymore...just really hesitant and a huge lack of power

so, maybe its the dizzy or the pickup coil?

the ignition module is brand new, the MSD cap and rotor are new as well as the MSD wires....

 

just as a reference,
42. Fault at electronic spark timing circuit OR Fault at direct ignition system OR Fault at fuel cutoff relay circuit

 

Code 42 will set when the ignition module doesnt recieve pulses from the ECM for 200ms when EST is activated. This condition will cause the engine to stall and restart. On restart, the engine will run on the ICM's own timing map. The code will also set if the system is run in bypass mode(tan black wire disconnected), as when setting timing. Try the timing adjustment procedure after youve carefully inspected all wiring around the distributor. Pull the cap and check the connections inside as well.

 

will check it all out when i get home later...

i just dont see it being the igniton module because i replaced it not even 6 monthes ago...

 

The intermittent nature of the problem doesn't sound like an igntion module but more like a wiring fault. Carefuuly check the tan/black wire and the white wire between the ECM and distributor.

 

will check it later...does the wire go straight from the distributor to the ECM?

still havent checked all the grounds >.>

 

Yes. The wires go straight to the ECM.

 

alright..

ima clean all the grounds and check that wire out...

if its still doing it, im just gonna buy a new ECM i think.

 

everything seems good with the wires....
maybe this will clue us in? is my ses light supposed to do this at ignition? and now it wont turn over -_-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dyoodmsbozk

 

thinkin about just taking it to a shop >.<

 

Bad news Mikey! I feel our pain! I had a similar situation. Only after all your symptoms, It wouldn't even kick over anymore. I too finally waved the white flag and took it to my guys money boutique(shop)

 

you could just take the route im going to take with mine...carb it.

 

dam bro..that sucks..haha
debating whether i should try a new ECM and then if that doesent work..THEN take it to a shop
Never lol




waiting for the doc to chime back in

 

A shop may be the way to go. However, finding a technician who knows these cars could be tough. College Educated techs are only versed in the basics on older vehicles and focused mostly on more recent technology.

There is so much to know on newer cars. Most techs Ive worked with don't even bother understanding the technology but rather just read codes and replace parts. When something tough comes up they scratch their heads just like you and get on IATN or Identifix and let people like me tell them what to do.

Is your engine not cranking? Or not starting? Not cranking has nothing to do with the distributor and most likely nothing to do with the ECM. Your 89 may have Passkey VATS, if no crank, I would probably look there, after verifying no start signal to the solenoid. Do you have a good service manual? Follow the "No Crank" diagnostic flow chart.

If the engine cranks but doesn't start, you need to determine what's missing. Does the engine have compression, spark, fuel pressure, injector pulse? If it cranks and doesn't start, it's missing one of these.

Looking at your video, I saw normal check engine light function.

 

okay so its supposed to blink when i turn the ignition on?

and i have a shop that does a lot of F-Body stuff..taken my car to them for numerous things.

its cranking but wont start...

 

I missed that. Im trying to remember when Ive seen that before. It may very well be your ECM. Sounds like you've already decided to take it to the shop. Otherwise, I would have had you look at spark, fuel pressure and injector pulse. You may have lost your ECM.

 

not set on taking it too the shop..there pretty pricey >.>

if it was the ECM, would it start the car and run okay at times then take a dump later?
like, presenting itself as an intermittent problem?


i just took the car out for a drive and it felt "ok" THEN, i parked it back at the house, went to start it again and it wouldnt turn over again

it was doing the fan thing earlier too..

 

just ordered a new ecm from TPIparts.com

but yeah
if it was the ECM, would it start the car and run okay at times then take a dump later?
like, presenting itself as an intermittent problem?

 

A defective ECM can fail intermittently like anything else. Check the ECM fuse. Im trying to remember what the single flash of the SES light means. It may be no power to ECM. Try to PM Rbob, you can find him over on the DYI Prom forum. Ask him about the single flash.

 

It's illegal to carb vehicles after '87 out here. So it would do him no good

 

Good luck Mike! Hope it gets resolved soon. My problem was ECM related as well

 

oh fo sho..hope mine is too..haha.

ECM fuse is brand new!

 

PLEASE HELP ME!!! i have a 91 z28 with 5.0 automatic...heres what she does #1 speedo doesnt work and doesnt throw any codes when plugged in...i will be replacing the vss (old one was leakin fluid out the tail shaft) other and only problem with car is that when its in drive or reverse gears then after about 15-20 mins of drivetime she stalls when stopped...again no codes showin up and she fires right back up PLEASE HELP I AM FREAKIN STUMPED

 

post a new thread...

 

the new ECM should be here 2marro

 

got the ecm, got it all plugged up AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNDDDDDD
nothing -__-

taking it to the shop when i get back from Arizona (picking up my 66 impala )