dans78ta

I feel that I may have placed my original thread/post in the wrong spot.

See it here:https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/tech...ns-am-5-a.html

ULTM8Z

After everything you’ve tried, I think you really need to get a scanner on that car that can do more than read trouble codes. Something that can read the actual ECM data. Ideally, something like Tunerpro on a laptop that you can plug into the ALDL and record the data when the symptoms start….

Tunerpro is a free download which means you’d only have to buy the ALDL to USB cable adapter (assuming you have a windows laptop)

http://www.moates.net/cabl1-obd1styl....html?cPath=64

Or at least scanner that can record real-time data and export it to a .csv file such that someone on this board can pull into Excel and take a look at. You can attach the file to a post.

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

The xtreme aldl is on back order.

http://www.moates.net/aldu1-and-cabl...019-p-127.html

The 1227730 is easy to connect to you could get a cable here
http://aldlcables.com/products/aldlobd1u.asp

http://www.1320electronics.com/12pinALDLUSB.html

I haven’t had much luck with red devil river products.

dans78ta

Thank you for the feedback. I will try this, but I have no idea how to use it. I will need some guidance on what I am looking for when plugged in, and do I drive it with it plugged in and try to make it act up? What am I looking for? Sorry for my lack of knowledge on tech tools. I have not used these. What is ALDL ?

1. Does the software pinpoint the problem or give you troubleshooting tips?
2. Do I make adjustments within the software that adjusts the ECM?
3. When you mention that it can do more, what is meant by this? What can it do?

Much appreciated guys!!!

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

1. No. The software merely allows you to see what the ECM see's. It is up to you to understand and interpret this data.
2. No. You cannot make any adjustments to the ECM. The ECM's programming is hard-coded into a PROM (Programmable, Read-Only Memory) chip and you cannot change it without special hardware that is likely beyond your skill level at this time.
3. I don't see where this was mentioned..... The cable can interface with the ECM's ALDL (Assembly Line Diagnostic Link) port for diagnostic data collection. That's really all it's for.

You set it up and you watch the coolant temp data. Then you do the tests as indicated by the pages in the manual photographed by Drew in your other post. As I said you have a bad sensor, wiring issue, or bad ECM. You don't need an ALDL to troubleshoot this but it will be helpful. You can check the sensor with a meter, and you can check the wiring end-to-end with the same meter. If it's not the sensor or the wiring then try a known good ECM - they are cheap and they can/do fail.

All your symptoms are related to a poor connection, bad data, or broken circuit to the coolant temp sensor. This sensor is used in all fueling calculations and will dramatically affect fuel mixture control - up to and including stalling the engine from too much or too little fuel. Without it the computer has NO IDEA how much fuel the engine needs.

GD

vinny R

Subscribed

So the $30 cable does not have the switch in the middle. Is this needed for a accurate TPI reading? I am really thinking that with my project I have going on that it might be time for me to get set up to be able to acess this info.

vinny R

GD, can you access this while driving? I assume you would need someone to look at the data while driving.

GeneralDisorder

iTrader: (1)

Yes. You can access it while driving. You should have an assistant obviously. Don't take you eyes off the road! Number 1 task is to fly the plane! If no assistant you can data-log while you drive and review the recorded data later - speadsheet or playback inside tuning software, etc.

GD

dans78ta

General Disorder: Thank you. If the failure point ends up being at the ECM, where does one buy a good one at? Just checking ahead of time in case it leads to this.

I did replace the CTS several years ago. I did test the sensor but unfortunately after I got is out of the box and ready to put in the car. You can see from my post in 2015 that the new CTS was reading 0 ohm on a 50degree day so basically the ECM would have thought it was over 200 degrees based on the temperature chart(WRONG).. So I took the new one back and bench tested the second new one before walking away with it. It did show a reading of ohms. I forget the exact reading now as it has been a while, but it was a good one. I will check the temp sensor again. I will also check the circuit between sensor and ECM again. I've already done this several year ago but I do not mind going through the steps again.

Also, I have read reviews on the several of the ALDL connectors, and they are not good reviews. People saying they cannot get it working, etc. etc. There are also some that had no trouble. Which connector would you buy?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

If you do determine the ecm is bad I have one for sale or try your local parts store. I have heard mixed reviews on cardone.
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/engi...2-tpi-3-a.html
1320 has good reviews and I think they might stand behind the cable if you can’t connect to your ecm.
A email to them before your buy might be good. Or wait until moates is back in stock.

dans78ta

Also, what is involved with replacing ECM? Plug and go, or VIN correction needed and bunch of set up?

Tuned Performance

iTrader: (92)

Disconnect the battery and remove the ecm. You need to swap over your memcal. This is under the ecms access cover. To remove it rock back the blue and white levers on the side of the memcal.
The memcal can only go in one direction so watch the notch on the bottom of the memcal for orientation.

Drew

iTrader: (58)

7730 ECM for a 90-92 TPI car? Easy. Google 7730 ECM and look for a list of interchange cars. The low hanging fruit are any 3.1L V6 thirdgen, but there's also scads of FWD GM junk with the 2.8 and 3.1 that used the same 7730 ECM. Just remove the MEMCAL from your computer, pop it in the computer from the donor front wheel drive garbage, and now it's a thirdgen ECM. Used to be able to pick up good used 7730 ECMs out of those junk FWD donors for $30 all day long. Accounting for rapid inflation in the last decade, a fair price is still only about $60.

ULTM8Z

I recently generated a quick start guide for getting TP RT up and running for $8D cars. I've attached it in this post. \

As was said here, you don't need to mess with the laptop while driving. Simply push the record button and then back out of the driveway and cruise around. Upon returning, hit stop and then the save the file (.xdl file).

From there you can post it here and I'm sure several of us will be happy to take a look at it for you.