Hello, new going to buy 2g DSM tomarrow maybe

[Jrgunn5150]

Hi guy's. I was going to buy a 3g eclipse, but the dealer neglected to mention it's blown headgasket to me when encouraging me to make the 40 mile drive to his dealership

So I hopped on Craigslist, not specifically looking for a DSM, just a cheap driver, and found a 96 5 speed non-turbo for 1k. Seller claims car is clean, with brand new Toyo directional tires, pics show a clean body and nice interior.

Now here is the issue, he say's it needs an ECU. I'm not sure if he knows this for a fact, or if he's just a hillbilly who immediately assumes the ECU on any fuel injected car. I have no knowledge of DSM's at all myself, I've been reading through no start threads here and on other forums for about 6 hours now, . I printed out the No start guide on here to take with me tomarrow.

He said he bought a used ECM for it, but they need to be married to the car? Then he said he tried to get it flashed for the car, but they would not flash used ecm's and had him buy a new one from them, which was "stolen" from their shop. Now he's given up on it and is done with the whole ordeal. I personally doubt the ECM is at fault at all, and so far what I've found is that if the CEL light comes on when you turn the key, that rules out the ECM, correct info?

Basically, the car is about 60 miles one way, from my home. So I can't run there and mess with it alot. i need to get out there, get a good diagnosis (I know how to check spark, fuel, and compression, and will be doing that), get home, get the part's I need, go back and get the car.

Any pointer's to get it nailed down on the first shot would be great, thanks alot. I love the forum and all the links encouraging searching and whatnot too!

 

[absolute_DSM]

I would ask him what the symptoms are and why he thinks it needs an ECU. I dont see a lot of 420a ECUs going bad.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I would ask him what the symptoms are and why he thinks it needs an ECU. I dont see a lot of 420a ECUs going bad.

I talked with him on the phone a bit, kinda got the feeling, like I said, that he's not real fuel injection savy. He's the type of guy that would blame nearly anything on the computer. He did say he had it towed to a shop, but since they forced him to buy a new ECU from them, then claimed it was stolen... I don't think they are reputable. Then again, he may be full of crap about that part too.

I'm going to call him tomarrow and ask the following.

1. was it running before?

2. Did it die while running, or just refuse to start one day?

3. Do you still have the factory ECU?

4. What diagnosis have you done?

5. Does it crank?

I'm thinking I'll learn what I can tonight and tomarrow afternoon, head out later in the day, and get the title from him if it's as clean as it looks and the belt isn't busted. Diagnose it as fully as I can, and report back.

 

[the rage]

Take a scan tool with you, some auto zones and kragen or checker auto will loan out with deposit. If it logs into the ecu then in most cases its not the ecu, if it doesnt it will come up will a comunication error , that means in most cases that it has lost the ground and is bad..

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Take a scan tool with you, some auto zones and kragen or checker auto will loan out with deposit. If it logs into the ecu then in most cases its not the ecu, if it doesnt it will come up will a comunication error , that means in most cases that it has lost the ground and is bad..

Woot! Awesome tip, thanks alot!

 

[1bad91tsi]

look for normal things like the timing belt,oil/antifreeze mixed,and so on.See if the injectors are clicking and if their is fire to the plugs-no fire or no fuel would be an easy fix.probully just a fuel pump out or something like that.

Never heard of the ecu needing to be married for a auto aplication

 

[Jrgunn5150]

look for normal things like the timing belt,oil/antifreeze mixed,and so on.See if the injectors are clicking and if their is fire to the plugs-no fire or no fuel would be an easy fix.probully just a fuel pump out or something like that.

Never heard of the ecu needing to be married for a auto aplication

It's a 5 speed, if that makes a difference. I know Mustang's have a code on the ecu that needs to match the car, or the anti theft system won't let them run. It can be turned off in teh tune with a flash tuner.

Darren at FFWW whatever, the ecu place. Told me he doen't beleive the ecu is bad either.

 

[nfernotalon]

Try looking for a turbo model instead

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Try looking for a turbo model instead

If by Turbo model you mean car, not gonna happen. i'm not after a fast car, I have one of those, I'm after something good on gas that is not rotted out and will hold a little value. Around here everything in my price range (1500 or less) is a complete POS visually. This car look's great, and cost's 1k.

Now if you mean ECU, what would be the reason for a turbo model ECU?

 

[nfernotalon]

Yes I meant a car, and turbo cars get better gas mileage are worth more and have a better resale value.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

So if the ecu is bad, will any 1996 non turbo MT ECU run the car? Is there any need to buy a new unit and have it flashed at the dealer? Or is he full of crap, confused, or both?

 

[elfroggo]

N/T dsms don't hold their value that well.. and at a 1k selling price what value are you expecting it to hold?

Turbo cars get way worse gas mileage than N/T

I wouldn't recommend buying a car that doesn't run, even if he says it just needs an ECU. Find a running car because who knows what is bad with a non-running car.

 

[rossb]

So if the ecu is bad, will any 1996 non turbo MT ECU run the car? Is there any need to buy a new unit and have it flashed at the dealer? Or is he full of crap, confused, or both?

Any 96 NT manual ECU should work, and should not need to be flashed. Also don't hold me too this but I think any 2g NT manual ECU should work. As for a turbo getting better gas mileage as nfernotalon stated, from what I have seen that is not the case being that more air in chamber=more gas needed, but I could be wrong.

Edit:Also ask the guy if the check engine light comes on when he turns to the key to the "on" position, if so the ECU is most likely good(if he has it plugged in)

 

[nfernotalon]

Listen up kids..
YouTube - How Turbochargers Work

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I don't care anything about a turbo DSM, period. I don't care about the debate over which one get's better gas mileage. They both are better than my 04 Cobra and F250 by far, I'm sure.

I'm not out to get a DSM to go fast, I just want a decent looking car that I can run around in without salting up my Cobra, or single handedly funding the next terror attack on the US. The car's listed for 1k-1400 are 80's Caprices, Cavaliers, Escort's, uber high mileage imports, and this clean, rust free, Virginia DSM that I am betting I can put on the road for less than another 400 bucks. If there was a turbo this clean for 1k, i would buy it, but it's this, or a Cavalier. I can drive my truck while I fix it, it's not important to have it up and running immediately. I just don't want to run back and forth 60 miles one way a bunch of times to figure it out.

I have 1500 to spend, the car is 1000, with the new ecu he ordered from Ebay. I just wanted to get some info on other thing's to check while I'm out there tomarrow. Which I did, so thank you to you guy's.

 

[nfernotalon]

Ok first of all you said you wanted something with good gas mileage, good resale value, to get around in, I told you a turbo car because all of that is better. Buy what you want i could careless, just giving you advice.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I never asked about whether a turbo car was better at anything, I only asked for troubleshooting help on this particular non-turbo car.

 

[asexton6969]

Guys he has an opportunity to buy a cheap car. Quit with the turbo vs non-turbo crap. I feel like this is a freakin fwd vs awd bi*** fight again. Just help him with any information he needs. Criticism is not helping in this case.

I would just check the normal things tha you know about. If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, I'm sure you will be able to pinpoint the problem. Like you said earlier, just check spark, compression, etc.

 

[thatblondechik]

Ditto, but I'd definetly check it out more before you buy it. Someone who just assumes it's the ECU no question when a shop tells them that surely doesn't know much about the cars. Do your own investigation. If it were me, I'd hit up the closest Dodge dealership (or you can go to Mitsu...but I'd go to Dodge) and talk to a tech face to face...offer him $50 to come look over the car with you a bit, run some diagnostics...see what he says.

 

[Jrgunn5150]

Tried to call the guy all weekend, no answer. So I got back on craigslist, found a 1g Laser, fwd N/A 5 speed. and it came with a 14b, manifold, and SMIC, . SO I guess I got both, and this one runs already!