CEL Missing and noise from ECU

[notracing]

On the way to work this morning at about 60mph my car jerked, it felt just like a misfire, then I noticed that the CEL came on and went off. At the same time my tach would drop from around 4k down to 2k and then go right back up. More unusual was the rapid clicking that was coming from the center console near the ECU.

I am somewhat suspicious of the ECU based on the amount of people who have had to replace theirs.

Any help would be appreciated

1990 Eclipse GS N/T 2.0L
5 speed manual

 

[DevilSperm]

Signs of Impending Doom
Luckily, there are usually some warning signs that your ECU is on its way out.

A rapid clicking or chattering from under the dash. Usually accompanied with the engine stalling or losing power during the noise. This is the microcontroller going into reset over and over and over again due to a bad power supply. Every time it resets, it will turn the fuel pump relay on and off. This could also be a bad fuel pump relay, but not usually.
An usual smell that seems to come from the center console. Especially if it smells like rotten seafood. Consider that it could also be your heater fan motor, unless accompanied with a power loss or stalling.
Your car is older than seven years and sees a lot of extreme temperature transitions.

 

[notracing]

Thanks for your advice, you have helped to reassure my belief. Have you known the ECU to be intermittent, or particular to certain gears/speeds? I know it was probably just chance, but my car runs fine in 1st-4rth but only acts up in 5th. Like I said probably was just coincidence but I figure I would ask.