Car was sparatically dieing but now, just dead.

[LeJeune123]

I did a search and found a couple things but couldn't come up with any soild answers. For about 3 months now my car would sparatically die when idleing and sometimes cut power when driving. When it does cut power my lights stay on so I don't think it is the ecu. I was driving to work after washing my car and it just died while I was moving so I pulled into a Buger King and left it. When it died it was a clean shutoff no sparatic thing like mechanical. I tried to start it and it would just turn over but no start, I changed the fuel pump, fuel pump and ASD relays and it still won't start. I just took a spark plug out and tried starting my car but no spark. Also I tested the power wire to the fuel pump and nothing is getting to it. Sorry for the long explanation but if you need anymore info I will be right here. I need this info fast cause I go to work in an hour or so. Thanks.

 

[oldman]

I'm almost certain it's your ECU, your lights are not controlled by the ECU. Pull your ECU and check for cap leakes.

 

[bluelaser92]

I agree with LeJeune here, I had an ECU problem in my car a few months ago and I thought it was fuel pump problems as well... Turns out that an electrolyte leak in my ECU was causing my car to stall out and finally kept it from starting. It only affected my fuel. I'm pretty sure I was getting spark, but you could easily have more than onle leak in there, and because the ECU sits upright in the car, its easy for the stuff to flow over the board and cause problems.

 

[LeJeune123]

Thanks for all the help guys, I am just going to try and find a used one. If any of you know someone who is selling (can only be) a 1995 MTX ECU that would be a big help. The one from the dealer is 200+ and will be a while before I can afford it. Thanks again.

 

[bluelaser92]

You might consider having your old ECU repaired. Depending on the extent of the damage, it could be cheaper than a new or used one, and it may even save you from having more problems (leaks) down the road in a different ECU. "Steve" on this forum may be able to give you more information/advice if you're interested. Good luck.

 

[TalonTSi-AWD91]

I would make sure you check your ECU before looking for a replacement. The capacitor issue is a lot more of a problem with 1Gs then 2Gs. I can't recall off hand of reading about any 2Gs with ECU capacitor problems, but I'm sure there have been some before. Just check the capacitors before you spend any money or if possible, borrow somebody's ECU to test on your car.

 

[Forced4]

I would start with the obvious. No spark issue. make sure coils and transistor pack are good before forking out $$$ for ECU. plus you could always pull the ECU and open it up before just getting another one. I would tend to lean towards IGN system more since the ECU problem is more of a 1G thing. (Like I might need-not to steel this tread). Good luck. Let us know what fixes it.

Rich
Forced 4

 

[steve]

The 420A ECU's seem to have their own set of failure modes. I've seen enough posts to believe they fail far too often. I wonder if that's due to them being in the engine compartment. Either way I don't touch 420a ECU's because I can't test them.

Steve

 

[LeJeune123]

Thanks again for all your help, but in my case it is hard to get another ECU becuase it has to be be a 95' MTX ECU becuase it is different from the 96-99. I don't belive you can have these repaired the only thing you can do is replace it and see if it works. I also checked the fuel pump wires and coil pack and they are not getting power but my lights are getting power and also when you turn the key on the check engine light is supposed to blink but it does not. This is wierd, the turbo guys are helping out a N/T and not even bashing on him. Thanks for all your help it is greatly appreciated!!!!!

 

[steve]

You sure you have power to the ASD Relay? It looks like it gets fed from pink fusable link 4 in the engine compartment. If you don't neither the coil or the ECU will get power.

Steve

 

[LeJeune123]

Yea I checked the ASD connector with the little screwdriver light thingy(don't know the tech name) and it showed fine. Also I replaced the ASD relay and still nothing. Thanks anyway.