Resolved 91 relays clicking car shutting off....

[Randy08]

I just got this 91 tsi and its of course giving me some problems. when i drive for about 20 minutes, the relay under the radio(fuel pump, asd, mpi?) clicks a few times, the cel comes on then it shuts off fuel or spark and dies. It did this pretty consistently until yesterday it happened and now it starts, runs for 2 secs then dies. the kid before me put a ecu in it and said its from an automatic and the cars a 5 speed. any issues from this? pretty stuck any input is appreciated! thanks
-Randy

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Sounds like he installed an ECU with leaky caps.

 

[hhuricane]

Or the voltage is low. Check your charging system and put the right ecu in it.

 

[badas93tsi]

Sounds like he installed an ECU with leaky caps.

 

[Randy08]

im towing it to my work so i can diagnose it here. havnt had any time to dick with this car that much. also leaning towards the fuel pump pulling too many amps feels like fuel cut at 4400 rpm when it was running wont hurt to throw a 255 at it. ill check the caps and does anyone have a turbo 91 ecu eeprom or not doesnt matter. thanks guys any more input is appreciated! thanks again

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

+3 for dead ecu.

 

[streetillEagle]

I don't care if the caps don't LOOK like they are leaking. Change the ecu anyway. My ecu looked just fine and was clicking and shutting off for a long time with no visible evidence of ecu damage. Until finally the caps started to leak.

 

[Randy08]

ok cool so this is a common thing then? the car has had 1000 miles put on it since 1996 and those were all recent miles before I bought it.


BTW the ecu is on the floorboard. it is NOT the ecu clicking its the relay mounted below the radio that clicks then the car shuts off. Just wanted to make that clear. are you guys talking about your bad ecu's clicking or it makes the relays do that?

 

[Randy08]

thanks I checked the ecu it smelt horrible and theres brown nasty electrolyte everywhere. ECU time! anyone have a turbo ecu for a fwd 5 speed 1991?