Speaking of strange EFI Codes…

[MarsChariot]

The only codes I use to get were the ones for thermactor, 81, 82. Suddenly I am getting a code 88. Which is bizarre if you look up what it means. What happened to the thermactor codes? And why the heck would I get an 88. It has no meaning for a 5.0 based on my reading from the Probst book. Inquiring minds definitely want to know.

 

[Steve83]

How did you read that code? If you used a scanner...



If you counted MIL flashes, post a good video of it. What EEC are you using - the exact donor?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Strange codes is a sign of leaking capacitors inside your computer.

 

[MarsChariot]

That's the odd thing about this: The code is with both a working spare original A9L and with a rebuilt NAPA A9L equivalent ECU. So the ECU seems unlikely to be the source of the problem. The problem developed slowly with cutting out and hard starting during the spring. And now it is a definite no-start situation. I am in the middle of tracking backwards from the spark to the distributor to see if the distributor is acting up. But the code 88 on two different computers sounds awfully strange. A wiring and ground issue comes to mind, but if so it developed during a period of several months sitting in dry storage. Which could be some sort of clue. But if so, I can't interpret the clue!

 

[Viperwolf1]

If it was mine I would unplug the computer and ohm out the harness. It's easy and doesn't take long if you know the pin assignments and sensor values. If you don't find anything strange open the computer and take a look around the capacitors.

 

[MarsChariot]

Not what I wanted to hear! I see it now. My whole holiday weekend will be ruined all because ViperWolf1 shamed me into doing the right thing and "ohming" my EFI harness. And it will take me the whole weekend because I am horrible with accounting using wiring schematics. The garage is like 95 degrees and i will be sweating and the sweat will keep me from seeing the schematic clearly and I will miss-count the pins and get screwy numbers, and …

 

[Steve83]

You might avoid all that if you clarify how you got those codes. %)

 

[MarsChariot]

Well gosh, Steve, the same way I have always gotten the codes, from the MIL flashes. Again, the odd thing is that the only codes I always got for the last couple years were the 81, 82 associated with the unused TAB and TAD on my emissions harness. Now it insists that I have a code 88 only. TAB and TAD have magically gone away.
I am in the process of finishing up on checking the harness. So far nothing out of spec. The A9L from evil bay and the new NAPA rebuilt that I have been running for the past year both give the same codes.

 

[Steve83]

Well gosh, you didn't say before. It sounds like both EECs are going bad. Capacitor plague happens like coolant aging; whether it's being driven or not. Look inside them.