How often do ECUs go bad?
#5
Why do you think the ECMs failed ?? What testing have you done that's lead you to the ECM as the faulty component ??
Yes they can fail due to broken solder traces, cracked pins, vibration damage, corrosion in the contacts, component failure like a burned out resistor or transistor, improper installation like bent pins and a thousand other things.
BUT, It's much more likely something feeding information like a sensor to the computer or something controlled by the computer has failed or malfunctioned. Something simple like a bad ground or corroded connection shouldn't be overlooked either.
The ECM is the very last thing to check if you're having a problem. They almost never fail.
What problem are you having ??
BUT, It's much more likely something feeding information like a sensor to the computer or something controlled by the computer has failed or malfunctioned. Something simple like a bad ground or corroded connection shouldn't be overlooked either.
The ECM is the very last thing to check if you're having a problem. They almost never fail.
What problem are you having ??
#8
#9
"One problem is the Radiator fan relay isn't getting the ground signals."
Not really sure what you've tested to get there since there is no "ground signal".
Yes those two wires will turn the cooling fan on (low or high) depending on the signal the ECM receives from the coolant temp sensor.
Some components do have a ground side that is switched. The cooling fan is not one of them. In their case if you went to test them by supplying battery voltage to them they can be perfectly good and yet not work because there is no complete ground circuit.
On most cars the horns are one example of ground circuit switching. Most cars the horns have power from the battery all the time and when you "honk" you are actually supplying the ground for the circuit and not supplying the power. It makes a big difference in how you test.
Your cooling fan should have a complete and working ground circuit at all times. The ECM switches the relay to supply battery voltage to the fan.
If you take a 12 volt test light or volt meter from the positive battery terminal to the ground lead wire running to the cooling fan motor the light should light or you should see battery voltage. If not you have a bad ground.
Do you have a check engine light ??
And if you think I'm being picky I am. I used to work on British and German cars way back when and those wiring diagrams run backwards to US cars. Their schematics run from "earth" to the positive battery post. If you're not paying attention it's easy to send something up in smoke or make a wrong call on if something is good or bad since you can hook it up wrong if you're thinking positive to negative.
Not really sure what you've tested to get there since there is no "ground signal".
Yes those two wires will turn the cooling fan on (low or high) depending on the signal the ECM receives from the coolant temp sensor.
Some components do have a ground side that is switched. The cooling fan is not one of them. In their case if you went to test them by supplying battery voltage to them they can be perfectly good and yet not work because there is no complete ground circuit.
On most cars the horns are one example of ground circuit switching. Most cars the horns have power from the battery all the time and when you "honk" you are actually supplying the ground for the circuit and not supplying the power. It makes a big difference in how you test.
Your cooling fan should have a complete and working ground circuit at all times. The ECM switches the relay to supply battery voltage to the fan.
If you take a 12 volt test light or volt meter from the positive battery terminal to the ground lead wire running to the cooling fan motor the light should light or you should see battery voltage. If not you have a bad ground.
Do you have a check engine light ??
And if you think I'm being picky I am. I used to work on British and German cars way back when and those wiring diagrams run backwards to US cars. Their schematics run from "earth" to the positive battery post. If you're not paying attention it's easy to send something up in smoke or make a wrong call on if something is good or bad since you can hook it up wrong if you're thinking positive to negative.
Last edited by Kiss4aFrog; 06-18-2013 at 12:57 PM.
#10
Thanks for all the help.
Sorry if I've been spamming the board lately. I just don't want the car to overheat.
The radiator fan does not come on with the A/C. If I connect a jumper wire to the yellow wire connector, fan spins great, nothing if connected to yellow/white. When the car gets hot, the fan runs for two seconds,then stops. If I drive on the freeway, the temperature gauge drops to the four o'clock position.
Is this normal?
The radiator fan does not come on with the A/C. If I connect a jumper wire to the yellow wire connector, fan spins great, nothing if connected to yellow/white. When the car gets hot, the fan runs for two seconds,then stops. If I drive on the freeway, the temperature gauge drops to the four o'clock position.
Is this normal?
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jerry1847
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09-08-2008 09:44 AM