Computer/electrical question
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From: Beverly
Computer/electrical question
Ok, this thread is related to another one I posted a while ago (89 Clubwagon Brain teaser) but the question is for better understanding of the system. So here goes, I've been told that there are as many as 12 different computers for the 89 depending on where the vehicle was intended to be sold and operated so that being said what is different on the vans that interact with these different computers? The modules, all the sensors, & the distributer is the same, meaning one fits all (according to Avance Auto) so if everything else is the same how can the computers be different??? If they are than logic would sugguest that something else in the system must be different as well to work with the different computers, what would that be??? Does anyone know enough about the system to explain it? Thanks.
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Parts books mostly list all apps for a year/engine size, So the computer goes by options per app and that's why you need the number off the one you have to get the right one. The vans computer isn't plug and play like Windows XP or 7, you still need to have one with the right drivers for the equipment you have. It's just a simple flash program like a BIOS for a motherboard, if it can't find what it's looking for you get a check engine light or your trans won't shift because there's no driver for it. Each one is a custom program just for that van in that State with that engine/trans/gear and for that use..........I hope that helps some!
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From: Beverly
Ok, I think I am following this but I don't have the origanol computer the previous owner put a new one in and to be honest changing everything else mutible times I've began to thing the though purchased new it may not be the right computer. Can they take the vin# and get me the right one for sure?
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Times like that you should check with a Ford Dealer. There's way to many fly by night computer rebuilders and it might just have a bad connector or a pinched harness somewhere if that's the problem....10-15 yrs all wiring will start having (Gremlins) show up. I spent week tracing down a short on my Neon and it was a Ox sensor (sometimes) grounding out on a trans bracket, what a pain!
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From: Beverly
Ok, I have put 5 different computers in this van and gotten 5 different results ranging from wouldn't start at all to runs and drives but still not right. If the sensors are all the same and the computers are different shouldn't the van run right as each computer tells it too? According to the local Ford dealer my van with my engine and transmission there was only 1 computer, advance shows 3. They crossed the part# and got me one but there was no change in how it ran. It doesn't throw any codes and the check engine light doesn't come on. In my mind if everything is the same why wouldn't it run right respectively to each computer? Hate sounding stupid just trying to understand.
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From: Beverly
True, but I've driven the van for 5 or 6 years and have replaced anything and everything trying to fix the problem, surely anything mechanical would have failed by now. I wish there was a way to keep the computer in the open mode because it runs perfectly for the 30 to 60 seconds that it is.
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I just read your other post to get more background on the van and the problem......engine size, miles? What does it do without playing with the key? If you haven't changed the trans fluid in the last 50,000 miles the overdrive will thud like ton of bricks when it locks up...........
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From: Beverly
Its a 351w (5.8) C6 trans no overdrive, 134000 miles. With the computer I've ran the last 5 years it boggs down like its starving for fuel or towing a heavy load, idles very rough, dies at lights if you don't keep your foot on the pedal, if it does die or you shut it off it restarts like its hot or has a dead battery. With the computer I've ran the last two weeks it idles better still rough though, it restarts with ease, but acts like it has water in the gas on the highway or like a plug isn't firing on every 3rd stroke or so. The brand new computer acts like the first.
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From: Beverly
Would one number/letter in the ecm # make a difference? The one Ford says I need is e9tz12a650afb and the one you get when the cross reference it is e9tf12a650afb. Does anyone know how to decifer what each letter and number stands for? Or if 1 or 2 numbers off make a difference?
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Same thing different source, E= 80s...9= 1989...T= light truck...Z= Ford service part...12a650= computer...AFB= engine/trans/etc. The (F) you see is from Ford enginering for after market rebuilders....I think I got it all right!
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Just wondering, have you ever cleaned out the Intake Manifold? 5.0/5.8s with an EGR valve were bad for clogging up the throttle plate from behind and the IAC port, then would stick just slightly open and would cause a bad idle and stalling..........
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From: Beverly
Thanks for the translation. No I have never had the intake or plentum off, but the previous owner changed engines trying to cure the problem, not sure what he may have taken off at that time. I will ask him he is a mechanic and did everything he knew but was never able to fix it.