Yeah, cables on backwards would do it. It does not have to be an immediate problem, you run the system backwards once, circuits inside the ECM can be pushed beyond their designed limits, and will fail prematurely.

I have only had 1 OEM computer fail. In my mom's 92 Aerostar a faulty injector overloaded the injector driver and that required ECM replacement. In theory, they can last upwards of 20 years. My '87 Thunderbird Turbocoupe has a computer that is similar to an Aerostar in that it is a standard run of the mill EEC-IV computer that has the internal circuitry for a 4 cyl engine. It still had its original computer until I went with an aftermarket performance computer. Usually if an ECM fails, its due to outside causes, things like voltage spikes, shorts, etc.

For the record, one thing that can act like ECM failure that will be cured by replacing the ECM is corrosion in the ECM connector. And interesting enough, the problem does often eventually return, and could have also been temporarily cured by unplugging the stock ECM and then plugging it back in.

Another thing to note, many "remanufactured" ECMs are not truely fixed. They often are ECM that failed for some reason, internal components are then replaced to fix the problem, but the underlying issue is often either not fixed, or the repair was incorrectly performed, which causes either a return of the original failure, or new failures. So in summary, if you were told that ECMs fail after a while, you were either informed by someone who doesn't know the facts, someone lied to you to convince you of the need for replacement, or the person lying to you was a diehard Chevy advocate.

 

Just to through out something else, how old is the fuel filter?

 

Kahn: Here is the site where I got a lot of info: ECMTOGO
Good idea on disconnecting and reconnecting the plug. Worth a try. They did that the first time and it still didn't start. I hope it was just a defective part. I don't know exactly what the replacement part is. Hopefully reman not rebuild.

Nighthawk: yes the fuel filter was changed only about 2000 miles ago. It would run fine after starting fluid got her going, but then it would get worse and eventually not even start again.

All I can do is see what happens this time, eh? Unless I want to pay a diagnosis fee of $80 for a shop that specializes in electrical and claims they WILL find out what is wrong for that price then contribute that price to the repair. Of course, with a warranty you are stuck with the shop that did it unless you brought the part yourself.

 

A couple of years ago, I replaced the 20 year old fuel filter in my van with a brand new Purolator, and it failed after just a few months of use. It would cause stumbles whenever I drove over a bump. The final failure occurred when after hitting a bump on the freeway, the engine started to lose power. I limped it off the road, turned it off, and waited a few minutes before trying to start again. It did, and I went home without incident. In this case, something must have gotten loose in the filter, which caused it to block flow when it gets shaken in just the right manner. I replaced it with a Fram, and it's been running fine for 3 years.

 

Aerostar is back on the road. Warranty work no charge either part or labor. He did check some of the electrical components, not sure which, but didn't find any issues. The part is a Cardone. If it goes bad he will get a refund and try a different brand. Hopefully I never have to bring this post back up.

 

It could be a bad or contaminated MAF sensor. Try cleaning it to see if that doesn't help.

 

I had a shorted A4LD trans body connector in 2005 that took out the OD driver transistor, and I had a spare ECM for a different model with other problems. I replaced the driver transistor and repaired it, but I got lucky as these things aren't really manufactured to be repaired anymore.

 

They actually had put a new MAF in and it didn't help, but that was before they changed out the ECM.

 

Is it staying repaired this time?