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1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

engine computer control

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Old Jul 10, 2003 | 11:53 AM
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Question engine computer control

yup. I went out monday to start my ford, and she wouldn't start. Engine is turning, but wasn't getting fire. Rebuilt distributor, replaced coil, checked brain, replaced solenoid, replaced voltage regulator. The AutoZone said it could be the "Engine Computer Control" and said it was under my passengers seat. Ain't nothing there! I have no clue what they were talking about. I have no clue on where to go next. Any help?
Thanks.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2003 | 05:56 PM
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engine computer control

Your Computer is found on the inside Driver's side Firewall. Looking from the inside of the Truck it looks alot like a black/silver box, With all the wires Bolting to it from under the hood. There are a few Inline Fuses under the hood I'd check. One is near the solenoid I don't remember Which wire it is right off. But the Wire will have a bulge in it with shrink wraping over it.
 
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Old Jul 10, 2003 | 06:10 PM
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engine computer control

Is your engine a 302 or 351w?
What series Dura Spark Ignition is it? DS-II or DS-III?
What color is the plastic grommet on the Dura Spark module?
Is the distributor rotor disc shaped?
 
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Old Jul 11, 2003 | 12:41 AM
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engine computer control

Call off the dogs, guys. It's just another example of the quality of employee that the "zone" attracts. There was no EEC in '81 on any engine.

Jim
There are 4 things that make an engine run: air, gasoline, compression, & spark. When you have all of them in the right proportion at the right time, it runs. Find out which one you've lost. You can be pretty sure you have air and compression in at least a few cylinders, so concentrate on gas, mixture, spark, & timing.
 
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Old Jul 11, 2003 | 05:47 PM
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engine computer control

Actually Steve, '81 and even '80 California Ford/Lincoln/Mercury 351w's and 302's came with EEC-III. It's really an oddball setup compared to Dura Spark II ignition. I had a hard time getting information on it for my own truck. EEC-III has a 32 pin harness connector on the ECA module, which on my '81 is located under the seat.

I agree about the auto parts stores though. NAPA sold me a reluctor and pickup for the distributor because they were sure it was Dura Spark II. The only thing inside an EEC-III distributor is the rotor and there is no mechanical or vacuum advance! It uses the CPS for timing and ignition advance.

I agree also, it's pretty unlikely the ECA has failed. I think they are pretty reliable. If Jim's truck is in fact EEC equiped, it sounds more like the Crankshaft Position Sensor may have failed. This recently happened to me and I had no spark. It's easy to test the CPS with an ohm meter.

EEC-III/Dura Spark III has a brown grommet on the module.

I'm afraid Jim has abandoned us though, 'sniff'!

Scott
 

Last edited by horsepuller; Jul 11, 2003 at 05:53 PM.
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Old Jul 11, 2003 | 09:19 PM
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engine computer control

yup. I don't know what it was. It wouldn't start. I drained the battery, so I took it to Advanced Auto where I bought it a bit over a year ago. Told them to charge and went to dinner. Came back, said battery was bad. Warranty out. Put in truck. With some adjusting of the timing, fired right up. Went on ahead and replaced the plugs and wires (wires warrantied out at AutoZone from when I bought in 1997 - I love lifetime warranties!). Still idles rough. It's duraspark II, 300 Six. I love her to death. I rebuilt the motor at 195, 865 miles. She now has 262, 527 miles on her. I tried adjusting the timing a bit more, and the carb fuel and air intake, but doesn't help the rough idle when in gear sitting a red light (story of my city life).

So, I need to get her idling smooth again. What are some common rough idle problems? Vacuum leak? Out of time? what else?

Thanks...

and btw, didn't desert, just been very busy.

Jim
 
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Old Jul 11, 2003 | 09:23 PM
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engine computer control

oh yeah. it's a blue grommet. pretty sure it's durasparkie II.

I used to post here about, ummm... 4 years ago maybe? I had a '64 F100. Had to sell her when I moved from Oklahoma to Ohio. Should have stayed in Okla. just to keep her. Life goes on.... I sure do miss her. she had a little 292 in her that wouldn't quit............ahhh........memories......
 
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Old Jul 11, 2003 | 11:32 PM
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engine computer control

Welcome back to FTE Jim!
 
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Old Jul 12, 2003 | 01:27 PM
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engine computer control

Originally posted by jimraymoore23
What are some common rough idle problems?
Originally posted by jimraymoore23
262, 527 miles on her.
You answered your own question.
 
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Old Jul 13, 2003 | 06:52 PM
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engine computer control

I'm sooooo tired. whew. Big Car Show this weekend here in Columbus. I set up and sale model cars at flea markets as a summer job (school teacher by trade).

Anyway. Now, not only is she idling rough, she's consuming sooo much more gas. That 14 miles to the gallon I WAS getting (which is damn good for this Ford) is now down to about 8!!!

Well, I suppose I will have to keep playing with her air/gas mixture and the timing. I put a timing light on it, and it does nothing. I suppose it's because of interlocking gears and no belt/chain?

At least she isn't dead yet! I love her a lot. She's been pretty good to me. One day I will give her to my son. Of course...I hvae to get that son, first!!!

And, oh yeah, those are now 262,689 miles...
 
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Old Jul 13, 2003 | 08:41 PM
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engine computer control

if the 81 has an air pump, check the tubes under that. mine did the same thing when it still had the air pump. there's a T that cracked down there.
 
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Old Jul 14, 2003 | 08:40 PM
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Thumbs up engine computer control

I found the rough idle problem. There was a vacuum line that was loose. Put it back on, and wala, no problems.
 
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