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Hello all, my 1994 f150 l6 I bought in December has been giving me a lot of trouble in the past month. First issue, engine was intermittently not wanting to have high rpms and was misfiring, the truck could hardly go 40 mph. Hooked a spark plug test light up, wasn't firing about a 1/4 of The time. Diagnosed it and replaced most of the ignition components (ig. Coil resistance out of range, ICM seemed to be shorting the spout signal) spark was no longer the issue, but it still intermittently didn't want to have high rpms. Tested fuel pressure, it wasn't keeping up, replaced the pumps. Ran great for a day, next morning It took a little longer to get it started, when it did start it ran really rough. Fuel pressure is fine, but the spark plugs are misfiring again. I checked the CEL and got the code 212. Checked SPOUT signal to the ICM, and when running it is switching from either around 10 VAC or around 22VAC. Spec is 3-8VAC, unplugged it gets about the 10VAC turning the truck over, still out of range, is this a computer issue? Want to check before putting $200-300 into a new computer. Thanks for the help! This has been going on for about a month.
These troubleshooting diagnostic decision trees were so key to diagnosing the misfire and then crank no start condition on my 5.8L (failing PIP stator in my distributor -- was not the PCM) that I sent the guy $20 ("bought him a beer" through paypal). So, I suggest that you do this:
These troubleshooting diagnostic decision trees were so key to diagnosing the misfire and then crank no start condition on my 5.8L (failing PIP stator in my distributor -- was not the PCM) that I sent the guy $20 ("bought him a beer" through paypal). So, I suggest that you do this:
Diagnosed it and replaced most of the ignition components.
Originally Posted by JCFranklin
I checked the CEL and got the code 212.
Code 212: Loss of IDM input to EEC
What color is the ICM you installed? I bet it's gray.....
1994 was the first year Ford started to use the Computer Controlled Dwell (CCD) ignition on the F-series/Bronco. Many part catalogs have the wrong part number for the black CCD style ICM your truck requires.. The first sign (beyond the color) that you have the older gray colored Push-Start ignition ICM is Code 212.
What color is the ICM you installed? I bet it's gray.....
1994 was the first year Ford started to use the Computer Controlled Dwell (CCD) ignition on the F-series/Bronco. Many part catalogs have the wrong part number for the black CCD style ICM your truck requires.. The first sign (beyond the color) that you have the older gray colored Push-Start ignition ICM is Code 212.
Thanks for the replies, the ICM I replaced it with is a black, motorcraft brand. Looking at the other thread, it looks like his problem was a short to ground, I check the pcm side of the harness with it disconnected on both ends (ICM, PCM) and it did not have continuity to ground. The problem is currently consistent, so I don't think that would effect that reading of mine. Is it possible that the distributor pickup coil itself could be bad? I've only replaced the cap and rotor on the distributor.
Were you checking the SPOUT signal or the IDM signal path? The online references state Code 212 definition is Loss of IDM input to EEC or SPOUT circuit grounded. But my 1994 Ford manual states it means only Loss of IDM input to EEC.
For reference here is the ignition diagram for your truck:
As noted above:
DTC 212 indicates a loss of IDM input to the PCM.
Possible Causes:
-- Open harness circuit.
-- Shorted harness circuit.
-- Damaged Ignition Control Module (ICM).
-- Damaged Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
Also as noted above a gray ICM in a 1994 or later truck will cause the 212 as there is is no input to the IDM pin of the PCM.
As you can see in the below diagram the IDM only comes from the ICM in the 1994 and later trucks. Attachment 283551
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