OBD1 code 212
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
OBD1 code 212
1994, club wagon, 5.8, E4OD
Washed van yesterday, drove for about 10 minutes, stumbled, shut off and would not restart. This has happened a few times before after washing or rain, let it sit overnight and it restarts..........
Not this time.
Crank, No start. All electrical is working fine. Except I many have killed the battery by over cranking
Hooked up my jumper and still, Crank, no start.
Getting code 212. " Loss of ignition diagnostic monitor signal, Spout circuit grounded "
Pulled spout and there may have been moisture inside the connector but it may also be old dielectric grease.
Question, Could code 212 mean bad ICM, PIP sensor in Distributor, or bad ECU ?
I am in the process of replacing the ICM since I have a new one on hand.
My next step is to get into the distributor and see if there are signs of moisture,
but the distributor is way under alot of things and it looks like it would be difficult for water to get there.
Thanks.
Washed van yesterday, drove for about 10 minutes, stumbled, shut off and would not restart. This has happened a few times before after washing or rain, let it sit overnight and it restarts..........
Not this time.
Crank, No start. All electrical is working fine. Except I many have killed the battery by over cranking
Hooked up my jumper and still, Crank, no start.Getting code 212. " Loss of ignition diagnostic monitor signal, Spout circuit grounded "
Pulled spout and there may have been moisture inside the connector but it may also be old dielectric grease.
Question, Could code 212 mean bad ICM, PIP sensor in Distributor, or bad ECU ?
I am in the process of replacing the ICM since I have a new one on hand.
My next step is to get into the distributor and see if there are signs of moisture,
but the distributor is way under alot of things and it looks like it would be difficult for water to get there.
Thanks.
Last edited by NICKSAN; Jun 30, 2024 at 10:24 AM. Reason: added specs
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Quick update:
After replacing the ICM It started up.
I inspected spout plug and all ECM plug and wiring (as much as I could)
I think I killed the ICM by cranking a huge amount of times and for long periods, trying to get it to start.
(The van was stalled in a bad place and i was in a bit of a panic)
It doesnt rain much here at all, last major rain I put a tarp over the hood and windshield.
I am still not sure what could be getting wet and cause this crank no start situation then when it sits overnight it starts,
I have read multiple threads about the same mid 90s econolines having the same issue.
Unfortunatley my favorite battery charger died while charging
, Its an old schauer (thats in new condition), I should be able to fix it though.
After replacing the ICM It started up.
I inspected spout plug and all ECM plug and wiring (as much as I could)
I think I killed the ICM by cranking a huge amount of times and for long periods, trying to get it to start.
(The van was stalled in a bad place and i was in a bit of a panic)
It doesnt rain much here at all, last major rain I put a tarp over the hood and windshield.
I am still not sure what could be getting wet and cause this crank no start situation then when it sits overnight it starts,
I have read multiple threads about the same mid 90s econolines having the same issue.
Unfortunatley my favorite battery charger died while charging
, Its an old schauer (thats in new condition), I should be able to fix it though.Last edited by NICKSAN; Jun 30, 2024 at 12:58 PM. Reason: added storyline
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 286
From: Eastern TN
For grins, observe the engine running in the dark. If there’s a lighting show, maybe secondary cables are worn and arcing, worse when it’s wet or humid, and in need of replacement. Maybe the coil is compromised.
Someone can comment whether it’s safe for you to spritz a mist over the engine to simulate rain and humidity. It’s ordinarily safe but I don’t want arcing wires to jump at you.
One hypothesis is arcing causes the ICM to overheat. Is it attached to clean metal for heat transfer?
Recalling our ‘93 5.8, you might need to run it without the air cleaner and intake snorkels to see the distributor and wires.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 198K miles
Someone can comment whether it’s safe for you to spritz a mist over the engine to simulate rain and humidity. It’s ordinarily safe but I don’t want arcing wires to jump at you.
One hypothesis is arcing causes the ICM to overheat. Is it attached to clean metal for heat transfer?
Recalling our ‘93 5.8, you might need to run it without the air cleaner and intake snorkels to see the distributor and wires.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 198K miles
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
For grins, observe the engine running in the dark. If there’s a lighting show, maybe secondary cables are worn and arcing, worse when it’s wet or humid, and in need of replacement. Maybe the coil is compromised.
Someone can comment whether it’s safe for you to spritz a mist over the engine to simulate rain and humidity. It’s ordinarily safe but I don’t want arcing wires to jump at you.
One hypothesis is arcing causes the ICM to overheat. Is it attached to clean metal for heat transfer?
Recalling our ‘93 5.8, you might need to run it without the air cleaner and intake snorkels to see the distributor and wires.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 198K miles
Someone can comment whether it’s safe for you to spritz a mist over the engine to simulate rain and humidity. It’s ordinarily safe but I don’t want arcing wires to jump at you.
One hypothesis is arcing causes the ICM to overheat. Is it attached to clean metal for heat transfer?
Recalling our ‘93 5.8, you might need to run it without the air cleaner and intake snorkels to see the distributor and wires.
Sixto
07 E350 5.4 198K miles
The ICM has a very large heatsink it sits in and has good air flow around. Im pretty sure it failed due to my cranking over and over and for a long time.
Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,549
Likes: 2,669
From: Near Salt Lake City
I do not see those fender mounted ICMs fail much at all
I sure would be looking at the capacitors in your processor for the stumbling problem
I sure would be looking at the capacitors in your processor for the stumbling problem
Trending Topics
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
If its never been open I guarantee the capacitors are shot!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,264
Likes: 438
From: IL
Has all the indications of a cracked distributer cap. Runs alright until it's damp or wet, then won't restart until the next day. I've had that happen a few times, we used to spray the cap and wires with WD40 to get them to start, just because we were always broke as kids and couldn't afford new cap and wires...LOL
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
I Replaced one years ago and that fixed the problem back then. This is a separate issue.
Thanks.
I replaced one years ago, in my case only one capacitor was bad and that solved the problem back then,
That was a separate issue. Like I posted above, Im sure I ruined the ICM by over cranking and for too long.
This particular crank no start issue has been resolved by replacing the ICM on Sunday morning.
Thanks.
Thanks.
That was a separate issue. Like I posted above, Im sure I ruined the ICM by over cranking and for too long.
This particular crank no start issue has been resolved by replacing the ICM on Sunday morning.
Thanks.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,040
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
Has all the indications of a cracked distributer cap. Runs alright until it's damp or wet, then won't restart until the next day. I've had that happen a few times, we used to spray the cap and wires with WD40 to get them to start, just because we were always broke as kids and couldn't afford new cap and wires...LOL
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Has all the indications of a cracked distributer cap. Runs alright until it's damp or wet, then won't restart until the next day. I've had that happen a few times, we used to spray the cap and wires with WD40 to get them to start, just because we were always broke as kids and couldn't afford new cap and wires...LOL
.Its been doing this for years and with several different caps. I dont know where water would be getting in, but Its not much of a problem unless I forget
to not flood the hood when washing or forget to put a tarp over the hood when it rains, it barely rains here at all so thats not a big deal.Thanks.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 793
Likes: 25
Today I installed a new air filter and oil breather, cleaned up the hood seals and the whole area under the hood where water could get in. Curiously right where the ECM plug is there is a large section of plastic missing and water can easily flow right over the ECM wireing. I moved one of the seals to protect the wireing and I wrapped this stuff called rescue tape over the ECM plug and wireing to protect it. I am going to fabricate a cover or barrier to protect the ECM wireng.
I dont think water can get to the ICM but I am going to wrap the connector next time I do some work under the hood. I also degreased as much of the engine as I could, next weekend I will do some more. It was around 90 degrees while working on the van.
