Hi folks. I am new here as of last night. This place is like finding an oasis in the desert. Great site. Let me say first that I have searched this question on this forum and although it's been asked a few times I haven't seen an answer. So let me phrase my problem. My '86 F-150 I-6 with eecIV won't advance with the spout plugged in or not plugged in. I went to pull the codes and[here is the question that I seen posed but never answered] if I use a voltmeter the voltage starts around 12 and NEVER moves. If I use a test light the light comes on and NEVER goes out. If I could pull my codes I'm sure I could fix my problem. As it is now I have no acceleration and really really poor mileage. Thanks in advance folks. It's great to be here.

 

Advance isnt directly controlled by the ECM its self. There is a slight mechanical advance that may be stuck and you might be looking for another distributor. If you cant pull any codes from the truck check the EEC/ECM fuse. If the fuse is blown or there is a break in the power or ground wire it will prevent you from getting anything off the dataport.

 

Mechanical advance? Would like to know more about that. I don't have duraspark and no vacuum is involved with my distrib. And where might I find the EEC/ECM fuse? In the fuse box under the dash or is it an inline job? I only have Haynes for wiring and they are not that good. I would like to know where to find the fuse to which you refer. Regarding a break in the power or ground wire is that something I should troubleshoot from the test ports back to the under dash computer? Thanks for responding.

 

Go here. Scroll down to the middle of the page, it has detailed instructions on pulling your codes. When you have the jumper connected you will hear your vacuum solenoids cycle, then codes will then begin to flash out. Also there is no mechanical advance on the eec-iv ignition system, all advance is computer controlled. One other thing there are two spout connectors make sure both are reconnected, go there for a picture of the spouts. http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html#timing

 

Alright, Bigted...

Welcome to FTE!

Nope, not the normal voltmeter action. When you turn the key on the needle should sit at zero, then make really distinct sweeps to 12v and back. When it is doing it, it is pretty obvious.

No advance + no codes = no computer function . (You already knew that.)

My understanding of the referred document and the design of the system is ONE spout connector per vehicle - two different configurations used... both illustrated so you know what to look so when you don't find the one, you can find the other. I could be wrong, but that's how I see it.

I don't know of a fuse in the fusebox for the computer. Again, I could be wrong, but I don't see anything labeled as such.

There is, however, a power relay to the computer, right up along side it under the dash. About an inch cube. Bad power relay, no power to computer, no computer function. (You already knew that. ) About a $20-$25 part.

Hopefully that will be it. To find out go to your Haynes manual 36058 Ford Pickups and Bronco 1980 thru 1996 page 4-18 table General EEC-IV Power and Ground Checks. Replace the power relay if indicated by your test results, check the grounds carefully, and hopefully you regain computer function. If not, you should be able to get a rebuilt computer from your local parts store for $100-$150. (Don't bother calling your Ford dealer, they won't have it.)

Good luck. Please post the solution when you arrive at it so everbody (I) gets to learn from your experience.

Oh, by the way, just for the sake of being thorough, you could check the continuity of the spout connector and wire, but the fact that you can't access codes makes me think the spout wire isn't the issue, but rather the computer isn't functioning.

Again, welcome to FTE!

Peter

 

Si\orry guys your wrong. There is mechanical advance even in a cc dist. Pull one apart and you will see what I'm talking about.

 

I have an 86 f150 300 and I do not have a mechanical advance. TFI system uses a hall effect device. I guess you can say that half of the hall effect is mechanical in nature, but with electronic background I wouldn,t consider it a mechanical advance.

Not being a mechanic...my guess....I would check the integrity of the spout wire and check the connector terminals to ign. mod. and ground. I think the mounting screws inside the dist. are also for the ground for the hall effect device. Don't know if the ignition mod or computer would fail with no advance. Mine has always failed and would not start.

The computer code problem...Had hard time with mine also. Cleaned all connectors and verified integrity. The wires in connector were in the wrong position. Can pull codes now but patience is a virtue....long pauses and a specific procedure required or false codes come up.

 

I'm sorry I was wrong, I was thinking it was the same style as another type of early ford feedback systems use. I retract my statment.

 

Hi guys. I want to thank you all for taking an interest in my problem. I have been fooling with this thing for most of the day and now I am tired and frustrated. I don't want to make a firm comment but I think the solution will be with the batt. ground to the computer. I am going to fall back in on it tomorrow. I will try and give a detailed step by step as to how I have been troubleshooting this issue then. So far this problem has given me every false clue you can imagine. One for the books. I'll report back tomorrow.

 

You were right about the fuse. It is a fuse link and it comes off the starter relay and goes directly to the computer. I also found out today that with the eec relay unplugged and the computer unplugged I was still able to start and run the vehicle. I am not directing that last part towards you it's just that I've seen a number of posts that claim the engines won't start without both in play so I thought I would put that to rest.

 

Sorry man but if the computer is unplugged on an EFI EEC-IV vehicle it will NOT run. Number one is there is nothing firing the injectors if the computer is unplugged, also the ignition would not fire either without the computer telling the coil to fire. On a carbed engine yes but not EFI.

 

Hey mdstud. Yeah the thing is carbed. Carter 1bbl. And it does run without the computer and without the eec relay. I got a wiring harness from the salvage yard and I am going to try that soon to see if I can then pull codes and get my timing to advance. If the md in your name stands for Maryland then you know it's been too cold to work in the driveway latley. Oh a heated garage would be so fine.

 

Ya Im heading back that way actually pretty soon, Im in CO right now and dayum its cold, but anyway I thought in '86 the eec-iv system was only used with electronic fuel injection?

 

Have a nice trip back. By the time you get here hopefully I will have worked this thing out.

 

You may want to track your ECM ground. My 85 4.9 has a separate ground attached to the negative post. The connector near the post was bad and that caused a battery drain and the ECM went inoperative. But you are not mentioning a battery drain in your thread.