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1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series All Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series models

Bad Computer?

Old Sep 5, 2009 | 10:18 PM
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Bad Computer?

I'm working on a 89 ranger 4cyl 5 spd for a friend after another mechanic messed it up. I found out today that it had a computer from a 94 mazda in it. The problem is when it has the 94 mazda computer in it I can enter diagnostic mode and read codes and the fuel pump works like it should but when I put the old 89 ranger computer in it I cant flash codes and the check engine light stays on all the time also when the key is on the fuel pump runs all the time, to me it sounds like the computer. What does eveyone think?
 
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Old Sep 5, 2009 | 10:47 PM
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sounds like the ranger computer is messed up
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 12:18 AM
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Get the right computer. I had to replace the ecu on my '91 and found out the hard way that theres about 50 different ecu and wiring harness combos for 4.0 rangers between the years of 89 and 93. The computer would plug into the harness but the timing wouldnt advance, the trans would lose overdrive, or some other issue would occur. I tried about 10 different ecus in my truck and all would run the engine but there was always an issue with something not functioning as it should. Long story short, get the right ecu for the truck. Until then you are just shooting in the dark with your troubleshooting.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 01:01 AM
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The 89 ranger computer I'm using is the right computer, its the one that came from the truck. But with the problems I'm seeing it leads me to believe that this computer is bad.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 09:29 AM
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85, did the other 'mechanic' make any changes to the factory wiring when the 94 ECM was installed? If he did, you'd have to undo those changes before condemning the 89 ECM. This is not a task to undertake without having the wiring diagram available, or another truck for visual comparison. It is also a job that can eat hours without result unless you can determine the current status.
If you can find a good used ECM from a boneyard, it would be a quick way to test, but as the other posts say, it has to be from the correct combination of engine, transmission, 2W or 4W, and Federal or CA emissions.
If you can get access to the shop manual, it has pinouts for every different version offered in that model year.
tom
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 01:07 PM
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It doesent look like the other mechanic made any changes to the wiring I got my hands on a ecm pinout from a 89 ranger and a 94 mazda and looking at the diagrams most of the wires line up even the diagnostic wires thats why it actually ran with the mazda computer but it threw codes because the mazda has a maf sensor and the ranger doesnt. I checked the wires in the truck versus the 89 ranger diagram and they all match up in the right spot and color code. I dont think the mechanic working on this was smart enough to unpin wires and move them he would of just cut them. I already check the wrecking yards and the only 89 out there that matches the one I'm working on is missing the computer so I got on the cardone website and it looks like there are only two computers the difference is manual and auto trans. I ordered the manual trans computer from autozone for $105 and it should be here by thursday because of the weekend. My oem number cross referenced to the cardone number so it should be the right one.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 01:39 PM
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Sounds like you are doing a lot more than the original mechanic. I don't know Cardone rules on the core, but it couldn't hurt to look inside. The ECM supplies ground to the fuel pump via a transistor. I'd bet the transistor is shorted, supplying ground all the time.
Probably not worth a whole lot of time investigating.
tom
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 02:27 PM
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Gentelmen!!! '94 PCM do not fit '89 Ranger.... Why!!??? First of all, different wiring harness, other sensors (for exmple '86-91 EEC-IV had MAP+IAT to calculate air mass, '94 has MAF sensor), '89 is 2 digit DTC codes, '94 - 3digit, '89 works with distributor, '94 - with coil pack!!!

do you really want to change wiring? Just use right PCM!
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 02:30 PM
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+ well, I do PCM rebuild, post me a picture and pull codes, may be I can help you to rebuild. sometimes you can change some resistirs, a couple of BUTs and may be diodes and supressors.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Pablo-UA
Gentelmen!!! '94 PCM do not fit '89 Ranger.... Why!!??? First of all, different wiring harness, other sensors (for exmple '86-91 EEC-IV had MAP+IAT to calculate air mass, '94 has MAF sensor), '89 is 2 digit DTC codes, '94 - 3digit, '89 works with distributor, '94 - with coil pack!!!

do you really want to change wiring? Just use right PCM!
You must have misread my post I'm not trying to rewire the truck to work with the 94 pcm I was explaining that the previous mechanic installed a 94 pcm and the truck ran but not right it would throw codes and stall. When I installed the original 89 computer the truck would run but the fuel pump keeps running with the key on and the check engine light wont go off and I cant enter diagnosis or pull codes. Both computers have a 60 pin connector I guess the other mechanic thought any computer would work as long as it came from a 2.3l. Also this 89 doesnt have a distributor it is a dual plug (4cyl 8 plugs) setup with coil packs.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by tomw
Sounds like you are doing a lot more than the original mechanic. I don't know Cardone rules on the core, but it couldn't hurt to look inside. The ECM supplies ground to the fuel pump via a transistor. I'd bet the transistor is shorted, supplying ground all the time.
Probably not worth a whole lot of time investigating.
tom
I think he just threw parts at it ( the wrong parts) trying to fix it.I took the cover off the ecm but nothing stood out. I gave autozone the 94 mazda computer as the core and I kept the original 89 just incase I run into problems and need the numbers from it.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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yeah, I understand, usually all actuators (including fuel pump relay) are controlled with 986T04. As I remember, FP relay pin is #22, so, about switch location, look at connector, U see sticker and it is up side up (LOL) right wall of EMC, the firts transistor near the connector (ECM wall is used like a cooler). Try to change it. remove clip and desolder it carefully (ore ask a pro), solder new one and try againe. Here this switch is about $1-3!! But you must solder like a pro to get no board damage. Use soldering gel.



Anyway pull codes. Sometimes reading PIP wrong PCM turns FP on. Getting trouble codes I can understand what's wrong. Clear all codes and post here current fault only
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 03:50 PM
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Since I already ordered the new computer I'm going to try it first, I might try to fix the old computer later. I've sodered on computer boards before(fixing gauges and tachs) but I never did like doing it. Thanks for the info about the fuel pump transistor. Also I cant pull codes the check engine light just comes on when the key is on and truck started. When I jump the connections nothing happens, no diagnostic mode at all in koeo or koer. I checked and the light is not shorted to ground.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 854x4
Since I already ordered the new computer I'm going to try it first, I might try to fix the old computer later. I've sodered on computer boards before(fixing gauges and tachs) but I never did like doing it. Thanks for the info about the fuel pump transistor. Also I cant pull codes the check engine light just comes on when the key is on and truck started. When I jump the connections nothing happens, no diagnostic mode at all in koeo or koer. I checked and the light is not shorted to ground.
Check the connector and board, may be corrosion.... and diagnostic connector wires are short so CEL and FP are always on when ignition is on. The problem is that FP relay wire, CEL wire and ign. wire are together in one harness and they may be short too!

http://fordfuelinjection.com/?p=6

Look at diagram and you will undestand.
 
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Old Sep 6, 2009 | 04:28 PM
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all actuators are negative wire controlled.
CEL and FP relay are negative wire controlled too, may be connector is OK and you have 2 short transistors. When EEC relay actuates, all actuators are supplied with 12V. So if transistors are short CEL is on and FP relay is on!
 
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