Need Advise on Rebuilt EECs (Computers)

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Aug 25, 2010 | 12:15 AM

seedpress

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Need Advise on Rebuilt EECs (Computers)

I may need to replace the ECC in my Bronco. I've read that some people have solved problems by replacing the computers with a remanufactured unit. Others vehemently warm against getting rebuilt ones, and advise finding one at salvage instead -- which in my case may be difficult.

So, what would you advise? What has been your hands-on experience?

We have an AutoZone, Advance, O'Reilly, and Napa nearby. Napa says they remanufacture their own. AutoZone and O'Reilly have a brand called Cardone-Reman. Haven't checked Advance yet.

Are any brands noted for reliability, or notorious as junk?

Also, looking for a DIY EEC-rebuild tutorial. Electronics is one of my hobbies.

Aug 25, 2010 | 11:05 AM

b4hntn

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From: Longview, TX

I would suggest taking a LOT of time and studing everything at Ford Fuel Injection and consider the computer to be the very last thing causing a problem.

Aug 25, 2010 | 07:41 PM

greystreak92

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From: Gateway to the West

EEC computers are the single LEAST likely problem! They have a failure rate of about 1 in 10,000 and that is usually because some tech or owner shorts out the electrical system and fries it. If the truck is still running at all, the computer is not the problem. Follow b4hntn's advice first.

Aug 29, 2010 | 06:00 AM

Black Ford XLT

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From: Swansea SC

I agree with streak, that would be the last item i replaced,for other demons are making u think its that.TR

Aug 29, 2010 | 07:37 AM

ErrorS

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I once had smoeone tell me the computer in my Bronco was going out because of all of the weird electronic codes it was throwing..

well, I started replacing sensors while I researched the right computer to buy and all of the codes went away. The fact is, 3 sensors really were out. The only code I get now for any test are the beautiful: "1, 1, 1, 1, 1, your Bronco is awesome and not broken" code.

cost me a grand total of $45.. now, I just posted in another thread maybe 3 minutes ago telling someone his computer was probably out. He was throwing codes for every sensor in his vehicle though

Aug 29, 2010 | 12:17 PM

b4hntn

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From: Longview, TX

Question for the day. ..If the computer was fried how would it give you error codes? I'm just thinking...

Aug 29, 2010 | 11:59 PM

greystreak92

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From: Gateway to the West

There is a brand new thread right now that the OP basically has described what happens when the VREF power supply fails. In my opinion, this is about the worst thing that could go wrong with the computer without it actually FAILING. EEC computer will still generate codes even after the VREF power supply has failed. (Code 513 indicates a failed VREF power supply). Considering that code 998 designates a "hard fault" memory failure, the EEC computer should still be giving fault codes until or unless you get this code during a KOEO test. (You wouldn't get to run a KOER test with Code 998 because the computer would not initialize). So making an assumption that the problem must be the computer simply because you get a lot of fault codes is a viable consideration but not necessarily truth. In the case of a failed VREF power supply, alas it is integral to the computer so unless you feel like pulling apart the computer itself and doing the tedious work to replace the VREF transformer inside the casing.

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Aug 31, 2010 | 07:21 PM

seedpress

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My Follow-Up: Bad EEC

The problem turned out to be leaking electrolytic capaciotors in the EEC:

Quote:

b4hntn Question for the day. ..If the computer was fried how would it give you error codes? I'm just thinking...

Apparently the answer to your question is: YES! because, my problem was intermittent. See this thread for details:
Fuel Pump Keeps Going in Run Position - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
So when the computer worked, I would get codes. When it didn't, then I couldn't get anything.

Quote:

greystreak92 EEC computers are the single LEAST likely problem! They have a failure rate of about 1 in 10,000

That may have been true at one time, but electrolytic capacitors are inherently unreliable components, especially as time passes. The electrolyte slowly dries out, which causes overheating, which further dries out the cell, which makes it heat up more, and so on. It's a snowballing effect that changes the cap's properties, and may eventually cause it to burst or leak. I predict that more and more of these EECs with electrolytics will begin failing as the years pass. When they do fail, they can also wreck other components, as my photo illustrates.

Thanks for all the help!