Engine Code 15 and 49

[91MochaSHO]

I just was checking my Computer for codes and got. 15 - Failure in ECA - problems with Keep alive memory. 49 - EDIS - Spark Advance Word (SAW) Signal Error or SPOUT signal changed timing to 10degrees BTDC. I think I may have gotten code 15 because I left my lights on overnight and the car was completely dead. But I am unsure about the code 49. I checked the SPOUT shorting plug and it is in place. I replaced the CAM sensor less than 2 years ago. Any suggestions as to what else could cause the problem. I havent recieved a CE light. But occassionaly the car misses horribly but recovers and drives fine. I have cleaned out oil in the spark wells and I have new replacement parts on the way. Also I noticed a leak in my cooling system. Finally I found this one, could smell it but couldnt find it. It coming near the thermostat housing. Its not the radiator hose, but there is another fat hose that is rather short and fat and runs towards the firewall or to the front head i'm guessing. There's another small hose that perpendicualarly plugs below it and runs up to the throttle plate area. Does anyone know the designation p/n for that hose. I just ordered A-E.

Would the spark advance word have anything to do with the Knock Sensor???

<small>[ May 23, 2002, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: 91MochaSHO ]</small>

 

[KYSHO]

I have no words of wisdom for you since my SHO uses three digit codes but that car is beautiful. One of the best I have seen stock.

 

[sdpatt]

Was the code 15 in the memory grouping of the fault codes? If so, the dead battery may have created that one on the next start up. To check this, clear the codes by running the EEC test and unplugging the jumper while the codes are flashing. Then run the test again to see if the code reappears.

15 (O) No Keep Alive Memory power to PCM pin 1 or bad PCM (Memory Test Failure)

This code would usually be associated with an EPROM chip, but your signature states that your car is strictly stock. The code 15 could indicate either that the keep alive memory power connections are not hooked up to the battery or that there is a bad portion in the computer's memory. Is there a second, approximately 10 gauge wire attached to each of the battery terminals? Check each if the wire paths to verify that the connectors are still intact. If they check out and the code shows up again, you may have a bad memory chip in the EEC.

The code 49 is described as 49 Electronic Ignition - spout signal circuit problem - Ignition Systems. Is your engine very short on power as if the timing is defaulted to 10 degrees BTDC? With the SPOUT plug removed, that is the result.

Here is the site where I obtained the code descriptions -> http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/2digit.html It also has a good description of the testing procedures and outputs by following the "EEC Tests" link near the top of the page. I'm not sure of all of the possible causes for this code. The severe stumble you described indicates there is an engine control problem somewhere. Maybe naval-avi8or can help out here. He has found an excellent source of EEC test data.

 

[91MochaSHO]

I had reset the codes in the EEC. But i havent rescanned the computer yet. I will tonight. But I am wondering if possibly the code 49 could be a result from misfires. It would make sense, i guess. Cause the Knock sensor would pick up misfirings and then the computer would re-adjust timing accordingly. I guess if it is misfiring horribly, like when the engine hiccups momentarily while I am driving. This might create a code 49. Anyhow, I have new sparkplugs, ignition wires, coolant hoses on order. I also have the Felpro valve gasket set. We'll see what happens when I do the work. BTW, I am still running on the original ignition wires...

 

[naval-avi8or]

You may also want to see if both spout connectors are in and making good contact. If the code was never cleared from a previous timing check I suppose it could be an old code being stored in the memory.

 

[sdpatt]

The knock sensor does not detect misfires. It is tuned for the high pulse of the pre-ignition shock wave. The code 49 was due to a fault in the electrical engine control system. Does your engine feel low on power?

Scott

 

[91MochaSHO]

Yes, it does sometimes. It seems to be sluggish. Sometimes it hiccups once or twice on a trip as I stated earlier. Although I am not ******* the car, nor do I race around town. But I have noticed i need to downshift more often on hills. It seems to come and go...

 

[91MochaSHO]

Okay I was coming home at 200am this morning praying I would make it home without any problems. Well I did but my SHO acted up once again. I have checked all the Shorting connections and all those are set. Ok so I am coming home. Of course she acts up. As i am driving it instantly loses total power and the tach drops right about to 0. Then it pops right up and everythings ok. Then I stopped at a convenience store to get a soda. Push the clutch in, she stalls. Get back in the car, took a long time to crank. Finally starts after a couple trys. Kiss the dashboard and pray she makes it all the way home. She does! This is driving me so crazy. I have no idea what is causing this problem? I have been getting code 15 and 49. Although that was a couple days ago, i cleared it today. Now since i drove it, ill check for codes later on after I get some sleep. Could it be a CPS, cause I do not get any error codes that relate to the CPS, but the symptoms sure seem to reflect a bad one?

Really stumped and annoyed SHO owner....

 

[AutoSHO]

91MochaSHO:
Could it be a CPS, cause I do not get any error codes that relate to the CPS, but the symptoms sure seem to reflect a bad one?

Really stumped and annoyed SHO owner....

In a word, yes. The CPS sensor is to blame. You also said that you smelled coolant, and that is what is causing it to do this. Your water pump is weeping out water or one of the seals behind it is bad. It drips onto the sensor and then eventually fouls it. After it dries out a little bit it will read again. Yours is in the early stages of failure. If you havent dont it recently, changing the water pump, timing belt, and CPS would be a good idea now. Good Luck!

 

[naval-avi8or]

It does indeed sound like your CPS is failing. I still haven't came to agreement on this coolant leak thing causing them to fail. I have a brand new one waiting to be put on my water pump has been leaking for some time now and I'm just waiting for the spare time to do the job. But as I was saying I have a new one that I've looked at as well as another sho member and I have discussed how a totally sealed (by potting) switch or sensor could fail.

 

[91MochaSHO]

Update... I do not get a code 15, guess I can't count the pulses LOL. Its actually code 14 not 15. So that is the intermittant loss of PIP which is the caused by a bad CPS. So i'm gonna get that replaced and that should cure code 49 also. I had the waterpump replaced at about 110K. I dont believe it is leaking, but I'll have Ford check it out when it goes in. The coolant was leaking on the the otherside of the engine and I have since fixed it. Thanks for the input everyone!