No codes, no check engine light, even on start up

[Brackneyc]

Hey guys, sorry I didn’t do a proper introduction. But I’ve got a problem I’ve not seen before, ever.

My new to me 95 atx, has stalled a few times since I’ve had it. Initially I thought it was the fuel pump, so I replaced it.
It stalled again the next day. After a few minutes, it started back up. Wasn’t running great, but I got home.

funny thing, I never saw a check engine light. I then realized I wasn’t even getting a light upon start up. So, I checked the bulb, and that socket was getting power.

trued to see if there were any codes stored. I used a nice Snap-on tester, and it showed nothing.

when I jumper the eec, the fan kicks on for a second, then off.


So here I am, with at least one major issue (the stalling and no restart) and too many possible issues to just be throwing money at it.

Thoughts?

I was thinking cps, DIS, Ecm. This is the one time I’d love to see a CEL.

Thanks.

 

[zoomlater]

Welcome!

Can you give us some background on the car? Mileage, maintenance history, etc. Does it stall at idle or at speed. Does it stall after completly warmed up or while the engine is still warming up.

 

[Brackneyc]

139,000. Had 60,000 mile service. Last time it stalled, I was doing 55. Once in the driveway, idling, it stalled again. All the times it stalled, it was warmed up completely.


I don’t know a lot about the car. Has new plugs and wires. I cleaned the IAC and throttle body.

When it’s running, it seems to run great, then it just shuts off. Usually about 10-15 minutes later, it will restart.

 

[zoomlater]

Are you able to look under the car to see if the water pump is leaking at the bottom. The crank position sensor is located under the water pump. When the pump leaks on the crank sensor it will shut off until the it cools down again, then the engine will restart.

So did you get 1,1,1 codes with your tester or no codes at all? There is a way to connect a light to count the flashes if the check engine light isn't working. Its on a post somewhere on the forum. Need to look for it. It would be really helpful to see what codes are stored.

 

[Brackneyc]

Are you able to look under the car to see if the water pump is leaking at the bottom. The crank position sensor is located under the water pump. When the pump leaks on the crank sensor it will shut off until the it cools down again, then the engine will restart.

So did you get 1,1,1 codes with your tester or no codes at all? There is a way to connect a light to count the flashes if the check engine light isn't working. Its on a post somewhere on the forum. Need to look for it. It would be really helpful to see what codes are stored.

I checked for any signs of leaks. Appears bone dry. I did find the procedure to test for the codes, and I get nothing, not even the 1,1,1 code. I’d loved to have gotten that. .


The system appears to be getting some power to it. But I’m not even able to get the good code out if it. The closest I get is the fan kicking on to let me know it’s connected. At least this is what I was told should happen.

 

[zoomlater]

You can look at this thread to try the paperclip method, I can't seem to find the post using a light, but from what I recall, you add a light to the jumper in order to count the flashes

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/i-have-1995-sho-and-engine-shuts-down.139807/#post-1515608

 

[Brackneyc]

You can look at this thread to try the paperclip method, I can't seem to find the post using a light, but from what I recall, you add a light to the jumper in order to count the flashes

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/i-have-1995-sho-and-engine-shuts-down.139807/#post-1515608

Already tried the jumper wire and paper clip method, with a test light. Either it has no codes (highly unlikely) or whatever stores/sends codes is not working properly.

 

[yaycandy]

Already tried the jumper wire and paper clip method, with a test light. Either it has no codes (highly unlikely) or whatever stores/sends codes is not working properly.

As long as the cel comes on when the key is on, if cel dont come on at all and car wont start then the computer is bad. Happened to me before but i highly doubt thats this issue here as i caused that on me when i took the battery out when the alternator regulator broke and it like instanlty fried the computer as it was running and me revving it to see the volts off the alternator.

 

[Brackneyc]

As long as the cel comes on when the key is on, if cel dont come on at all and car wont start then the computer is bad. Happened to me before but i highly doubt thats this issue here as i caused that on me when i took the battery out when the alternator regulator broke and it like instanlty fried the computer as it was running and me revving it to see the volts off the alternator.

cel never came on, or comes on, even upon initial start up of the car.

I tested the socket before replacing the bulb, and it gets power. Something not connecting between the computer and the EEC.

 

[yaycandy]

cel never came on, or comes on, even upon initial start up of the car.

I tested the socket before replacing the bulb, and it gets power. Something not connecting between the computer and the EEC.

Yea maybe not on the old sho’s, had that cpu issue on my 90’ miata and most of it says ford. Usually the cel comming on with key on lets you know the computer is working. Maybe ford is different then what im used to.

 

[Brackneyc]

Yea maybe not on the old sho’s, had that cpu issue on my 90’ miata and most of it says ford. Usually the cel comming on with key on lets you know the computer is working. Maybe ford is different then what im used to.

Anyone ever replaced the computer one of these. Is it a pain. Sho Source has them.

 

[yaycandy]

Anyone ever replaced the computer one of these. Is it a pain. Sho Source has them.

If the car start the computer works. It at least did start before. Wiggle around the ecm connectors and try again. Dont replace computer...yet. Find it and clean the plugs. Look around at all major engine connections and clean them. May just be corrosion on the plug to the cpu.
My guess with it randomly stalling and not starting now. And when it does, stall. Again Id check your ecm plugs and everything to it. The computer is probably fine, it just has old connections

 

[Brackneyc]

If the car start the computer works. Dont replace computer...yet. Find it and clean the plugs. Look around at all major engine connections and clean them. May just be corrosion on the plug to the cpu

Good call. That’s the first thing on the agenda tomorrow. Now, I could google it, but this might be easier. Where is it. lol.

 

[yaycandy]

Good call. That’s the first thing on the agenda tomorrow. Now, I could google it, but this might be easier. Where is it. lol.

Somewhere on the passenger firewall on the 95. I think behind the glove box or under the hood still in the glove box area on the firewall. Either in the car or under the hood. But in that area lol. I cant really remember but im sure its in the place im thinking of. Somewhere in that area. A bad area for a computer

 

[Brackneyc]

Somewhere on the passenger firewall on the 95. I think behind the glove box or under the hood still in the glove box area on the firewall. Either in the car or under the hood. But in that area. I cant really remember but im sure its in the place im thinking of.

Should be easy to spot. A module with a ton of wires coming out of it.

 

[zoomlater]

its behind the glove box, bend the sides in so the rubber bumpers clear the sides
so only the check engine light doesn't light up, do the other lights come on when you turn the key

 

[luigisho]

The pcm is behind the glovebox. The back end with the pins extends through the firewall where the wiring harness plugs in.
There is an integrated bolt on the wiring plug-- that fastens to a threaded hole in the pcm. This has to be unscrewed before the wiring harness can be removed from the pcm. The pcm can not be removed until the wiring harness is disconnected.
Sometimes you get a car that had a programmed chip plugged into the port in the housing and those can cause shorts and issues. Also the pcm can go bad. You should at least get the all clear code if nothing else.

 

[Brackneyc]

its behind the glove box, bend the sides in so the rubber bumpers clear the sides
so only the check engine light doesn't light up, do the other lights come on when you turn the key

Yes, all other lights come on. Airbag, battery, oil light, etc.

 

[luigisho]

Very unlikely.. but it wouldn't be the first time the CEL bulb was removed.

 

[Brackneyc]

Very unlikely.. but it wouldn't be the first time the CEL bulb was removed.

That was the first thing I checked. Switched it out with one that was working. Still a no go.