1986 El Camino with a 350 engine Carbureted engine misses and has no power received a code 41 and removed the ignition module and had it tested at Auto zone it tested good. the white grease under the module was all dried out and mostly gone. I dont know what sends the distributer signals to the ECM so I dont know where to go from here. any help on this problem would be appreciated thanks Jim
Kev2: Thanks for the info. I was told that I should not use the clear dielectric grease but to stick with the white. A friend has some and I will have it in about an hour to reinstall the module. the vin number on the car is 3gccw80h2gs912115 The car came with a 305 and I swapped in a 350 but kept all the original bolt on such as the distributor etc. Where do I find the check timing connecter to see if it is open? JIM
Kev: forgot to tell that the only code was a 41 nothing else showed up
I have some checking to do not making sense on quick check. The list below does NOT show 41... did you swap ECM with new engine? 86-88 5.0L VIN H Carb DTC 34 MAP sensor signal voltage was too low (high vacuum) when engine speed was under 1200 RPM or the engine speed was over 1200 RPM with a throttle position angle above 21%. 42 The EST signal did not change when the ECM applied bypass voltage to the ignition module. 43 The ECM did not detect a knock signal during near wide open throttle operation with coolant temperature above 194° F or the knock signal was present for 5 seconds or more during normal engine operation. Edit your VIN out of the post only needed the 8th character "8"
Yes ECM was bad so I changed it out with a rebuilt one. it was the only one I could locate and I was told it was a rebuilt original unit from an 86 el camino Im in the San Diego area and smog laws being what they are in Calif. I tried to keep it original they do allow the same engine family the 350 was acceptable here
more time to look at this- you understand then the calif emissions issue might be the confusion. Suspect its not the earlier 4 terminal ICM. I searched and see 2 different ICM for 1986... Is this the ICM we are dealing with? http://www.wellsve.com/custom_searches/ ... 4#zoom=100
Yes that is it
Large banana ICM. Recomend you replace ICM - If you must know then read... don't worry as much about wire colors. start at the 2 terminal bottom inlink as it says 12V inside arch of sensor- red wire outside terminal is ground blue wire input sensor pos isto pick up coil gray input sensor neg is pick up coil green EST input from PCM is the center terminal white referance out PPL wire is next for tach if applicable bypass input is 5v referance tan/brn
Thanks for the info JIM
Kev2: replaced the ICM reset the codes and test drove 4 miles it ran fine until I came to a steep hill at that point it began to miss and became hard to run and stayed that way below 3000 RPM and a little rough getting it home. It reset code 41. I tested the pickup coil and it was at 410 I think this is a low reading? haven't tested the coil. Code 41 says no signals to the ECM. I have a second codes guide that 41 says EST circuit No reference pulses to the ECM at specified engine vacuum. What is it that transfers those pulses to the ECM? any thoughts on what to do next thanks for the help Jim
It is pointing at ECM (mem cal) I will need time to get wiring diagram - I hate condeming PCM's without exhausting all posibalities. Check your memcal is tight, as you did change PCM. My quick reference: will get more info Code 41 indicates an incorrect MEM-CAL has been installed or it is faulty. > Faulty connection due to MEM-CAL not locked in place. > Incorrect MEM-CAL > Faulty MEM-CAL.
according to my GM Trouble codes list 41 as it applies to mem-cal or ecm problems is directed to (FUEL INJECTED MODELS) MINE IS CARBURETED Is this correct? after installing the rebuilt computer in the car it ran well for about 3000 miles then it started to misfire and stall and set a code 41. I would shut it off and restart the engine and it would run fine for a 100 miles or so and then start to stall out again until I would restart the engine and then would be good for another 100 miles or so. it would repeat this process over and over until it got so bad and so frequent it would hardly run at all ?????
you have the -electric quadrajet- I try to forget that 'wonderful' set up. For the 3K miles it ran good? So we need to see what changed, did you do anything repair wise - modifications parts? why did you replace the origional PCM- This is an OLDIE - I am haveing trouble getting diagrams - my tech is geared to later models...will add what I find,time permitting I did not ask- vehicle is STOCK- no MSD - aftermarket chips, miracle magnets air filters etc?
Check engine light was on and would not pass Calif. smog in that condition. Could not pull any codes and could not get the the check engine light to turn off by disconnecting the battery. kept the original PROM put in the rebuilt computer and everything seemed to work as normal. Engine is (completely stock) except for cubic inches, 10 over 350 in place of the 305. It also has an open air filer canister instead of being routed through the tube on the original canister. it runs better when cold with more air. To get it to pass smog I do it warmed up and with the original canister. PS we sure agree on the quadrajet. I will check the pcm and make sure everything is tight. thanks again for the assistance. Could the pickup coil be a possible cause it tests at 410 om ? resistance spec seems to be minimum of 500 from what I can find out
pick up coil. With your DVOM set on the highest scale, touch one lead of your meter to the distributor body and the other lead to one of the terminals for the pick up coil (either the green or white lead. Your reading should be infinity or OL. Test the other terminal. Any reading less than infinity means the pick up coil is junk. With your DVOM set on RX10K scale or equivalent, touch each terminal with your leads from your meter. The reading you see here should be around 500 to 1500 ohms and the reading should be steady as the wires are wiggled.
I took out the PCM and removed and reinstalled the wiring harness. went 7 miles on a road test - hills, flat, slow, fast. Ran great. it is either fixed or I have an intermittent problem that is waiting to rear is ugly head again. Reset the code and it has yet to return I will check the coil when the engine compartment cools down. I will keep you posted on what happens as I drive it and hope I dont come home on a toe truck
Intermittent problem on 86 El Camino. Went to home depot about 6 miles away. Car ran perfect. parked it and was gone for about 30 minuets. Returned and the car was hard to start and RPM had dropped at idle to about 700 RPM from a normal of 1100 RPM and kept stalling Managed to drive it 2 blocks away missing badly. Went home on a tow truck. This morning when the car was cool it started rite up and ran perfect again. Suspect heat sink on some type of component while sitting on a hot day in the parking lot 87 degrees Tested the pick up coil and it was below 500 on the terminal lead test it tested 410 ohms. plan to change it when time permits. It reset code 41. Any suggestions or thoughts on this latest development.
no other code just 41. I would help if you gave the 8th character of VIN# to help id the engine series The ICM often will test GOOD at the stores even if bad- often failing from heat or mounting issues. I consider these modules just like ign points- disposiable. AC Delco only. That is NOT white frease it is "dielectric' grease a special product and needed to transfer heat...ask the auto store personnel for a small tube to remount and have. another possibility is the pickuo inside dist... An easy to overlook is the check timing connector might be open.