Engine trouble..... Electrical???

I put the old ECM in the car and it turned over the first 5-8 seconds like normal. I pumped the throttle 2 times, hit the key again and the second time it bogged down slow turning again. so I think I might be able to rule out the ECM. It's old so I'm not sure it's good, just a quick test.

 

Timing is too far advanced, back it up and see what happens... If that doesn't fix it you have other problems...

To my knowledge ECM is Engine Control Module(computer, early/mid 80s and newer vehicles), nothing computerized about a '70s Ford Duraspark Ignition module...

 

I am going to take it to my mechanic next week. He doesn't do major electrical repair so I hope it's at least a semi easy fix. There is a local auto electrical shop but Labor is 99 bucks an hour. I am wanting to rewire it when I get the time, at least the dash. This has been a very difficult car to work on. Fun but difficult. Parts can be a pain.

 

Maybe to you but it makes sense to me to ask for a Ignition Control Module(which is what Ford calls it in the '76 Electrical Troubleshooting Manual)... Now days asking for a ECM will get you computer or at least a question what type ECM that could be for ABS, cruse control, interval wipers or 15-20 other control modules...

 

Ok I have fiddled with it some more tonight and have had a conversation with Craig, and he and I are thinking the same thing. I am leaning toward a timing chain jump. Small possibility that the distributor gear malfunctioned but highly unlikely.

 

Yeah we had a member on here lot long ago that had a chain jump, Bryant repaired it at his shop...

 

Yep those are ECM's all right -- ENGINE Control Module aka COMPUTER... Those are in another universe compared to a '70s Duraspark, HEI etc ignition module(which are simple throw away circuits)... The pictured ECM process input from the ignition module, throttle position sensor, MAP sensor, MAF sensor, Oxygen sensor(s), etc, etc etc... The ECM then sends out pulses to fire injectors... And yes I've repaired a couple myself, the one in my '93 Lightning had failed capacitors and another with same issue for a friend of Brian's I bought my Comet from... Like many ECM those are not available as new or even rebuilt, have to send the defective one in for repair as there are no cores...

 

My father and I share custody of a 99 SVT Cobra and the computer went out and I had to send it in to be repaired, because a new one cost over 500 dollars.

 

Interesting, In this ECM disagreement I count 3 posts from Krazy Comet and 5 posts from Comet Fever.

 

Ok guys. I've been with a new job past couple months and haven't had much time for other things. So we checked the timing today and the distributor was off two teeth...... Not sure how that happened because it was perfectly in time before, until we pulled the distributor..... It was seized up. It's brand new so the store is sending me a new one. We had to put it in a vice and grab my biggest set of channel locks to turn the thing and the gear teeth had some major wear for less than a mile of use. My concern is the the shaft teeth. could they be damaged? why all of a sudden was it two teeth off? Regardless the auto parts store said since my mechanic is licensed and owner, if there was additional damage it would be taken care of by them. I just don't want to get the thing back together and have additional problems.

 

Look down the distributor hole and see what the teeth look like on the cam.

 

Agreed, unless the dist gear had a defect, something damaged it...

 

I didn't see anything concerning on the shaft at a quick look, but i'm going to go through it thoroughly tomorrow. But the shaft on the distributor is seized up big time, hopefully it didn't damage anything.

 

Have you looked- thru- the gear pin, on the bottom of the dist. to see if it has sheared?

 

No, we knew it was part of the problem and took it back as a warranty item. looked s tear ome more today and didn't see much. Monday after work is when we hope to really tear into it.