1988 Chevy Celebrity ECM bad or something else?

HENDER665

MEMBER
1988 CHEVROLET CELEBRITY
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
93,000 MILES

I have been working on this car for some time now, replacing any part that I think is failing or has failed. I just started to dive into the computer systems to address the check engine light that has had me distracted. Code 43 knock sensor(ESC), replaced that. Also replaced the thermostat and cooling fan because it needed that. The light still comes on and when it does the engine looses about 20-40% of its normal power and when the light is off it returns to normal. Should I look into the EST or the ECM or is there something completely diffrent going on here I do not understand? Thank you for your time.

5 Replies

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

Code 43. Knock sensors are critical of the torque when installed 17 psi. If thats ok I would lean towards ecm. This year they needed to be replaced in every celebrity

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Monday, June 2nd, 2008 AT 12:20 PM

HENDER665

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I replaced the ECM and things seem to be working great, I went for a road test and things seemed much better. The second road test should confirm if that was the problem or not because I see this problem more when the vehicle is hot. I will keep you updated and thank you for your time.

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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 AT 12:04 AM

MELEN01

MEMBER
13 POSTS

I'm have a problem. My ECM blows fuse constanlty so a put in a strip of metal to avoid that. It stalls requently and it just gobbles gas like crazy. Should I change my ECM? What do you think.

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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 AT 1:23 PM

HENDER665

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I think that replacing it would be a good idea, but my question is what is causing the fuses to blow, it sounds the electrical problem could be from a short in the ECM or it could be coming from somewhere else completely. My advice (I AM NOT A MECHANIC) is you should have it addressed by a professional. Now the stalling part, most people are going to say check out the TCC and the TCC Solenoid sometimes it does not disengage and will cause your car to stall once you reduce speeds and come to a stop. I'll try and send you more information about that if I can find the article I was reading just a few days ago.

Again im not a mechanic so get an experts advice but this is what I am thinking.

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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 AT 7:56 PM

MELEN01

MEMBER
13 POSTS

Thank's. That sounds very logical. If the fuse blows then there must be a short somewhere. I haven't thought of that. I'm not a mechanic my self. I just try to repair my car and avoid the $$$ if you know what I mean. I'll appreciate your info on this subject and I will do just that. Check if there is a short. I'm an electrician so it should be easy for me( I hope ) to find a short on my wiring on the computer. Thanks a million and hope to hear from you soon. George from Sunny Puerto Rico.