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-   -   Kind of an emergency (https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/problems-service-repairs-42/kind-emergency-47524/)

donbrew Aug 16, 2013 09:08 PM

OK, I watched the vid. My "final answer" is: you may have bumped the connector or otherwise mucked a wire to the ECM (EngineControlModule). That is one of the modules under the Darth Vader hood in front of the fuse box. The large bundle of wires is real easy to bump into, some others have had that particular problem.

Or you somehow got the top and bottom of the fuse box partly disengaged.

I got nothing else.

jaytheredneck1 Aug 16, 2013 10:17 PM

The job actually entailed removal of both the fuse block and ECM. I'll recheck the fuse block plugs tomorrow, but literally everything else works.

donbrew Aug 16, 2013 10:33 PM


Originally Posted by jaytheredneck1 (Post 716812)
The job actually entailed removal of both the fuse block and ECM. I'll recheck the fuse block plugs tomorrow, but literally everything else works.

AhHA! the pins on the ECM connector. New bettor.

The starter motor circuit is controlled by the ECM.

jaytheredneck1 Aug 17, 2013 10:41 AM

all ECM pins present and accounted for, all straight and shiny.

donbrew Aug 17, 2013 01:11 PM

I fold.

jaytheredneck1 Aug 18, 2013 05:54 AM

I don't know, but the computer is acting strange, complaining of low fuel(when the car was filled just before the job), and having forgotten everything but the od reading. Seems like there is a missing ground somewhere. I'm going to remove the fuse block again, check everything and re-install.

jaytheredneck1 Aug 18, 2013 07:16 AM

ok so removed computer, connected battery and everything is the same with or without computer.

Can the ECM just lose its **** from being disconnected for a period of a week or so? Is it common for an ECM to need reprogramming afterward? That doesn't make sense, I mean what if my battery had died, I'd have to reprogram?

843de Aug 18, 2013 08:37 AM

OK, back to the beginning if you will, was the battery disconnected before you began the clutch job?

The ECM only loses what data was stored in the "Learn Down" mode, so the fuel trims it established in adaptation to your driving style would be lost, but not its basic programming. So you'd notice a lack of "zip" for a few hundred miles until the ECM goes through the "Learn Down" mode again, that holds true if it's disconnected for 30 minutes or a month.

Never attempt to start a vehicle with the ECM or any powertrain module unhooked.

My concern is if the battery was still connected during the teardown, the module may have received a voltage spike, that'll kill them in a heartbeat.

jaytheredneck1 Aug 18, 2013 10:07 AM

Disconnection was the first thing I did, because the second step was removal of the fuse block

843de Aug 18, 2013 11:10 AM

Just had to check on the battery disconnect, glad you did things correctly, too many folks remember to unhook the battery after the bright flash and burning smell.

I hate to suggest it, but maybe going back and retracing your steps one more time is in order, and it's a pain...been there myself.

If it still isn't functioning, you're probably going to need to consider hauling it to a tech so they can attempt to interrogate the ECM with a scanner.


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