Intermittent ECU Electrical Power Loss

[ZGN]

1992 RHD FD, with an intermittent ECU power loss problem that I am about to roll the car out of the garage and set it on fire.

It will intermittently loose power to the PFC ECU in which time the key is turned to the "ON" position the Power FC commander has no display, Odometer does not display, radiator fans do not turn on, no power to fuel pump. Radio has no power, windows do not roll down. What does work is the Starter, outside lights, and the annoying beep beep when key is in ignition.

I have checked and rechecked all grounds, reseated and checked all connections for corrosion.
I had to have missed something I just don't know what.

Any ideas?

[scotty305]

Sounds like the ignition switch may not be working in the 'on' position, or there may be a problem in the wiring related to the ignition key.

The lights and annoying key beep will work when the key is in the 'off' or 'acc' position also. The radio should work when the key is on the 'acc' position, so my guess is the key isn't turning to the 'acc' position, or the 12V input to the ignition key may not be working (that could cause the 'acc' and 'on' positions both to have no power).

[ZGN]

Thats possible, the stereo works in the ACC position but when in the on position I get nothing.

I applied 300 Cranking amps from a battery charger everything comes on now.
When I removed the battery charger under normal battery power everything works normal for now, but I am sure it will die again. Something is not making a good connection somewhere or some relay that controls all this is going out.

[ZGN]

We'll I have not been able to make it fail again. Troubleshooting a problem thats gone is difficult. I hate to make it up to DGRR or on the way and have it fail again.

Guess I'll just have to drive it until it quits again.

[Pete_89T2]

I agree it sounds like a bad connection internal to the ignition switch. After checking the wiring per the FSM, if it all checks out OK, I would just go buy a new ignition switch to install or just keep handy for the inevitable.

BTW, if you're in the habit of hanging a bunch of extra keys & stuff on your key ring it can shorten the useful life of most ignition switches. The extra hanging weight combined with the shock & vibration from driving tend to wear them out faster.

[ZGN]

on top of that my heater core is leaking, blocked it off for now.
and just went for a drive and my brand new SPEC stage III clutch with 500 miles is slipping.

[Herblenny]

Originally Posted by ZGN

and just went for a drive and my brand new SPEC stage III clutch with 500 miles is slipping.

All I can say is, I told you so

Buy Exedy Clutch!!! Its made in the mother land of your RHD FD.

[GorillaRE]

Originally Posted by Herblenny

All I can say is, I told you so

Buy Exedy Clutch!!! Its made in the mother land of your RHD FD.

Spec clutches are by far the worst on the market. I just don't understand how a company like them can E'f up building/designing clutches as bad as they do on every one of their products...

PS, Almost every clutch company out there uses Exedy friction disks FYI

-J

[Herblenny]

Also, I know someone with heater core..

I'll call and find out how much he want for it.

[ZGN]

Thanks!!! I have not pulled my dash to see if the HC is salvageable. I am going to fix the clutch 1st. should have the dash out next week.

[ZGN]

The turbo timer jumper was the cause of my intermittent electrical power loss. Now the question is why was this happening.

I think the arcing may be related to the previous owners install of the HID's

[vex]

That's no good. Was it exposed to coolant/water/dirt/grime at all?

[ZGN]

The 1st Spec stage III I had on my previous FD worked flawless, Never slipped once. It was perfect. I put a hard 20,000miles on it and it never failed me once.

I put another 130Km on it last night right to try to break it on before my interoir started smoking. The 3 wires to the passenger side headlights were fused/melted together also the Headlight switch on the steering column burnt through the plastic. I hope the rest of the harness is okey..

Disconnected the sterring column switch and going to put another 100+km on it during the daytime tomorrow then try one more time to see if it slips.

I'll be looking for a good RHD sterring column assembly if you have one let me know.

[ZGN]

Replaced with front Harness and now everything works as normal, I even have the proper voltage to my Fuel pump!!!

Thanks Tray/lt1_fd3s for the Harness. I would not be making it to DGRR this year in the FD without your help.