LF ECM

[-+Shadow+-]

Thinking about getting an ECM from a nearby junkyard.. Anything I should look for to make sure it's any good?

Also looking to see about switching my Mx3 over to HID's, any recommended sites I could look at?

[Ryan]

ECM why?

Not rusty, not smelling burnt. That is all.

[-+Shadow+-]

It will turn, won't start, and it's the last thing we've come to.. So I just figured I'd get one from a Junk yard to replace it so it'll run till I can upgrade it, though when it's in a JY, would the burnt smell still apply since it's probably been sitting?

(Thanks btw)

[Ryan]

it is very rarely the ECM, and when it is the ECM, is probable that its something else in the system frying it - ie - it will toast again unless you pinpoint the issue. Bad ECM ground will fry it. Incorrect inputs will fry it (from screwing in the wiring harness, likely with HEI)

Why would it be burnt from sitting? Do you know what burning PCB's smell like? Its very distinct if you know the smell.

[-+Shadow+-]

What you're saying makes sense... Though I would have no idea as to what else could have caused it to stop running... I was just standing around outside, letting it idle, and I realized after I was done talking that it wasn't running anymore... I've had more than one person look at it, though I only got one response, using that as what it was... Though when you replied, I just called an old friend of mine who's gonna come take a look at it. I'll give you the results, he'll be up friday.

I also thought about getting your opinion on the quality of these, since while he's up and I have a second hand, I should put it to good use haha
http://compare.ebay.com/like/2904658246 ... s&var=sbar

Honestly the only thing I've done with the car is add a new stereo, 2 cheap speakers since the back ones were blown, and bandpass subs.. none of that was huge, all cheap as well.. I was broke, but I had been fed up with the crap that was in it when I got it, lol..

Thanks though for everything Ryan, I've been looking for help on my issue for a long time...

[Ryan]

I don't know what you drive, but 90% of running issues are distributor related.

Have you made a thread about your issue? I don't recall.

The headlights are good quality. Honestly, use the search function. Those lights are the number one cause from flamage, because there are several megathreads on them.

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

Yeah..

If you were to search for it, you will find the single larget topic on this forum. Every noob has asked about those lights at one point or another.

And maybe try solving one electrical problem before starting a new one.

[-+Shadow+-]

I'm sorry for making the thread seem like it was about the lights, the cars a 94 mx3, the white one on my other posts. I had made a thread about my issue, though I made it ridiculously long, and deleted it after a day after I looked at it myself and knew that if I didn't want to read it, I figured no one else would want to either...

The ECM was the main thing I was trying to discuss...

And maybe try solving one electrical problem before starting a new one.

That is very true, but I had added it out of curiosity... since my car has been sitting I had a huge tree branch land on the car, then crush my headlamps and take off my drivers side mirror.. I now need new headlamps, so I figured if I had to replace it anyway, why not upgrade? It's got a lot of work I would like to do to it, and I'm trying to learn as I go.. So I thank you guys for helping me in anyway that you're willing to..

My main priority is to get it drivable, but a lot of my driving is at night, so being able to see better is something that I wanted to add as well....

Again, I'm sorry for the question about the headlights...

[Ryan]

You sound like a nice enough guy (or girl (cover my a--)). So its not likely that anyone will lash at you, its the pompous people with poor grammar who get s--- on.


Believe it or not, most of us like long threads, as this forum is what our fingers automatically type when we open a web browser... Its what I do when I don't want to do my homework, what I do during breakfast, and before bed... so a lot of the time. More reading material is never bad.

What he means by not adding another electrical problem is to not throw another variable in until you fix the previous one... because if you put in the "new" ecm, and it still doesn't run... is the the same problem, or does the "new" ecm not work?

[4gotn]

i agree, disty, probably a bad coil if its a b6 dohc. if its a sohc its probably just a bad cap/rotor :p. i would check for nice healthy spark.

[-+Shadow+-]

The car is a 94 mx3, 4 cyl... Basic stock since I've never had the funds to work with it and continue college as well. So right now I'm trying to work on getting it running until a recent settlement for a accident comes in and I can get something else... After that, this will become my project car...

Hopefully I won't be complete noob at this for too long, since if I do, or don't move I will start my mechanics classes. Computers have become too easy for me, so once I get my certification there, I'll work on part 2 (the mechanical knowledge).. It may be a month or so before hand to find out if we're moving, but right now I really just need to get it running again since due to the accident, we're (my girlfriend and I) without a vehicle...

Guess it's time to head outside and check what I can... I'll update you all asap.

[4gotn]

move to pensacola fl! theres lots of old people and no mx3s
on a side note you might want to modify your tag to list your cars specs (see belolw)
it helps

[-+Shadow+-]

I figured I would update you all on the fact that it was the distributor... So in the end all I need is a distributor and now a battery, and all should be fine...

On a side note, from my car sitting, I set mouse traps just to make sure... I caught one guys, lol.... *sigh* :/