[Stewart]

Well that the car back (see wont go!),it ended up it was the ig ECU someone for some reason has had problems with it before.
But thats it running now just brought it back,so far everything seems fine,well just now anyway,I thought things like ECU's went for years,or do they?.
Or maybe something else has happened and they (whoever they are)opened the ECU and basically buggered it,I dont know,it's running again anyway.
So again thanks for all the help/suggestions that was given,but to be honest I would never have thought of it being that,simply because it was sparking,well at "start up" anyway,but it just shows you!.

 

[andrastauk]

Hi Jon

Glad to hear you have a running car.

Having had several updates and discussions on it and once you get it all nice looking some photos must be in order. Everyone here has got to know 'the beast' very well by now

 

[Stewart]

yep!,I can do that, but there's just one thing that's kinda niggling me now that Iv'e got it back & running.
When I start it I'm getting a "check engine" message and also an "ERR" code on the computer,is this something to do with the other ECU (ignition)I'm using from another car?.
I was reading the manual about the "check engine" message but all it say's is "you can still use the car,but will not get optimum performance consult a dealer".Is this just Saab's way of telling you that the ECU has to be "programmed" for my car,because I was told (by the guy who fixed it)it doesn't need to be programmed it "plugs in",is this right?.
So do I now have some other engine problem,that I didn't know about becuase the engine wouldn't start before,can anyone help!.

 

[gadgeteer]

Jon,

Have a look at this document - should help you work out what sensor is causing the MIL light to flash.

http://216.78.172.244/engine_folder/Trinonicflashcode.pdf

There's loads of other good info on this site for you

Cheers
Gadgeteer

 

[Stewart]

Gadgeteer,
I had a look at this you sent but it starts 93' and covers the trionic,mine's a 91' and LH jetronic,non turbo.
I'm getting "check engine" & "ERR",or am I not seeing something that's in there,can you/anyone help!,I'll have a look through the site.

 

[sgould]

Is your car new enough to be affected by running the engine with the fuel cap off? Mine has a warning on the cap that running engine with cap off can trigger engine fault alarm.

With all the things you've been trying you might have done this or something similar. From reading the boards, apparently this fault needs a few days/miles to settle down and switch off.

 

[Stewart]

Yea the fuel cap is ok,but Iv'e never heard of things like another ECU having to "settle in",dont get me wrong I'm not doubting your for a minute.
You think it just needs a good run and take it from that,I know it needs an oil change & filter he put new plugs in today.
Y'see I'm in a catch 22,it's not MOT'd or taxed yet (I'll book it in tommorrow),cause it's been sitting for about 9 months!,(so I'm told) so I'm very wary of running around in it just now to try it.

Cheers

 

[gadgeteer]

My mistake

try this link for the LH 2.4 ECU . . .
http://216.78.172.244/engine_folder/24codes.htm

I know the Trionic ECU needs to build up a driving pattern for the APC to 'adapt' properly.

See . . . http://216.78.172.244/Trionic/trionicpg1.htm for details.

If the LH 2.4 is similar it may settle in soon.

Gadgeteer

 

[Derek]

Jon,
Interesting that it was the ECU. Way back with my first 1985 Turbo it developed similar symptoms but only when it was hot. Ran fine from cold and kept going as long as I didn't stop the engine for more than 15 min or so. At restart would then fire a couple of coughs and do nothing more until it had cooled down for 30 or 40 mins.By elimination I eventually narrowed it down to the ECU. I removed the ECU, popped out the PROM and pushed it back in again. The car ran perfectly everafter.

 

[Stewart]

Derek

I'm going to a complete dimwit here,but when you say you "popped out the prom",do you just mean thats another name for the big block connector that plugs into it?

 

[Paul D]

PROM = Programmable Read Only memory (or Programmable ROM).

This is the memory chip which holds the data containing your driving profile, and is located internal to the ECU.

A word of caution: One needs to be careful when connecting/disconnecting chips so as not to bend pins, etc.

 

[Derek]

Not forgetting Electrostatic Discharge either.

 

[Stewart]

Oh!,I didn't realise you meant the "chip" inside,'mmmmm' I'm very wary of opening these boxes,infact Iv'e never opened one at all.
Although I have my old one which I told was nackered,pitty it couldn't be chipped!