Re: HELP! My '73 squareback died!

[Dirk Wright <wright@pioneer.uspto.gov>]

On Tue, 27 May 1997, Pamela wrote:

> 
>  I had to replace the brain
> (computer) about 2 years ago and it seems to be having the same
> problems, the car is only running on 2 cylinders, at least it sure seems
> like it. 

Are you up for getting grubby in the engine compartment? There's a bunch 
of things to check, but basically each cylinder needs both spark and gas 
to function. If in fact you are only running on 2 cylinders, then it very 
well could be the ecu box ("brain"). First, look around the engine bay 
for loose connectors and/or frayed wiring in the FI harness. If one of 
the injector leads is grounded, then only the other 2 will fire (the 
injectors fire in pairs). This condition will quickly destroy the output 
transistors in the ecu box. If the leads are OK, then check each injector 
with an ohm meter for shorts. Each one should have a low value, and they 
all should be the same. With the engine running, pull and replace each 
injector lead one at a time to see which ones aren't firing. That's a 
start, anyway. 

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Dirk Wright 		wright@pioneer.uspto.gov 	       1971 BMW 2002
"I speak for myself and not my employer."               1974 Porsche 914 2.0
"A real hifi glows in the dark and has horns."            1965 Goodman House
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