Car died while driving, Now NO Check Engine LIght

[jpratt]

I was out driving car and t just died on me. Tried to restart and there is not check engine light when the ignition is turned on. I can find all kinds of no start troubleshooting but not one that deals with no check engine light.

I put a tester on the coil/module pack and nothing. Can the 2 be related?

[Keller]

Don't forget that when you get a repeated "12 12 12" when testing the ECM for codes, that is a code that means something. It means that the ECM is OK.

http://www.gnttype.org/maint/malf.html#12

Could be something as simple as the ECM/IGN fuse.

[kenmosher]

No Check Engine Light probably indicates a fuse ... as Scott suggests.

Next I'd check the orange wire from the battery to see if there's corrosion where the connector joins, bad battery cable connection, etc. Then move to the connector to the ECM itself and look to see if there's corrosion (pretty common if there's a windshield/T-Top leak for water to drip on top of the ECM and cause havoc). Finally, I'd try swapping the ECM.

[jpratt]

I purchased a new positive battery cable a few months ago and installed it AFTER this problem so I know at least the battery lug portion is new and non-corroded. I check power at the ECM orange wire and I get 12V with key on and off.

I have not jumped the ALDL terminal yet, I was relying on the check engine light and power logger to show a fault code. I will jump the ALDL this afternoon and see if anything is stored.

What do you guys think about the check engine light out and the coil pack going at the same time? I guess it could be possible that the check engine light is just burned out. I will have to pull the dash later and swap bulbs.

Will scan master show a code even if the check engine light is not lit?

[Ts86ttype]

If you have a manual there is a chart for no SES light... It is called chart A-1. Do check the fuses... The ECM fuse supplies power to the SES light and when you turn on the ignition the ECM grounds the circut and will turn on the light for a bulb check. Don't forget to check your grounds... A car can shut down and not set any codes... Tom G.
Here is the chart right below the manifold pic...http://www.tomsttype.com/html/downloads.html. Hope this helps.... Tom G.

[jpratt]

Originally Posted by Ts86ttype

If you have a manual there is a chart for no SES light... It is called chart A-1. Do check the fuses... The ECM fuse supplies power to the SES light and when you turn on the ignition the ECM grounds the circut and will turn on the light for a bulb check. Don't forget to check your grounds... A car can shut down and not set any codes... Tom G.
Here is the chart right below the manifold pic...http://www.tomsttype.com/html/downloads.html. Hope this helps.... Tom G.

That is what I have been looking for, thank you very much.

[novaderrik]

unplug your ecm and check the condition of the pin where the orange wire goes in- last summer, the same thing happened on my 84 right after i put a fuel pump in it- no start with no check engine light. turns out the ecm pin that the orange power wire goes to had corroded and broke off from the ecm.
my fix was to upgrade to the 87 ecm, and i've got to find where the water that runs down that side of the interior is coming from.

[jpratt]

Every check has passed except spark/coil module test. So I made a purchase from NOS4GN bought both coil and module.

Viola, she starts and runs again. O'Reilly coil and module failed again.

Still need to remove dash and now replace the check engine light.

[Keller]

Ah...so the CEL was bad. Still should have show the code on a test instrument.

No matter what, the AC-Delco coils/modules seem to last longer than the Brand-X ones. Can't speak for the "high performance" coils offered by some sources, but the I would not touch the general non-GM replacement stuff. Too many tales of bad experiences.

[jpratt]

I know what you mean. I am going to buy a spare from NOS4GN and keep it on hand.