
Computer issues-S.O.S. help
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
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Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Gary, when you did the column swap some wiring got moved. I think there's a clue there somewhere. I'd start checking continuity. 

1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
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Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Well we got the idle thing resolved.Swap out the IAC motor and the 65lb cop car injectors and bam-it ildes like it should.I think this is a case of a mod that wasn't done correctly with the computer.Now we move on to the swap to Ole Yellar with the trans rebuild done first.BTW-I am planning to build a killer tranny with TCI componets.More to come later this wk about that.
Thanks all for your suggestions,
Gary
Thanks all for your suggestions,
Gary
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:52 am
- Location: Tallahassee,Florida
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
what about the timing?You check that yet G?
94 Astro cargo EXT----Bought specifically to mod!!Will be tbi 350 v8 and new front end conversion
Done so many v8 s10's their old news
Done so many v8 s10's their old news
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
That's a good point,but as I said,we got it to idle normal with a change of the IAC motor,swapping out the Cop car injectors,and a different fuel TBI reg.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
-
- I finally get the smurf thing
- Posts: 114
- Joined: Tue Aug 05, 2008 6:52 am
- Location: Tallahassee,Florida
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
cool.....
94 Astro cargo EXT----Bought specifically to mod!!Will be tbi 350 v8 and new front end conversion
Done so many v8 s10's their old news
Done so many v8 s10's their old news
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Well now that I am getting the engine out of the donor with the wiring harness,and although I got the idle down,I never got the data link to hook up with the computer.Kind of looks like I'll be checking the harness one pin connector at a time.Any suggestions???.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
-
Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
The weird part about it is the engine would start and run,but wouldn't scan.I would think if it had a short on one of the sensors,that would show up during a scan,but it wouldn't scan at all.All it said was it wouldn't commuciate at all.That was with two different computers too.Still need your support to figure that one out. ](*,)
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
- Posts: 2667
- Joined: Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Orlando, FL
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Gary, Is it OBDI or OBDII? I had the same problem with a OBDI system and never did figure it out. The motor ran just fine so I let it go at that. 

1996 Safari SLX Hotair balloon transport vehicle
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Smiliesafari wrote:Gary, Is it OBDI or OBDII? I had the same problem with a OBDI system and never did figure it out. The motor ran just fine so I let it go at that.
OBDI with a TBI.It does kind of bothers me because if I have a issue at some point,I don't want to be left with shotguning parts to fix it.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
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- I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1354
- Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:41 pm
- Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
It's gotta be an open circuit between the diagnostic port and the 'puter. As was mentioned earlier, you'll have to check each of the wires one at a time...
"Just keep swimming..."
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"
Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
97' 4wd Safari
ZZ 502 Ramjet
4"L"80E/NP241C
Ford 9"
Kinky is using a feather.
Perverted is using the whole chicken.
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither
inclined nor determined to commit crimes".
- Thomas Jefferson
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Will do.Going to label each lead too.This is going to put me on the fast track on a learning curve.Got to check to see if what Rob gave me covers the wiring diagram.If not anyone got suggestions on line where I could follow one for a 1989 Astro??.peter wrote:It's gotta be an open circuit between the diagnostic port and the 'puter. As was mentioned earlier, you'll have to check each of the wires one at a time...
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Gary, I've got the electrical manual for the 89 Astro, so wiring diagrams won't be a problem. Let me get into them and I'll send you the wire colors and designations shortly.
But, for what it's worth, the data line out on my '89 was intermittent as all hell. It was tough to get real time data by use of a laptop while driving. I never did figure it out, but it doesn't matter now as I've carbed the van. However, the check engine light always seemed to flash any code that the ECM had, so I didn't worry much about it.
But, for what it's worth, the data line out on my '89 was intermittent as all hell. It was tough to get real time data by use of a laptop while driving. I never did figure it out, but it doesn't matter now as I've carbed the van. However, the check engine light always seemed to flash any code that the ECM had, so I didn't worry much about it.
Rob Shaver
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
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- I sleep in my van
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Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
First I would figure out if the real problem is the data port, the scanner or operator error. Did you try the paper clip method to check for codes? Did you try this scanner on another TBI van? Did you have the ignition on? There are only a few wires hooked up to the port so it should not be too hard to track them down.
Current:
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
01 AWD - Stock
98 AWD - Stock
Past:
93 4WD - 305 V8 - 5" lift - 31" tires
98 4WD DHC - 10" lift - 33" tires - Onboard air and Hydraulics - Snowplow
92 RWD - 350 V8 - lowered - 97 front clip
92 RWD - 350 V8 - converted to AWD - V6
91 AWD - 350 V8 - conversion van
94 RWD - 350 V8 - sons van
92 RWD - stock - sons van
93 RWD Shorty - project
89 RWD Shorty - parts van
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Gary,
Here's what I got from the 1989 wiring manual:

Lockdoc brings up some good points. There isn't much to the connections between the ALDL and the small plug on the ECM. Make sure that you get a good connection when shorting ALDL connector pins A to B when you want the SES light to flash the codes.
Here's what I got from the 1989 wiring manual:

Lockdoc brings up some good points. There isn't much to the connections between the ALDL and the small plug on the ECM. Make sure that you get a good connection when shorting ALDL connector pins A to B when you want the SES light to flash the codes.
Rob Shaver
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
1989 Astro 305 with an MSD 6A ignition and a dash-mounted MSD timing control, a 4160 Holley 465 cfm four barrel carb, and an HEI distributor.
Moog 625 front springs and Energy Suspension poly bushings. Rear OEM sway bar. Edelbrock shocks.
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Topic author - I plan to be buried in my van
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Mon Dec 25, 2006 9:50 pm
- Location: Rochester,NY
Re: Computer issues-S.O.S. help
Thanks guys.I'll post and picture what I find.
Call me Gary
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.
1985 Astro-"Ole Yellar"
1994 LT Astro
1981 Winnebago-"Baby"
12'dual axle enclosed trailer
The vendor trailer
Lead with my heart & take the hits because of it like a man.