93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

USE THIS FORUM FOR ANY ELECTRICAL QUESTIONS SUCH AS WIRE COLOR CODES, BLOWING FUSES OR WIRING SHORTS.
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Topic author
barnaclebill
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 8:14 am

93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by barnaclebill »

Been a while since I've been here.

My 93 quit going down the road, had it towed to my house.

Been working on it a few days, found the orange wire going to an aluminium box in the passenger door frame is grounded.

What is that box? Looks difficult to remove, is there any tips on how to get at it?
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WoodButcher
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Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by WoodButcher »

That is your computer, you must have the toe kick off if you can see the box. Couple screws hold a bar over the box then unplug the wiring harness.
I can't tell you which wires are ground w/o looking it up but I'll bet there is more than one.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro. :)

Topic author
barnaclebill
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 8:14 am

Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by barnaclebill »

Thanks. I figured it out, took it out and found a fried little part right in the center.

I ordered a used one from ebay, got it and installed it and the engine started up but does not run very good.

My question is will this fix itself or will I have to get it reprogramed?

Topic author
barnaclebill
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 8:14 am

Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by barnaclebill »

Thanks, I figured it out, took it out and found a little part in the center of the board fried.

I ordered a used one from ebay and put it in today, truck started up but runs rough.

My question is will it get better using it or will I have to have it programed?
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WoodButcher
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Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by WoodButcher »

I think you'll want to swap your original memory chip into the replacement. The computer you bought may not be for your van. The unit may have been from an awd or not, a different rear gearing maybe, there were a few things burned into the chip that were model specific and may affect drive-ability.
My '93 I have done a 350 swap with a G20 van. I can swap the computer with either motor but I need to run the chip that came with the V8 motor.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro. :)

Topic author
barnaclebill
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 8:14 am

Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by barnaclebill »

Thanks for the tip.

The problem is I do not know what the memory chip looks like or how to swap it.
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Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by WoodButcher »

2 screws on the aluminum box holding a flat plate.
DSCF3428.JPG

The semi-triangular plate in the pic. Remove that and you will see a memory module similar to your home computer. Press the tabs at either end it pops out of it's slot, press the ne one back in and done.
Remember to disconnect the pos. battery cable when working on the computer.
'93 Safari shorty, 350 swap
'05 Astro AWD, lifted, 6 liter, cammed, ported and programmed for fast.
'69 G10, straight 6, 3 onatree, jumped at me when I had a pocketful of cash looking for a spare astro. :)

Topic author
barnaclebill
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 8:14 am

Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by barnaclebill »

Thanks.

I am getting an education, things are a lot different than when I worked on cars 30 years ago.

All kinds of things I am trying to get my truck running.

I took the old ecm to a friend who is good with electronics. he looked at it and said the part burned up was a diode and he replaced it with one he said should work. I tried the truck with old computer and it started but still did not run right but better than the ebay one.

When the throttle is opened it acts like it is not getting enough fuel.

Right now I am taking the EGR valve out to clean it, after that I will try to figure out if the cat converter is plugged.

The next thing I will try to check is the fuel pump pressure, but I think it is OK, I took the pump out and it looked good and sounds good.

Topic author
barnaclebill
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
Posts: 9
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 8:14 am

Re: 93 Astro ECM1 Fuse Blows if key is on

Post by barnaclebill »

Well, finally got it running.

I put the memory chip in the ebay ecm , ran a little better, checked fuel pump pressure, it was 8 psi so I put in a new pump motor.

The idle is a little rough, but I can drive the van.

Going to look at idle sensor next.

Open for ideas. thanks.
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