QuestionOriginal problem was battery lght come on & car wld eventually run dead, to solve, new battery, replaced alternator. car drove fine for about 7mo. then problem returned battery run dead then suddenly last time driving battery ran dead when rechrgd batt, turn key to start nothing at all. so ckd starter, replaced computer module cuz was tol voltage regulator was located there. now car starts but shuts off after 5 sec.
AnswerHi Bnnie Gonia,
Do you have an anti-theft system in this convertible? The "start then stop in a few seconds" is what happens when an anti-theft system was armed but then has not been disarmed. The powertrain control module (pcm or what you called the computer module?) which you replaced has to be made aware of the anti-theft system's telling it that it is OK to allow the engine to run and if that 'handshake' is not recognized then the pcm will do exactly what you describe because it hasn't been given the 'word'.
If your car didn't have an anti-theft system when it was originally sold then a replacement pcm has to come from the same sort of a vehicle. If the pcm donor car had the anti-theft system then its pcm can only be used in a car that also has the anti-theft system. So I would verify this compatibility matter to start with.
When you got the replacement was that issue of whether or not the car has the anti-theft system considered by the person who sold it to you?
If you don't have the anti-theft system and the replacement pcm came from a similar "no anti-theft system vehicle", then we'll consider another approach.
Do you still have the old 'computer'?
Please 'rate' my answer (see below).
Roland
