Questionproblem is car stalling out when first start of the day. after new spark plugs and timing, shop cleaned throttle body, replaced icm/idle control motor, but problem was still there. they showed me that the new icm worked, but that the computer wasn't sending the proper signal to the icm to make it work. shop checked out everything and only other problem they could find was the coolant temperature sensor wasn't sending correct reading. so after $450 and 4 visits to 2 different shops, rather that install a new computer, they proposed and did a "mickey mouse work around". they put in something to block the idle air bypass passage and increased the throttle opening and increased the idle speed. but i'm still having same stalling out problem when first start the car everyday. i have to let the car sit and idle for about 10 minutes, then i can drive away and all is fine and car doesn't stall out. thought that i might get a used computer (found internet source for dismantlers selling used from $40 to $125).
any suggestions? thanks for your time.
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Followup To
Question -
1990 mercury sable with 3.8 litre 6 cyclinder.
where is the ECM engine computer on my car?
is this something that i could replace myself
without any special tools or electrical knowledge?
thanks for your time.
Answer -
Hi Jon,
What seems to be the problem? Are you sure you need to replace the PCM/ECM/ECU? It's located on the firewall towards the passenger side near the strut tower.
AnswerHey Jon,
Guess what? There are no chokes on todays cars. Guess how todays cars start cold? The computer reads from the temp sensor to tell it how to mix the air and fuel. If the temp sensor is wacked, it won't let the air fuel mixture compensate for being cold or hot. Replace the temp sensor and have who ever repair the work around they did before it causes you a real nightmare.
