Diagnostic Aids
Perform this test when directed by QUICK TEST . This test is only intended to diagnose EEC-IV portion of ignition system. For additional information on ignition system and component testing, see I - SYS/COMP TESTS article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE Section. To prevent replacing good components, be aware following non-EEC related areas may be cause of problem:
- TFI module.
- Ignition coil.
- Spark plugs and/or wires.
- Distributor.
- Secondary ignition short to ground.
This test is intended to diagnose:
- IDM circuit.
- ECA assembly.
| Application | Wire Color | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L HSC | White/Pink | |||
| 3.0L | ||||
| Federal (1) | Dark Green/Yellow | |||
| Probe | Green | |||
| Except Federal & Probe | White/Pink | |||
| 3.8L, Cougar 5.0L & Thunderbird 5.0L | White/Pink | |||
| All Others | Tan/Yellow | |||
|
||||
| Application | Wire Color |
|---|---|
| Continental & Mustang 5.0L | Pink |
| Probe | Red/White |
| Except Continental, Mustang 5.0L & Probe | Yellow/Light Green |
1) Continuous Memory Code 14/211 Code 14/211 indicates 2 successive erratic Profile Ignition Pick-Up (PIP) pulses occurred, resulting in a possible engine miss or stall. Check for following possible causes of fault:
- Loose wires or connectors.
- Secondary ignition short to ground.
- On-board transmitter equipment (2-way radio).
Repair any problems found as necessary. Clear code, and repeat QUICK TEST . If problem is not found, go to step 2) for vehicles with Computer-Controlled Dwell (CCD) or step 3) for all others. See ENGINE/VIN ID article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE Section for ignition system application.
2) Code 18/212: Check IDM Circuit Continuity (CCD) Continuous Memory Code 18/212 indicates loss of IDM input to ECA. Possible causes for this fault are:
- Open or shorted circuit in wiring harness.
- Faulty TFI module.
- Faulty ECA.
Turn ignition off. Disconnect 60-pin ECA connector. Inspect terminals, and repair if damaged. Install EEC-IV Breakout Box (T83L-50-EEC-IV), leaving ECA disconnected. Disconnect TFI module. Measure resistance between test pin No. 4 at breakout box and IDM terminal at TFI wiring harness connector. If resistance is 5 ohms or less, go to step 4). If any resistance is more than 5 ohms, repair open circuit. Clear codes, and repeat QUICK TEST .
3) Code 18/212: Check IDM Circuit Continuity (Non-CCD) Continuous Memory Code 18/212 indicates loss of IDM input to ECA. Possible causes for this fault are:
- Open or shorted circuit in wiring harness.
- Faulty TFI module.
- Faulty ECA.
Turn ignition off. Disconnect 60-pin ECA connector. Inspect terminals, and repair if damaged. Install EEC-IV Breakout Box (T83L-50-EEC-IV), leaving ECA disconnected. Disconnect "E" core ignition coil and TFI module. Measure resistance between test pin No. 4 at breakout box and IDM terminal at TFI wiring harness connector. If resistance is not 20,000-24,000 ohms, repair open circuit. Clear codes, and repeat QUICK TEST . If resistance is 20,000-24,000 ohms, go to step 4).
4) Check IDM Circuit For Short To Power (Except VREF) Turn ignition off. Leave TFI module disconnected. Measure voltage between breakout box test pin No. 4 and negative battery terminal. Measure voltage between test pin No. 4 and test pins No. 40 and 60 at breakout box. If voltage is more than 10.5 volts, repair short circuit. Clear codes, and repeat QUICK TEST . If voltage is 10.5 volts or less, go to step 5).
5) Check IDM Circuit For Short To PIP & VREF Turn ignition off. Leave ECA and TFI module disconnected. For shorts to PIP, measure resistance between test pins No. 4 and 56 at breakout box. For shorts to VREF, measure resistance between test pins No. 4 26 at breakout box. If either resistance is 10,000 ohms or less, repair short to ground in IDM circuit. Clear codes, and repeat QUICK TEST . If each resistance is more than 10,000 ohms, go to next step 6).
6) Check IDM Circuit For Short To Ground Turn ignition off. Disconnect "E" core coil on vehicles without CCD. On all models, set DVOM to 200-k/ohm scale. Measure resistance between test pin No. 4 and test pins No. 40, 46 and 60 at breakout box. If each resistance is more than 10,000 ohms, go to step 7). If any resistance is 10,000 ohms or less, repair short to ground in IDM circuit. Clear codes, and repeat QUICK TEST .
7) Check TFI Module Turn ignition off. Connect ECA to breakout box. Connect TFI wiring harness connector. Set DVOM to 20-volt scale. Connect DVOM between test pins No. 4 and 16 at breakout box. Start engine. Observe DVOM for voltage surge while lightly tapping on TFI module to simulate road shock. Wiggle all TFI wiring and harness connectors. If fault (voltage surge) is indicated, disconnect and inspect TFI harness connectors and terminals for damage. If connector and terminals are okay, check ignition system. See I - SYS/COMP TESTS article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE Section. If fault (voltage surge) is indicated, go to step 8).
8) Check ECA & Harness Connectors Turn ignition off. Disconnect ECA 60-pin connector. Inspect connector for damaged pins, corrosion and loose wires. If connector is damaged, repair as necessary. Clear codes, and repeat QUICK TEST . If connector is okay, go to step 9).
9) Check ECA For Short To Power Turn ignition off. Connect ECA to breakout box. Disconnect TFI module. Measure voltage between test pin No. 4 at breakout box and chassis ground. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between test pin No. 4 and test pins No. 40, 46 and 60 at breakout box. If either voltage reading is more than 10.5 volts, replace ECA and repeat QUICK TEST . If both voltage readings are 10.5 volts or less, go to step 10).
10) Check ECA For Short To Ground Turn ignition off. Connect ECA to breakout box. On models without CCD, disconnect ignition coil. On all models, disconnect TFI module. Measure resistance between test pin No. 4 and test pins No. 40, 46 and 60 at breakout box. If resistance is more than 10,000 ohms, check ignition system. See I - SYS/COMP TESTS article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE Section. If resistance is 10,000 ohms or less, replace ECA. Remove breakout box, reconnect all components and repeat QUICK TEST .