WhiteOut Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Okay, this is actually for my parents 99' Astro Van, but the basic idea should apply in any case. The damn van has been running like shit for like close to 50k miles, and my parents have put close to $4000 into it trying to fix it. Basically every sensor on the thing has been replaced as well as plugs, wires, injectors, and a bunch of other stuff. It trips the codes P0300 and P0135. The first indicates a random misfire condition in all cylinders and the second indicates a faulty O2 sensor #2 heating circuit. So being pretty pissed off that mechanics are basically just throwing parts at it I decided to take things into my own hands today. I took everything apart that I needed to in order to gain accesss to the engine. The wiring on the O2 sensor looked fine, and it was just replaced, so I'm sure its fine. No codes are suggesting a vac leak and all the injectors are firing fine. Plus the thing has good compression on all cylinders (total PIA to check by the way). So at this point everything I read points to the PCM so I remove it thinking why not throw another couple bucks at it. Then I find it. There are four wiring harnesses leading to PCM and the one labled red has a major issue as it turns out. Upon inspection of the wire bundle leading to it there is a major chunk missing from at least one of the wires in the bundle (likely caused by abbraison by the looks of it), the coating appears to have been pink. My Haynes manual lists that the O2 sensors do indeed have a pink wire leading from the heating elements, but the wiring diagrams fail to explain which harness the O2 wires are bundled into (so basically I don't know if I have the correct pink wire since there are four harnesses labled red, blue, black, and white respectively). I really think this is the problem, but I have no way to verify it, any ideas??? And, can I safely splice in a new section of wire to repair the destroyed one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farqineh Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 WhiteOut Hey, whaz hapn'n. Uh I dont think I could tell you much about the specifics regarding the Astro Van, however I have had a little experience with ECM, PCM, and IDM issues. Mostly IDM's (injector drive modules) I can tell you this for sure, try to use a high resistance volt meter on any wirey lookin shit comming outtuv a PFM box or theres a possibility you'll let the smoke out!! - funny little side note- My teacher for HD electrical courses used to say that there are no such thing as eletrons, and scientists are all liers. He said that everything ran on smoke!! Wires, relays, solonoids, and so forth all had smoke in them and thats how they all worked! He would say that there are two different kinds of smoke, cheap smoke, and expensive smoke. "Never let out the expensive smoke!!!!" He'd say PFM boxes usually contain expensive smoke ( 'PFM' by the way, is also a joke. It stands for 'Pure Fuckin Magic' ) Any way, about that wire. splicing into computer harnesses is somthing I like to to myself, and havn't had much problem with yet. But I tell you now, I chalk it up to luck. However in this case I think you should be fine. The biggest problem with splicing, of course is resistance in the wire causing a voltage drop and thus resulting in a bumm signal. Therefore the best splicing technique that I know of is soldering. Butt cons I dont recommend for low signal, computer type wiring. I never use them and I never will. Some say good, and some say bad. I go with what works for me. Also, never use acid core solder, as it will eventually rot the wire. Rosin flux core solder is the best for good results. Top It all of with a little heat shrink and voila.......WIRED!! Seeing as how your computer kinda is in question, your harness is in more of a question, and you have evidence of the possible issue. I can honestly tell you that I would definetly splice the faulty wire to see what happens, if it were my vehicle!!! Of course theres other talent here who may have a better idea. Maybe see what others have to say!!! 8) Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteOut Posted June 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Thanks for the reply man. I took the advice, I solderd in a short 1.5" piece of 18 gauge wire I had around, I made sure to use flux core as well. Borrowed some heat wrap and a heat gun from my neighbor who's an electrician and whamo!!! Suddenly my parents van runs fine. Go figure, almost $4000 spent at reputable mechanics and no result. Four hours in my hands and its fixed. HA!!! I told my parents they aren't allowed to call me worthless for at least another month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutlsp Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 good deal wish i had something like that i could do on one of my parents cars :? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farqineh Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Thanks for the reply man. I took the advice, I solderd in a short 1.5" piece of 18 gauge wire I had around, I made sure to use flux core as well. Borrowed some heat wrap and a heat gun from my neighbor who's an electrician and whamo!!! Suddenly my parents van runs fine. Go figure, almost $4000 spent at reputable mechanics and no result. Four hours in my hands and its fixed. HA!!! Most excellent my man. Glad I could help out. Coolness I have a question for you though. The little picture at the bottom of your display. Fuck......I dunno what they're called. Y'know, the bottom of your post I guess. The white cutlass. Is that your ride or just a pic? Cause if it's yours, I am curious about a few things regarding my cuttle ass. First of all, my car looks exactly like that one. Rimz and all. (course mine is totally deep fried) I was wondering about a few of the options that came in these things. Dunno, post a new thread or what??? ah hell whatever Anyway, Dude I bought this thing from told me the six disc was GM dealer install only. Apparently this heap was a demo car. Also the heads up display. What's the deal? You or anyone else got a comprehensive list 'o' shit a 94 cutty might have come with. Nice to know WTF just for curiosity sake. Thanx 'O' Lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteOut Posted June 16, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Thats my car. Its a tripple white 95' convertible, with the 3.4 and its fully loaded from what I can tell. I've never heard of any W coming with a factory 6 disc changer, but the HUD is factory equipment and was available through at least 93' if not 94' on the Cutlass. The cars didn't have too many options, there was the typical power equpment, a sport package that got you the LQ1, spoiler, and a stiffer suspension, stereo packages and a moon roof. I've got a 95' brochure with the options list I could scan for you if you'd like, it should be pretty close to what was offered in 94'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farqineh Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Oh Goody Sounds like I got me the sports package!! Bwwwaahhhahah!!! too bad about the LQ1 though POS!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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