whats with these modules? code 42

Mactizen · 10-10-2008, 04:07 PM

Since i got my lack of boost issue solved 2 weeks ago i've had nothing but issues with ignition breakup, 4400 - 5500 rpm randomly under load, no load slow reving will rev till whenever u let off. I've found a ton of threads on a few boards that all say keep buying new modules some people ending up going through 6-7. This one seems almost identical to my issues,

ignition module trouble no spark 2nd new module - TurboBuick.Com

I've checked everything, had my entire harness out of the car and gone thru wire by wire for shorts or anything sketchy looking at all, replaced literaly every sensor i have except TPS. Took the car for a ride again today code 42 and 4500 break up. It also breaks up if i punch it in P or N for a short burst.

I think i'm just venting cuz i have got about 6 hours sleep or so in the last 3 days i have been working on this straight aside for a quick 10 hour round trip to Just a Six's house, he hooked me up with a cam sensor and crank sensor to try for the weekend and to no avail its all the same. He also hooked me up with some bad ass cupcakes from his wife ! so thanks again for those

Glen @ nos4gn sent me this coil and module and he says there is about a 1 in 200 failure rate in modules that seems insane to me. He said he can send me a new one but at this point I'd really like to make sure its even worth doing that.

Anyway if anyone has any more ideas that I'm forgetting/ can't find and Just a Six hasn't thought of let me know.

-Mac

Mactizen · 10-10-2008, 04:30 PM

Since most ppl probly don't know the car, its a GN swapped 84 Mazda RX-7 and the new replaced parts list is as follows.

Module and coil - maybe a month old
cam sensor - 2 days old
crank sensor - 2 days old
knock sensor - replaced in spring with new short block install
wires - taylor - 2 months old
2 sets of plugs delco and NGK gaps ranging from .025-.040 and everything inbetween
tried a friends known good ECU
3 TT chips for my 79 lbs injectors
2 TT chips with my MSD 50 injectors
tried my translater + in a friends GN
tried my ESC module in same GN and nothing

I tired my module/coil in his car and it seemed ok but he only revs to 5K and sometimes my issue doesn't show till 5k +

More_Boost!! · 10-10-2008, 05:28 PM

Have you Tried a known good Coil pack and Module?

Where do you live ??

Just a Six?? · 10-10-2008, 06:54 PM

His Coil & Module should be ok as its New from Glen but?? Good idea to try someone elses that works 100% Also, with a timing light hooked up after 5K RPM the light will miss a beat when it breaks up. I am no good with this stuff but its funny that after 5K it does this? I had it do it to me but it was the Direct Scan messing up back then. He is in Windsor so not like here where 20 guys have parts to trade. I was sure it was a bad wire but the harness came out & Mac is an elec tech so he is handy with a multi-meter. Really confusing! We have tried everything I can think of? I mean everything!! Ideas on what we missed guys?? C'mon elec guys! Norbs, Bill ideas please?

Just a Six?? · 10-10-2008, 06:59 PM

Mac,
I have a 100% GOOD Coil & Module you can try for the cost of postage? Just came off my car & is 2 years old & guaranteed good.

Maybe grab some Autolite 23 plugs. never know at this point & spares are good.

Mactizen · 10-10-2008, 10:43 PM

well it doesn't seem likely that plugs would be setting this code 42 but i guess a third set isn't to expensive and worth a shot.

I tried my coil and module on a friends mostly stock car and it seemed fine BUT he only revs to about 4900 where somtimes it hits the breakup at 5200-5300, it didn't set the code but it wasn't in the car long as it was late....... for him.

Mactizen · 10-10-2008, 10:44 PM

o ya the reason i did that was b/c i was worried that maybe something in my car was "frying" modules and i didn't want to buy him one and myself another one.

gbsean · 10-10-2008, 11:22 PM

just a thought....you double check all your grounds...specially the one on the coil pack bracket

daveismissing · 10-10-2008, 11:49 PM

Were you still using your prom and calpack when you swapped ECM?

Quick Toy · 10-11-2008, 10:24 AM

Mactizen
The grounds for the coilpack and the grounds for the MAF are separate circuits, and some of the wiring is amazingly long.
Adding a extra wire will improve the spark signal ground

The ECM and Ignition Module share a ground. The Translator Plus gets its ground and power from the MAF circuit. The EST signal is not high amplitude (4 volts) so any problems with the grounds have an impact on the signals....And, since the Translator Plus is connected to this wire (EST) there can be issues related to it.

The grounding idea is to connect the Translator Ground and the Ignition Module Ground circuits together. So run a wire from ignition module pin D (4th from the firewall) or ECM pin B3 (Black/Red wire) to one of the black wires on the Translator Plus.

Remember to keep the wiring away from Spark Plug and Injector wiring.

After wrapping the two sets of wires from the Trans+ (one going to the MAF connector and the other to the MAF harness) with foil and grounding the foil my Code 42 and popping problems have not recurred.

Also if you are running DirectScan...
Code 42 can be caused by noise getting into the DS ribbon cable. ECU resets can also happen. Shortening the DS ribbon cable, or using a short one works pretty well as a fix. Shielding the DS ribbon cable with foil or braid (connected to ECM case) works too.

And, Are you running alky? If so there is a glitch than can happen, but there is a fix. Let me know if you are, and I'll send you the fix info.

HTH
Paul

BigMike · 10-11-2008, 12:34 PM

I had these problems when I had a Direct scan. Not all the time, but a couple times to really piss me off.

Mactizen · 10-11-2008, 02:58 PM

no direct scan, just a scan master

when i switched the ecu it was a different prom and calpack, i have tried a total of 6 different chips in the 2 ecu's

i guess i'll have to try wrapping some of these wires and see what happens, i've added grounds and nothing really changed.

Mactizen · 10-11-2008, 11:58 PM

added grounds to maf and translator wiring and also to the module ground

pulled each ground from the ECU and connected it together to another solid ground,4 of them on the wiring diagram are straight to ground.

.
.
.
NOTHING

i'll have to try wraping them in some sort of foil, they arn't near anything anyway but i guess i'll try it out.

10-10-2008, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mactizen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 66	whats with these modules? code 42 Since i got my lack of boost issue solved 2 weeks ago i've had nothing but issues with ignition breakup, 4400 - 5500 rpm randomly under load, no load slow reving will rev till whenever u let off. I've found a ton of threads on a few boards that all say keep buying new modules some people ending up going through 6-7. This one seems almost identical to my issues, ignition module trouble no spark 2nd new module - TurboBuick.Com I've checked everything, had my entire harness out of the car and gone thru wire by wire for shorts or anything sketchy looking at all, replaced literaly every sensor i have except TPS. Took the car for a ride again today code 42 and 4500 break up. It also breaks up if i punch it in P or N for a short burst. I think i'm just venting cuz i have got about 6 hours sleep or so in the last 3 days i have been working on this straight aside for a quick 10 hour round trip to Just a Six's house, he hooked me up with a cam sensor and crank sensor to try for the weekend and to no avail its all the same. He also hooked me up with some bad ass cupcakes from his wife ! so thanks again for those Glen @ nos4gn sent me this coil and module and he says there is about a 1 in 200 failure rate in modules that seems insane to me. He said he can send me a new one but at this point I'd really like to make sure its even worth doing that. Anyway if anyone has any more ideas that I'm forgetting/ can't find and Just a Six hasn't thought of let me know. -Mac

10-10-2008, 05:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
More_Boost!! My GN has a baby seat Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The Great White North EH. Posts: 2,716	Have you Tried a known good Coil pack and Module? Where do you live ?? __________________ A closed mouth gathers no feet

10-10-2008, 06:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Just a Six?? I Buried Beachbum Here! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 10,628	His Coil & Module should be ok as its New from Glen but?? Good idea to try someone elses that works 100% Also, with a timing light hooked up after 5K RPM the light will miss a beat when it breaks up. I am no good with this stuff but its funny that after 5K it does this? I had it do it to me but it was the Direct Scan messing up back then. He is in Windsor so not like here where 20 guys have parts to trade. I was sure it was a bad wire but the harness came out & Mac is an elec tech so he is handy with a multi-meter. Really confusing! We have tried everything I can think of? I mean everything!! Ideas on what we missed guys?? C'mon elec guys! Norbs, Bill ideas please? __________________ 87 LTD. Purchased May 88 Doeskin leather, coach lites, moonroof & carpeted trunk. No Factory Hood Ornament! Special order by the VP of GM Canada! Not another like it! Lots of Go Fast goodies! 11.5 is as Fast as I go! Thats what the track told me! It's a Small World, but I wouldn't want to Paint It!! PS: My name is David & I have One screen name everywhere!

10-10-2008, 06:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Just a Six?? I Buried Beachbum Here! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto Posts: 10,628	Mac, I have a 100% GOOD Coil & Module you can try for the cost of postage? Just came off my car & is 2 years old & guaranteed good. Maybe grab some Autolite 23 plugs. never know at this point & spares are good. __________________ 87 LTD. Purchased May 88 Doeskin leather, coach lites, moonroof & carpeted trunk. No Factory Hood Ornament! Special order by the VP of GM Canada! Not another like it! Lots of Go Fast goodies! 11.5 is as Fast as I go! Thats what the track told me! It's a Small World, but I wouldn't want to Paint It!! PS: My name is David & I have One screen name everywhere! Last edited by Just a Six?? : 10-10-2008 at 07:03 PM.

10-10-2008, 11:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
gbsean 1 of 64,000,000 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Flanders, N.J. Posts: 10,282	just a thought....you double check all your grounds...specially the one on the coil pack bracket __________________ 11.599 @ 119.91 eat that Ferret Joe and JoeNational Tuning in Progress Sean Ryder Buick Performance Group Vice-Chairman www.buickperformancegroup.com see thread for Engine Specs http://www.turbobuicks.com/forums/wa...tml#post680751 happy now Rich

10-10-2008, 04:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mactizen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 66	Since most ppl probly don't know the car, its a GN swapped 84 Mazda RX-7 and the new replaced parts list is as follows. Module and coil - maybe a month old cam sensor - 2 days old crank sensor - 2 days old knock sensor - replaced in spring with new short block install wires - taylor - 2 months old 2 sets of plugs delco and NGK gaps ranging from .025-.040 and everything inbetween tried a friends known good ECU 3 TT chips for my 79 lbs injectors 2 TT chips with my MSD 50 injectors tried my translater + in a friends GN tried my ESC module in same GN and nothing I tired my module/coil in his car and it seemed ok but he only revs to 5K and sometimes my issue doesn't show till 5k +

10-10-2008, 10:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mactizen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 66	well it doesn't seem likely that plugs would be setting this code 42 but i guess a third set isn't to expensive and worth a shot. I tried my coil and module on a friends mostly stock car and it seemed fine BUT he only revs to about 4900 where somtimes it hits the breakup at 5200-5300, it didn't set the code but it wasn't in the car long as it was late....... for him.

10-10-2008, 10:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mactizen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 66	o ya the reason i did that was b/c i was worried that maybe something in my car was "frying" modules and i didn't want to buy him one and myself another one.

10-10-2008, 11:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
daveismissing ancient Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 85	Were you still using your prom and calpack when you swapped ECM? __________________ GM's finest: '87GN ...Worst: '02 Rendezvous The other other other other other Dave(TM).

10-11-2008, 10:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Quick Toy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,429	Mactizen The grounds for the coilpack and the grounds for the MAF are separate circuits, and some of the wiring is amazingly long. Adding a extra wire will improve the spark signal ground The ECM and Ignition Module share a ground. The Translator Plus gets its ground and power from the MAF circuit. The EST signal is not high amplitude (4 volts) so any problems with the grounds have an impact on the signals....And, since the Translator Plus is connected to this wire (EST) there can be issues related to it. The grounding idea is to connect the Translator Ground and the Ignition Module Ground circuits together. So run a wire from ignition module pin D (4th from the firewall) or ECM pin B3 (Black/Red wire) to one of the black wires on the Translator Plus. Remember to keep the wiring away from Spark Plug and Injector wiring. After wrapping the two sets of wires from the Trans+ (one going to the MAF connector and the other to the MAF harness) with foil and grounding the foil my Code 42 and popping problems have not recurred. Also if you are running DirectScan... Code 42 can be caused by noise getting into the DS ribbon cable. ECU resets can also happen. Shortening the DS ribbon cable, or using a short one works pretty well as a fix. Shielding the DS ribbon cable with foil or braid (connected to ECM case) works too. And, Are you running alky? If so there is a glitch than can happen, but there is a fix. Let me know if you are, and I'll send you the fix info. HTH Paul __________________ 1972 Toyota Celica with an 87 GN drive train.

10-11-2008, 12:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
BigMike Don't Piss Me Off Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ont. Canada Posts: 1,724	I had these problems when I had a Direct scan. Not all the time, but a couple times to really piss me off. __________________ 70 mm ball b turbo,GN1 Alum Ported Heads,Champion Intake,Roller cam 212/212FMIC,70mmTB,T&D rockers ,Eagle Crank,Steel Mains,Diamond pistons,75 lbs inj,Internal Ballance,,ATR Headers.ATR dowpipe ,race gate,PTS Tranny,Bat brakePro torq 3800 stall,Eaton and strange rear end,Razor Alky kit,Innovative Boost controller,FAST XFI, c-clip elim.www.terrybrownracing.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u7NtkcQA3M http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...77830713&hl=en 2006 Black Avalanche 87 Grand National orig owner 69,klm 87 Turbo Limited.Blue 110,klm

10-11-2008, 02:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mactizen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 66	no direct scan, just a scan master when i switched the ecu it was a different prom and calpack, i have tried a total of 6 different chips in the 2 ecu's i guess i'll have to try wrapping some of these wires and see what happens, i've added grounds and nothing really changed.

10-11-2008, 11:58 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mactizen Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 66	added grounds to maf and translator wiring and also to the module ground pulled each ground from the ECU and connected it together to another solid ground,4 of them on the wiring diagram are straight to ground. . . . NOTHING i'll have to try wraping them in some sort of foil, they arn't near anything anyway but i guess i'll try it out.

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