[Shotimes] electrical flicker

[Kirk (remote location)]

Thanks G. I have been dealing with the POS cable corrosion issue for a
while. I keep cleaning it and it returns the next day. it makes sense
because I just helped Hurdder with his 91 and his pcm not getting power.

Ill see how far I make it and try to hit the first truck stop and Mcguyver a
new cable on it accros the top side of the motor for the trip home. its a
connection for sure I just hope its this one, or one somewhere along the
battery lines..

oh well its 5:30am CST and I need to get out of here. Thanks for the help
and ill let you know if this makes it home I guess tomorrow (should be 1 or
2 am EST). Who knows maybe Ill run to Peoria and switch out with one of Dons
cars :)

-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of George Fourchy
Sent: Sunday, August 17, 2003 12:16 AM
To: shotimes@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] electrical flicker


On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 22:41:59 -0700, Kirk \(remote location\) wrote:

>OK im ready to depart Tulsa and My Plus starts to flicker tht lights, and
>wanted to install. Performed the wiggle test on everthing under the hood
and
>it turned up nothing. it acts like the key is being turned on and off, but
>barely for a second then it will flicker on and off then be ok for a bit.

A bit hard to understand here....the headlights flicker sometimes while
turned on,
and the whole car will intermittently quit once in a while, but pick right
back up?

To me, that sounds like two different things.  The engine quitting and
picking up
sounds like a bad connection at either the battery or the power and/or
ground leads
to the PCM.  There is a small single wire coming off the positive terminal
of the
battery, which goes directly to the PCM.  If this isn't getting constant
power, the
PCM will not function, the fuel pump will quit, or not start, and the CE
light will
be dimmer than the antilock brake light with the key on and engine off (THIS
is the
big clue as to the problem...no power to the PCM).  That was my problem with
the
Plus from Hell.  The final fix for it was a new positive battery terminal
connector
to the positive cable, and making sure the PCM power lead was securely
connected to
it.  The ground for the PCM can also cause problems...it goes to the fender
directly
behind the battery.

The light problem sounds like a bad connection somewhere in the lighting
circuit.
Do they flicker at exactly the same time as the engine quits?  If so, that
is
something significant, and will require the use of an Electrical-Vacuum
Troubleshooting Manual, and/or a wiring diagram, to determine which hot
wires are
common both to the lights and the primary ignition/PCM circuitry.   As long
as the
alternator is putting out good current, the battery terminals can be loose
at the
battery and everything will work.  It won't start well, or at all (if they
are off
the battery), but it will run if it is already running.  The lights won't
flicker
and the engine won't quit as long as the connection between the positive
cable to
the starter or solenoid and the small wire to the PCM are securely
connected, AND
the alternator is good and putting out good current.

George
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