No flashes with the clip in and the key in the ON position. CEL only comes on when the car is running. I just wanted to know if it was safe to start the vehicle with a paperclip in.

I know it's a simple process, but a key factor is the check engine light doesn't come on until you start the car


Answer300- nope. Shifting is the same if I just start it or if I've been driving it for a while.

 

So when the key is in the on position the cel isn't even lit? Or it is, just no flashes?

If te1 and e1 have been bridged with a paper clip (make sure its metal to metal) and at key on there is nothing, or its solid, no flashes, replace the ecu. Prob $75-$100 shipped. You'll be back in the game.

 

Like Vrank stated make sure the paperclip is in there good with contact. try a few times to make sure, i'd say 1 out of 3 times i do it it sometimes doesnt get contact and doesnt do anything. the paperclip isnt "u" shaped like the oem jumper wire but still works. dont just do it once and call it quits. otherwise ecu/caps could be toast and causing all these grimlins.

GM syncromesh is some awesome stuff. check your tranny fluid. another ecu might also fix your shifting probelms too.

if you can find someone with same kind of ecu and try theirs out and see if things change.

 

yeah no CEL at all without the engine running. no flashing, blinking, NOTHING. i checked the connections several times, and turned the key several times. the second you start the engine, CEL comes on. I have not tried starting it with the paperclip in, still no clue if it's safe

i haven't seen another SC3 out here. i live in west central MO if anyone has one close to me!! if i can't dig one up here i might have to ebay an ecu. might just drop $50 on it to troubleshoot it.

 

goto a pick-n-pull some of them boxes and boxes of ecu's.

btw don't start it with paperclip in.

 

Pull the carpet back on the passenger floor board, take a 10mm socket/ratchet and pull the black plastic cover, pull the ecu. Have to undo the 10m but on the big one. Then open it up and look for the damage.

The fact that the ecu won't go into diagnostic mode tells me this ecu is done. They're cheap and easy to get ahold of or rebuild.

 

Just a Quick update, if anybody cares… I bought another computer for it and the car isn't even starting now. The check engine light is staying on now. Had to run out and I'll try to pull codes when I get home.

I appreciate all the input, thanks!

 

You know it really helps if you want to get a car to run? Plug in all the damn sensors hahahahaa!!

The ecu was the problem. Wife is happy. Time to order a radiator

 

and she crashed it. a month after i dump $500 into it, the car met an untimely death. so i'm listing it for sale...

i'm by kansas city, it's on craigslist now and i'll put it up here soon

 

Oh man, that's heartbreaking bro, I think Alanis Morissette wrote a song about something similar happening to her.