4age running crap -> distributor ?

[johntramp]

Hey. My car was running sweet earlier in the week and now all of a sudden the car is running crap, backfiring out the intake, doesn't want to rev, no power at all etc...
I am getting this error code


I have checked continuity between the 4 pins and the distributor and they are all fine. There is a 250ohm resistance between pins NE and G1 but nothing between any of the others. Should there be something between NE and G2?
I am thinking I have to replace the distributor but am not sure and don't want to buy a new one until I know what is wrong.

Cheers

[johntramp]

What is the difference between G1 and G2 ? I see on the 16v 4age's they only have G, NE and G- where the 20v's have 4 pins.

[andyztouring]

Almost sounds like it has slipped/jumped a tooth on a cam cog,check it out before wasting money replacing anything.

[johntramp]

why would the ecu be showing errors at the dizzy?

[johntramp]

I replaced the distributor yesterday, and the car seems to be running well again except the error 12 hasn't gone away after resetting the ecu. I haven't had a timing light on it yet but I don't believe that could have anything to do with the error.
Is there any way the error could be stuck in memory or am I likely to have another problem somewhere.
Both G and NE circuits seem fine and I have replaced the distributor. What is the chance of having a faulty ecu if the car seems to be running right?

Cheers

[johntramp]

Anyone?

I am still getting an error 12 even tho the car seems to be running ok.
Is this something to be worried about?

[johntramp]

im not getting much help here

is there any chance that the igniter could be causing this error?

[matt dunn]

Chances are you did not clear the error code properly.

Make sure you can clear it before you start the car,
then if it comes back you know it is a re-occouring fault,
not just a left over fault code.

Matt

[johntramp]

i have had the battery left disconnected for a few hours so I am fairly sure the memory is cleared. also it is not quite running 100% - doesn't have the same kick in the higher revs as it used to

[big_boy]

have you checked wireing & plugs for restance

[johntramp]

yes, there is continuity over the G and NE circuits

[big_boy]

thats not what im questioning im asking is there 0-0.7 ohms restance in the wires from the ECU to the componet & are the plugs clean & not croded

[johntramp]

ah ok, I just checked them and they have 0 ohms on each of the 4 wires going between the distributor and ecu.

[big_boy]

ok do you no exactly what error 12 is ???

[johntramp]

no more than what I have posted at the top of the thread. There seems to be nothing more about it in the tech handbook

[big_boy]

have you got a good earth ???

[johntramp]

when the ecu is plugged in and I unplug the distributor there is 0 ohm to ground from the white wire (G-) which is not there when the ecu is unplugged

[big_boy]

whats the restance between G & NE
also do you have a good condition rotor
& have you fitted an after market rev counter ???

[johntramp]

Going by memory it was around 200 ohms between G- and NE. I have just replaced the whole distributor so I would hope that the rotor is in good condition.
This motor is not factory, so I have wired the rev counter in the dash from the -ve of the coil. I realized later that there was a wire from the igniter for the tach. I don't remember if I swapped it over or not, they probably are the same wire anyway...

[matt dunn]

i have had the battery left disconnected for a few hours so I am fairly sure the memory is cleared. also it is not quite running 100% - doesn't have the same kick in the higher revs as it used to

Did you press the brake pedal to release the power from the capacitors in the ECU?

If you reconnect the battery and then recheck the codes before you wind the car over,
is the code still there because if they cleared properly, the code should not come back untill it see's RPM from the dist or a cranking signal on the start wire??