96 T&C odd pcm issue

Our 96 T&C died on the road. After a tow home, I initially found that
I was getting no worthwhile codes (12) and no spark. After charging
the battery, it started but ran on 4 cylinders - no's 1 and 4 (center
two on the coil pack) were dead. I found that I had continuity between
the coil pack connector and an intermediate connector near the end of
the front valve cover, but no continuity between that and the connector
on the PCM (based on matching wire colors). What gives here?

My guess is a faulty PCM since the symptom is either no spark anywhere
or 2 dead out of the 6. I haven't opened the PCM to see if there's any
obvious damage. Has anyone done this?

Otherwise, help is welcome. I'm not a car tech but have a scope and
meter and can read diagrams...

Thx

Vic

 

You need a factory service manual before you start screwing with the
electrical, get one off Ebay for a few bucks: Ebay auction # 8018025381

Ted

 

OK, more info on the below.

I have good signals from cam and crank position senders. Good signal from
throttle position sender. Some voltage from MAP sensor, I have to assume
it's good. I get all the right supply voltages and grounds from the various
places I'd expect to see them. (Above verifed by scope and/or meter by
inserting a pin into the backside of the connector).

ASD relay is good verified by metering, replacing, and jumpering.

I am strongly believing that I have a faulty PCM but I hear that that's a
rare occurence - any opinions on this?

Also, if I get a junkyard PCM, I have to have the VIN programmed, right?
What happens if I don't do this? No start?

I plan on selling or donating this car as soon as it's running so I don't
want any additonal expenditures if need be, so new manuals, shotgunning,
etc. are not in the plan.

Thanks for your help - I truly need it.

Vic


I do intermittently get pulses to the coil pack but never get it to fire.

 

if u have a van that does not have the factory security system and u install a
pcm that does have it then the van will shut down and tell the bcm there is one
and both computers will have to be replaced be very careful