Half my gauges not working, half the warning lights lit up!

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 10:32 AM

Got in my car this morning after work and only half my gauges are working, half the warning lights are on and the OBD port doesn't work.

Traction control button is not lit and not working. Seatbelt and SES light are operable (SES light came on after i took off driving because of a malfunctioning knock sensor).

I checked all fuses on the side of the dash and all of them under the hood with a DMM and they all tested good.

What should i check next?

**Spaz** · 02-23-2011, 11:21 AM

got any friends with a PCM that you could swap with the see if it's the PCM shitting out on you???

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 11:32 AM

I just finished plugging my PCM back in. It had a bit of water and some corrosion in the top side. I cleaned it as best I could and dried everything with a hairdryer on med.

Just fired it up and everything seems back to normal. Except of course for the piston slap. Haha.

Thanks for the reply!

**Danger731** · 02-23-2011, 11:34 AM

Wierd !, how did it get so wet ?

**SteveCZ28** · 02-23-2011, 11:52 AM

my guess on why it got so wet is possibly the weather stripping on that black cowl piece around the base of the windshield/ wiper area could be torn, or even missing?

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 02:17 PM

The weather strip on the cowl is intact and fine. I did wash my engine with the garden hose last Saturday. I wrapped the PCM with a trash bag really good then i was careful not to spray any water it's way.

Maybe when i was drying the motor off with my 150mph leaf blower it blew some water into it. The trash bag had some water on it when i took it off. I was careful not to spray directly in front/back of the intake manifold but i somehow got water into the knock sensors so i have to replace them.

I don't think i'll be using a garden hose to wash my engine again!

If you ever have to remove the PCM or it's connectors, the rubber gasket goes IN THE CONNECTOR. When i pulled my connectors off, the seals were left on the PCM so that's how i tried putting them back on....for 30 mins.

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Well, i guess i spoke too soon. Just went on another ride and the gauges and OBD starting going erratic then they just went out.

I stopped at auto zone and picked up a can of electrical contact cleaner and some soft wire brushes. Hopefully that'll clean it up.

-A little side story: I was at the counter telling the guy i needed the exhaust gasket between the manifold and exhaust pipe for my GF's car and there was this Master ASE Certified meth head with sores all over his face besides me. He says "oh, what you need a sensor? It's the oxygen sensor!" I said, no i need an exhaust gasket. He says, "oh man, you don't need that, get some of that high temperature sealant, put it in there and smash it together. You'll be good to go." I said, this is $1.99 i'll take a chance with this. God, i hate (most) people.

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 07:13 PM

Brushed it lightly with a brass brush and sprayed some cleaner in it. I guess they were corroded worse than i thought. There was one bent and i went to bend it back in place and it pretty much broke clean off.

I paid for another PCM last week but the guy hasn't responded since payment. Hopefully i get it soon but then i still have to send it off to get programmed. I'm gonna run it like this till i get my new one in and hope nothing blows up.

**Danger731** · 02-23-2011, 07:30 PM

wtf ?

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by Danger731

wtf ?

What?

**Danger731** · 02-23-2011, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by elwood

Brushed it lightly with a brass brush and sprayed some cleaner in it. I guess they were corroded worse than i thought. There was one bent and i went to bend it back in place and it pretty much broke clean off.

I paid for another PCM last week but the guy hasn't responded since payment. Hopefully i get it soon but then i still have to send it off to get programmed. I'm gonna run it like this till i get my new one in and hope nothing blows up.

how is your pcm corroded ?, Salvage title flooded ?

I drove mine around in WA. state for a year without issues.

**elwood** · 02-23-2011, 07:42 PM

It's just that one spot, the upper right connector. Everything else is fine. There's a TSB out that says to change the gasket if you ever remove the connectors.

**JayTA98** · 02-24-2011, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by elwood

It's just that one spot, the upper right connector. Everything else is fine. There's a TSB out that says to change the gasket if you ever remove the connectors.

I was about to say if you are getting a new PCM get new connector gaskets as well.

**elwood** · 02-24-2011, 07:32 AM

Just put it back together. Car won't start now.

I ordered the gaskets. $30 shipped!

**JayTA98** · 02-24-2011, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by elwood

Just put it back together. Car won't start now.

I ordered the gaskets. $30 shipped!

Didn't you said that one of the pins broke off? That could be the one of the reasons.

**elwood** · 02-24-2011, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by JayTA98

Didn't you said that one of the pins broke off? That could be the one of the reasons.

Yes and yes. I was just hoping some of the gauges wouldn't work like before, but still be driveable.

**JayTA98** · 02-24-2011, 10:17 AM

that sucks man.

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