[CamryGuy94]

Back again regarding my 1994 Toyota Camry that was brought in with a bad thermostat/overheating and after fixing it has no power. Mechanic still has the car almost 6 weeks later.

Original thread:

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...4-toyota-camry-bogging-down-acceleration.html

We got the point where he said a line on my ECM was shorted out, so I ordered a used ECM of the exact same model. If anyone is familiar or can comment with how ECMs act in Camry's of around my vintage I would appreciate it. The used computer had codes in it when I got it. Is this normal?

He installed the computer and told me the car was running great/normal. He needed to put the glove box back in etc and disconnected the battery overnight.

The next day the car was back to having no power (bogging down) and poor idle again. Supposedly nothing else changed. The computer is still showing codes for Intake Air Temp Sensor and MAP Sensor which according to him are both working properly.

He mentioned that ECM modules get "used to"/"learn" about the car they are in and even on a car as old as mine sometimes need to be flashed (ie the used ECM remembers the old car it was in) to reset it. Is this true/make sense for ECM's this old?

Should the codes clear themselves or maybe is my used ECM bad?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[zythr]

The codes on the used ECM should have been cleared before either being installed or the car was run. It would be normal for the used ECM to have codes, especially if the car it came out of was scrapped.

 

[CamryGuy94]

The codes on the used ECM should have been cleared before either being installed or the car was run. It would be normal for the used ECM to have codes, especially if the car it came out of was scrapped.

He made it sound like he could not clear the codes without installing it. How would you clear the codes before installing? At this point should he be able to clear them?

 

[zythr]

He made it sound like he could not clear the codes without installing it. How would you clear the codes before installing? At this point should he be able to clear them?

There should be a machine that could do that, since the used ECM would need to be programmed to work. Some (if not all) manufacturers, have ECMs that are specifically programmed to the car that they are installed in, either because of options, or some other differences between cars of the same model.


Answer your other question, yes if he is competent, he should be able to clear the codes allowing the ECM to work. Do you know if the number on the replacement ECM, match the one you had removed?

 

[93cr250]

the 3rd gen camrys arent like the newer ones where the vins, trim level, ect needs to be put on the new computer, just plug and play

i have no idea why he wouldnt clear the codes from the old car, the codes most likely aren't the type that will go away

 

[BMR]

Ummm... don't any stored error codes get cleared when power is removed? I've done it dozens of times by either disconnecting the battery, or pulling/reseating the EFI fuse (learned that trick later). Or am I missing something here???