2.3L ('83-'97) 1990 Ranger XLT, 2.3l, 5 speed man., ECM needed

[ABSOLOOT LOONASEA]

Can anyone recommend somewhere good I can get a reman. ECM or get mine rebuilt? So far I have found nothing but a bunch of Jack-legs. I can't seem to find anywhere reputable. Just about all the part stores sell Cardone remans., I can't find one single positive review of Cardone units. I have checked several websites that sound good but when I do search for reviews of the company most of them have very bad reviews. HELP!!!

 

[scotts90ranger]

Do you have a MAP sensor (a sensor just above the heater box in the cowl with a small hose going to it) or a MAF sensor? Ford changed mid model year from speed density to MAF. If you have a MAP, I "think" I still have the stock computer from my '90 sitting around, I know where it would be, I'll check tonight...

 

[ABSOLOOT LOONASEA]

Do you have a MAP sensor (a sensor just above the heater box in the cowl with a small hose going to it) or a MAF sensor? Ford changed mid model year from speed density to MAF. If you have a MAP, I "think" I still have the stock computer from my '90 sitting around, I know where it would be, I'll check tonight...

I have a MAF mounted on my air filter box, nothing on the cowl

 

[RustyShackleford94]

If i find one at a junkyard ill grab it.

 

[ABSOLOOT LOONASEA]

If i find one at a junkyard ill grab it.

I appreciate it "Rusty" but don't worry about it, I found a reman on Ebay I think I'll try. I thought about the junkyard route myself but then I wondered... how do I know if it's any better than the one I have?, the one on ebay has the right numbers, I just wonder if it has Calif. emissions or not, or if it makes any difference. I can't find a website anywhere that breaks down the numbers so I can tell if this (or any) unit is exactly like mine. It's kinda like throwing a dart at a map. This computer stuff is super confusing to me. Thanx for you time and your response. Guess I'll just close my eyes and "go for it".

 

[RonD]

Probably be hard to find many good reviews on any replacement ECMs/PCMs, lol

Reasons being people only go to the effort of reviewing anything if they are mad/disappointed

And in the case of PCMs its a DIY project so................new PCM doesn't solve the problem it MUST BE the new PCMs fault
Its like having a misfire and replacing all spark plugs and then having the same misfire with the new spark plugs, "Must be defective spark plugs, I will write a bad review"


Being that there is only ONE WAY to test a PCM, in the vehicle it was program for, all a rebuilder can do is to replace common failure points, the capacitors, clean the circuit board and connector pins, and send it off

So a used PCM could have any number of problems that wouldn't show up on any "bench tests", but would show up when in use in a vehicle

A rebuilt PCM is the same gamble as a used one from wrecking yard
But hopefully the a rebuild will offer a free exchange, ONE TIME, if the rebuilt one doesn't work
Wrecking yards may offer that but usually not on electronic parts

 

[ABSOLOOT LOONASEA]

Probably be hard to find many good reviews on any replacement ECMs/PCMs, lol

Reasons being people only go to the effort of reviewing anything if they are mad/disappointed

And in the case of PCMs its a DIY project so................new PCM doesn't solve the problem it MUST BE the new PCMs fault
Its like having a misfire and replacing all spark plugs and then having the same misfire with the new spark plugs, "Must be defective spark plugs, I will write a bad review"


Being that there is only ONE WAY to test a PCM, in the vehicle it was program for, all a rebuilder can do is to replace common failure points, the capacitors, clean the circuit board and connector pins, and send it off

So a used PCM could have any number of problems that wouldn't show up on any "bench tests", but would show up when in use in a vehicle

A rebuilt PCM is the same gamble as a used one from wrecking yard
But hopefully the a rebuild will offer a free exchange, ONE TIME, if the rebuilt one doesn't work
Wrecking yards may offer that but usually not on electronic parts

Yeah, but whatcha gonna do? It's pretty much a Catch 22 situation with large side order of "dammed if you do, dammed if you don't"

 

[RonD]

That was the point, if you want to try a different PCM then you need to get a different PCM

 

[ABSOLOOT LOONASEA]

No other choice, sure can't stay with what I have now.

 

[scotts90ranger]

I don't think there are many options for program, if I had to guess the ones with a MAF would be cali models more likely, the only other oddity is auto trans versions didn't always have EGR... but I haven't heard of any manual trucks without EGR so I wouldn't worry too much about it

 

[ABSOLOOT LOONASEA]

I don't think there are many options for program, if I had to guess the ones with a MAF would be cali models more likely, the only other oddity is auto trans versions didn't always have EGR... but I haven't heard of any manual trucks without EGR so I wouldn't worry too much about it

Ok thanx, that eases my mind a good bit. I'm gonna get one and hope for the best. I really appreciate your reply and the info. Have a good one man and thanx again. Loonasea