Hi everyone! It's been a while and I hope everyone is well.

I found something really interesting that I wanted to share and hopefully it'll help someone who might be experiencing the same problem and what I did to get it resolved.

In my past posts, I had engine codes that pointed to the EST and the TCC solenoid (Code 42 and 39). In each instance, I had the components replaced in conjunction with the needed repairs at the time.

Last week, my "Check Engine" light was coming on again and when I had plugged the engine scanner in, I got those same codes again.

I knew that the 2 components I had replaced previously couldn't have all of a sudden gone bad, so the next logical thing that I went to was the ECM housing, in accordance with my factory manuals diagnostic flow chart.

Well, to my surprise after the ECM housing was removed and the PROM chip was separated, you could see the rust and corrosion that had built up in there due to moisture.

The source of the moisture is from a leaky section in the right side of my windshield which I will eventually have to get fixed. The moisture somehow worked its way down and in many instances, the interior side of all of my windows would collect an abnormally high concentration of condensation. This usually happens after a heavy prolonged rainstorm. As an interim fix until I have enough money saved to get my windshield seals repaired, my mechanic carefully put duct tape around some of the exposed edges of the ECM casing to deflect any kind of moisture from penetrating inside. In addition, I plan to get some small dessicant bags and place them inside my glove box compartment.

I got a new ECM box at Kragen this weekend minus the core charge for $84. My mechanic, just charged me the labor which was less than the core charge of a new ECM housing. So I guess I almost got it done for free.

If any of you are curious as to what corroded circuitry inside an ECM looks like, I posted a picture of my old one, after it was removed, in my album. You'll notice the little embedded, brown rusted areas which was almost certainly interfering with the electronic signal transmissions.

And lastly, I had the fuel filter replaced as well. It was definitely plugged up and needed to be changed.

Car runs great again.

Good to know! That would have had me scratching my head!!!

It was a funny thing too how I first found out about it, Aaron.

I was coming home from the market when I was about 2 blocks away and all the dashboard lights along with the "Service Engine Soon" came on and my car just died. Luckily, I was able to pull off to the side of the road and was able to restart my car again and get it going again.

And something else too. For the two days, I had to drive my car with that problem, nothing would happen when the car was running in open-loop. When it went into closed loop, then the unexplained engine surge and my car would lurch, followed by the "Service Engine Soon" light.

Aaron, this was definitely a first for me.

I love a head scratcher... Except when I've got somewhere to go!