1997 parts near Nashville, TN

Grog6 · 2022-10-24T09:27:35-0400

what was wrong with it, just for reference?

Rodeo Joe · 2022-10-24T17:30:52-0400

Too bad you didn't post up here first before you junked it. Craigslist and eBay ads go in the Miscellaneous Forum, no problem with your ad here.

Joe

9746pearl · 2022-10-24T23:50:33-0400

For reference, it lost power. I tried to get home at around 15 mph, but it did not make it. It did not have enough power to work the brake booster. I suspect the ECU died as it did once before, but I do not know for certain.

The engine had a ticking noise under the passenger side valve cover. It had some oil on the two spark plugs near the firewall on that side when I changed them. It also had some disappearing coolant I was unable to track down. Also, it killed a replacement cat. So I figure there is a decent chance of a ring or head gasket problem on that side.

It has also been difficult to start. Given that it needs a set of tires and the battery died, I just cannot justify putting more money into a car that old.

I would avoid the engine, which is kind of a shame with 117,000 miles on the odometer and regular oil changes.

Grog6 · 2022-10-24T23:58:48-0400

Understood; the 97's are bad about eecs dying. By any chance do you know the catchcode it was?

9746pearl · 2022-10-25T00:00:21-0400

Unfortunately, I don't know.

Grog6 · 2022-10-25T00:18:15-0400

no prob; I'm keeping a list of dead ones.
FTE1 and mbe1 seem to be the worst. Apparently they built them in batches, and the earliest ones died.
MBE1,2,3, and FTE 1,2,3 seem to be the most common ones. some of the codes are local to an area; there are two california codes. I'm dumping all this here for the poor sod that finds this from google, lol.

CDsDontBurn · 2022-10-25T02:05:20-0400

Grog6 said:
no prob; I'm keeping a list of dead ones.
FTE1 and mbe1 seem to be the worst. Apparently they built them in batches, and the earliest ones died.
MBE1,2,3, and FTE 1,2,3 seem to be the most common ones. some of the codes are local to an area; there are two california codes. I'm dumping all this here for the poor sod that finds this from google, lol.

What is a California specific ECU? I'm thinking of picking up a spare...for uh....needs. Yeah.

Grog6 · 2022-10-25T12:05:02-0400

I don't remember offhand, my list is only dead ones. I do remember there being two codes.

9746pearl · 2022-10-25T23:29:34-0400

Thank you for listing the codes here, Grog6. Let's hope it helps someone. I have always found your posts to be informative.