Missing ECU HELP

[jeebat1]

I need assistance, I'm not sure this is the correct place to ask this question, if not please forgive. I have an 1988 festiva lx, the ecu box is missing I need help finding how to get one that is compatable for my car. I welcome any and all advice. Thank You.

[GenevaDirt]

MISSING? I take it the car is not running then? If it is...it is not missing. It is up under the dash behind the dash speaker on the drivers side.
Again we ask that you list your location in your profile....it would benefit you in the long run and keep everyone from asking where you are ,,, then we can begin the healing process....lol

[jeebat1]

This mechanic, showed me a space under the hood of the car, that he says the computer goes. No my car isn't running this is supposedly the last thing I need to get it running. I am in Waterloo, Alabama. Ok I'm new to this, I shall complete my profile. I still need HELP

[jeebat1]

I don't know how to complete my profile

[mattswabb]

Take it to another mechanic. The computer doesn't go under the hood. If he doesn't know that then he's ripping you off.

Post what is wrong with your car and what he's done so far and maybe someone here can help figure out if the mechanic is screwing you.

[stefan]

the computer is under the dash, on the drivers side. This mechanic didnt offer to flush your blinker fluid and rotate your spark plugs too did he?

[jeebat1]

Ford festiva lx 1988, has sat idle for YEARS, Got my mechanic here, He has put in a pick up coil, distributer module, spark plugs, cap, rotar button, wires, and he still can not get the car to run.

[25Horseplay]

Tell him to look where they said for the ECU, it is kinda hard to get to but it is up there.

[jeebat1]

This thing that is missing is on the firewall on the drivers side over the master cylinder

[anomoly40]

The wiper motor?

Is it mounted on the place where the suspension mounts? Man I forgot that the Coil mounts on the suspension on the later models.

Hold on let me go look at mine.

[mattswabb]

Could you take a picture of it or post a scan of the repair manual to show where it goes?

[GenevaDirt]

You have to be talking about the coil....not the ECU...it is up under the dash inside the car.

[WmWatt]

The car will start and run without the ECU (computer) but it will not run efficiently. The computer on those cars only kicks in when the O2 sensor warms up sufficiently to start working. Then all it does is adjust the spark timing to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The car is designed to run without the computer so it will not be disabled by a burnt computer component.
The car will not start and run without a good ICM (ignition control module, aka transistorized points) located inside the distributor on that year. But you already wrote that the mechanic replaced that.
Could you provide more information on what diagnostic results have been obtained? What test for existence and strength of spark have been done, and where. Also how has the mechanic tested for correct spark timing?