Auto ECU vs Manual ECU

[skeeters_keeper]

The 89 Auto had its own completely different EFI system. The 89 spark advance was vacuum controled and 90 and newer spark advance was electroncally controlled.

ah... I knew that. Just had a brain fart... guess i'm getting old

so does anyone have a pic of a post 89 auto ECU? or, as gomez said, are all the ECU's (both auto and manual) that are post 89 the B376? In which case I would guess that the fuel and ignition maps are probobly the same.

[stefan]

I have a spare auto ECU (90s) and it is a 2 plug. 89 auto vs 90s efi isnt a fair comparison. As Brian mentioned, the 89 Fi is a whole different animal.

[FB71]

However, one was an 89 and the other was a 91 (89 auto's were FI).

there's your answer, Nate. As was already stated, 90-93 EFI is significantly different than 89. The 89 borrowed it's system from the 86-89 323 and Tracer, which used vacuum and mechanical ignition advance, whereas the 90-93 cars used electronic advance controlled by the PCM.

90-93 cars all use the same PCM, I have discovered. There are no different maps for auto vs manual. The wiring harnesses are also all the same. There is only one electric control (NOT electronic) on the auto trans; a kickdown solenoid controlled by a switch on the accelereator pedal.

Lastly, I ave opened PCM from concurrent year and model vehicles, to discover that more than one supplier was used, resulting in different hardware configurations to accomplish the same tasks. For instance, Ford used Motorola and GTE sourced PCMs for the same vehicles, during the same year. Externally they appeared nearly identicle, performed exactly the same functions, yet were vastly different on the inside. I have a friend/former coworker who was a QC engineer at Ford's Motorola-run PCM plant outside of Philly for many years, and we've had several discussions about this exact topic.

[festivaWES]

Marcus if you need help sometime with the wiring give me a call I'll come up for the weekend. Maybe we could go tot the Pick-n'-Pull too.

[stefan]

Thanks for setting that straight Jim. I knew they were the same but people always think otherwise.

[freshtiva]

Marcus if you need help sometime with the wiring give me a call I'll come up for the weekend. Maybe we could go tot the Pick-n'-Pull too.

Hey Wes that would be great. Id even pay you or swap some labor with you. I think I could do it myself but I dont have enough time (work wants me to work 60 hrs a week) and two people are a lot more than twice as productive as one person alone. Or just come up and we will hit the J/Ys if you want. My best weekends are following the weeks I work the day shift (every other week) cause if I dont work OT on saturdays I get a three day weekend every other week.

Thanks for the help and info everyone !!!!!!!! Ive been debating on the new car if I should part it or start it. I think now Ill try to start it. I was unsure on the ECU and harnesses.

[25Horseplay]

Ive been debating on the new car if I should part it or start it. I think now Ill try to start it. I was unsure on the ECU and harnesses.

I think you should sell it to me for a few bucks profit, your only a 12 hour drive away! I'm sure I would have something maybe to trade even!

[Amos]

The 89 autos are evil

[25Horseplay]

The 89 autos are evil

I disagree, they have great potential for a B6 swap or building up a B3.

[skeeters_keeper]

Thanks Jim!

I had long been confused on the auto vs manual thing. Good to learn something!

[festivaWES]

PM me the weekend You'd wish to do it.