Danny G Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 SPOUT (SPark OUT) is a little jumper that goes in the harness between the distributor and the ECM. With it removed the timing is locked, so you can set base timing. Right. But does the fact that he gets an error seemingly randomly mean he has a broken wire or a bad connection? That would certainly cause firing issues. Ran KOER test about 10 times trying to get it to do an engine balance test. I would say I got the codes 3/10 times. 213(SPOUT) and 225 (knock sensor) codes always posted together. Definitely worth checking the wiring. Battery tested "good" (50%) with CCAs set at 675, until I adjusted the CA to the number on the label then it failed the test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 SPOUT (SPark OUT) is a little jumper that goes in the harness between the distributor and the ECM. With it removed the timing is locked, so you can set base timing. Right. But does the fact that he gets an error seemingly randomly mean he has a broken wire or a bad connection? That would certainly cause firing issues. Ran KOER test about 10 times trying to get it to do an engine balance test. I would say I got the codes 3/10 times. 213(SPOUT) and 225 (knock sensor) codes always posted together. Definitely worth checking the wiring. Battery tested "good" (50%) with CCAs set at 675, until I adjusted the CA to the number on the label then it failed the test. I wonder if the SPOUT glitching could cause a backfire that would set off the knock sensor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 I wonder if the SPOUT glitching could cause a backfire that would set off the knock sensor? I'm sure if the van is jumping between advanced and base, it would definitely see it as a knock. You need to fix the lowest number code first. It usually resolves the other ones caused by it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 I'm sure if the van is jumping between advanced and base, it would definitely see it as a knock. You need to fix the lowest number code first. It usually resolves the other ones caused by it. Sounds like a plan, just need to find the wire I need to mess with... And what the heck these disconnected wires go to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArdWrknTrk Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 I'm sure if the van is jumping between advanced and base, it would definitely see it as a knock. You need to fix the lowest number code first. It usually resolves the other ones caused by it. Sounds like a plan, just need to find the wire I need to mess with... And what the heck these disconnected wires go to. They look like they go to two of the three emissions solenoids on the valve cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 I'm sure if the van is jumping between advanced and base, it would definitely see it as a knock. You need to fix the lowest number code first. It usually resolves the other ones caused by it. Sounds like a plan, just need to find the wire I need to mess with... And what the heck these disconnected wires go to. If you'll determine the wire colors, as best you can, that go to each connector I'll see if I can figure something out from the 1996 EVTM. But tell me what wires go to each connector, and give me an end-on shot of the connector as there are some drawings of connectors in the book. As for cleaning the wires, I'm using brake cleaner on a towel. Doesn't seem to hurt the insulation and does a far better job of cleaning it than anything else I've used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 They look like they go to two of the three emissions solenoids on the valve cover. I believe you are partially correct, not sure how easy it is to see this in my pictures. Ill take more tomorrow, working nights now. I think I need to look for a vac diagram. There are 2 of 3 solenoids present and connected on the valve cover. One of the connectors is part of this harness and shaped the same. The lower connector which is more oil soaked is on the run of wire below the head. If you look at the picture of the engine by the alternator you will see a loom run going up and below and behind it an oil soaked run along the bottom of the head. The top run goes to the solenoids. I found this picture but its off a bronco set up and doesn't 100% match. Also next to those connectors/ oil filter... is that the knock sensor? Â Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 17, 2020 Share Posted January 17, 2020 They look like they go to two of the three emissions solenoids on the valve cover. I believe you are partially correct, not sure how easy it is to see this in my pictures. Ill take more tomorrow, working nights now. I think I need to look for a vac diagram. There are 2 of 3 solenoids present and connected on the valve cover. One of the connectors is part of this harness and shaped the same. The lower connector which is more oil soaked is on the run of wire below the head. If you look at the picture of the engine by the alternator you will see a loom run going up and below and behind it an oil soaked run along the bottom of the head. The top run goes to the solenoids. I found this picture but its off a bronco set up and doesn't 100% match. Also next to those connectors/ oil filter... is that the knock sensor? I can't tell much from those pics and that diagram. But if you get better pics and the wire colors I'll bet we can nail down exactly what the connectors should go to. But, is that an EEC-IV system? I think it should be as it is an '95. So I'll assume so and go looking for the connectors there when we get better pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted January 17, 2020 Author Share Posted January 17, 2020 I can't tell much from those pics and that diagram. But if you get better pics and the wire colors I'll bet we can nail down exactly what the connectors should go to. But, is that an EEC-IV system? I think it should be as it is an '95. So I'll assume so and go looking for the connectors there when we get better pics. yep EEC-IV did a self test on it both engine off and engine running. Couldn't get the cylinder balance test to run though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny G Posted January 19, 2020 Author Share Posted January 19, 2020 yep EEC-IV did a self test on it both engine off and engine running. Couldn't get the cylinder balance test to run though. Ok here are some pictures of the disconnected wires. The upper one that looks like it should go to a vacuum solenoid has brown and red wires. The one that goes to the lower connector is a red and what appears to be yellow with a white stripe. Or maybe it's like mustard yellow with a yellow stripe. There is nothing I can find that this connector could reach. It is part of the same harness that continues down over the transmission. I also noted the misfires do not start right away. The engine starts and does it's it's thing for a minute and then as the idle settles out and it runs for about a minute more the misfires start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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