Anyone know a good shop/mechanic for an 80?

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Higgin

Higgin

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Feb 5, 2010
Threads
24
Messages
332
Location
Lafayette, IN
So I've had a starting issue with my 80 for a few weeks now. Long story short, I was driving around one day, stopped to get gas, checked the oil, and then it wouldn't start. No Spark, no fuel. CEL not comming on when key is to ON, so the ECU is not firing up. I checked the basics, fusible links, EFI fuses and links, etc, but I've found I'm not so good when it comes to tracking down electrical issues. Still have not found the culprit. Can anyone reccomend a good shop that would know a thing or two about 80's? The dealers around here have not exactly gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Not to mention their insane shop prices. Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Higgin said:
So I've had a starting issue with my 80 for a few weeks now. Long story short, I was driving around one day, stopped to get gas, checked the oil, and then it wouldn't start. No Spark, no fuel. CEL not comming on when key is to ON, so the ECU is not firing up. I checked the basics, fusible links, EFI fuses and links, etc, but I've found I'm not so good when it comes to tracking down electrical issues. Still have not found the culprit. Can anyone reccomend a good shop that would know a thing or two about 80's? The dealers around here have not exactly gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling. Not to mention their insane shop prices. Anyway, any help is greatly appreciated.
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Welcome the same realization we have all come to which is why we are our best mechanics
 
I have a spare ECU if you want to try that.
 
Well, I think I've got the problem narrowed down to the line between the main fusible link and where it splits to go to the ECM and the EFI relay. Only getting 1.56 volts to the ECM fro mthe main line into the ECM and also the line running through the EFI Relay. I've traced it back to that area, just haven't found exactly where its shorting out yet. Got a friend who's an elec. engineer comming over bright and early tommorow to help me pinpoint it. Hopefully we can knock it out before it gets too hot.

BTW - my 80 dosen't have the security or key fob like my other one did. Must of been removed at some point. Would be nice to have..... Also, thanks toyman for the offer to use the ECM. Hopefully won't need to take you up on that! And tonyota.....Thanks for nuthin! ;p
 
Yeah gumby, I know about the little box under the seat. My other 80 had it, with key fobs.....my current one dosen't. No biggie. But from all the wire taps i see behind the driver kickpanel, I assume it had an aftermarket system at some point. But not now. Oh well.

But anyway, thanks to all who gave me crap and made me figure the problem out myself. Finally found it. And I have to say, I learned a lot. I'm certainly not electrically inclined, but now theres just a couple more things floating around between the ears. Haven't actually got it up and running yet, as I'm waiting for some parts, but hopefully it should be by Thursday. I made a post about what I found with some pics here.... https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/406409-need-more-help-tracking-down-electrical-issue.html
I can't believe the truck ran as long as it did...simply amazing. Front axle rebuild is scheduledfor sometime i nthe next couple weeks too. Yippie :rolleyes:
 
So I got the truck up and running today. After a 5 or so start/stop cycles, the ECM got its stuff together and now she's back to A-OK. Fixing this problem also resolved my mysterious random flashing dash lights issue, so I'm thankful for that. Turns out the LC was tring to warn me of impending doom all along. I also cleaned up a lot of pretty shady wiring from a previous owner for the IPF lights and switch, aftermarket horn, and the slee headlight harness. Happy to have her back up and running again....

On a side note.....I did most of the work on the truck in an overflow parking lot at my friends condo complex. There is a preschool right next door and last night when I was elbow deep in grease and oil, one of the teachers (very attractive 28 yo :D ) came over as she was leaving to go home and asked if I had broke down and wanted to know if I needed any help. Long story short, we hit it off and ended up talking for 3 hours and now I've got a date for this weekend. So I guess the LC breaking down was not all bad afterall :grinpimp: I may end up owing you guys a couple of :beer: :beer: for making me stick with it and fix the LC myself!
 
Higgin said:
So I got the truck up and running today. After a 5 or so start/stop cycles, the ECM got its stuff together and now she's back to A-OK. Fixing this problem also resolved my mysterious random flashing dash lights issue, so I'm thankful for that. Turns out the LC was tring to warn me of impending doom all along. I also cleaned up a lot of pretty shady wiring from a previous owner for the IPF lights and switch, aftermarket horn, and the slee headlight harness. Happy to have her back up and running again....

On a side note.....I did most of the work on the truck in an overflow parking lot at my friends condo complex. There is a preschool right next door and last night when I was elbow deep in grease and oil, one of the teachers (very attractive 28 yo :D ) came over as she was leaving to go home and asked if I had broke down and wanted to know if I needed any help. Long story short, we hit it off and ended up talking for 3 hours and now I've got a date for this weekend. So I guess the LC breaking down was not all bad afterall :grinpimp: I may end up owing you guys a couple of :beer: :beer: for making me stick with it and fix the LC myself!
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If you end up marrying her- DO NOT let Phil plan the bachelor party. Have you ever seen a midget stripper?
 
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