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ECU died again #833118 10/18/10 08:28 PM 10/18/10 08:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 157 California D dg_dodge OP member
dg_dodge OP member D Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 157 California	Hi Guys, It looks like the ECU box has died again on my 1970 Challenger (this one lasted about 9 months). Previously, I had the Mopar Orange box, which lasted about 5 years and died in Jan of this year without any warning. To get the car back home that time, I went to the nearest parts store and bought what they had in stock, which was a cheap looking blue one (less than $30). So, my first question for the electrical experts out there is - Is this normal to have an ECU go out so soon? Could there be a gremlin lurking somewhere in my system or are these units just kinda crappy? The day it failed I was just out for a drive and got home and turned off the ignition and that was the last time I could get spark out of it. Secondly, I need to buy a new ECU. I've read some bad stories about the Orange boxes and my experience with the low end replacement wasn't good either. Should I get a chrome box or just try another Orange one? Thanks a lot for any help or tips!

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833119 10/18/10 08:44 PM 10/18/10 08:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,822 Colorado D denfireguy top fuel
denfireguy top fuel D Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,822 Colorado	I have read the same information about the orange box. Seems that you did have better luck with yours. I would go with the chrome box just from the same things you have read. I have a secondary market one presently on mine but will be getting a chrome box and keep the present one as a spare. Craig 2014 Ram 1500 Laramie, 73 Cuda Previous mopars: 62 Valiant, 65 Fury III, 68 Fury III, 72 Satellite, 74 Satellite, 89 Acclaim, 98 Caravan, 2003 Durango Only previous Non-Mopar: Schwinn Tornado

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833120 10/18/10 09:07 PM 10/18/10 09:07 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	no gremlins, the newer orange boxes are outsourced & have a fair amt of failures. I would suggest another parts house ECU like the one you bought and for some gain spend your money on a hotter coil/ballast combo for more spark energy as the ECU is pretty much just a on/off switch for the coil pri current like the old breaker points were . If not then the MP chrome or talk to Don @FBO live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: ECU died again [Re: RapidRobert] #833121 10/18/10 09:17 PM 10/18/10 09:17 PM
Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 253 Orange County, CA M Mike H enthusiast
Mike H enthusiast M Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 253 Orange County, CA	I agree with Rapid Robert. Give Don at HBO a call, he will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about the ecus. Basically, both the orange and chrome units are Chinese junk.

Re: ECU died again [Re: Mike H] #833122 10/18/10 09:21 PM 10/18/10 09:21 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 157 California D dg_dodge OP member
dg_dodge OP member D Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 157 California	Thanks a lot guys for the info. Anyone have the contact info for Don? I've been off the forum for awhile so might have missed any postings of his.

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833123 10/18/10 09:28 PM 10/18/10 09:28 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,431 Florida STAYcation BeEtLeJuIcE ! The village idiot's idiot
BeEtLeJuIcE ! The village idiot's idiot Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,431 Florida STAYcation	When did the orange and chrome boxes start coming from across-the-pond ?

Re: ECU died again [Re: BeEtLeJuIcE !] #833124 10/18/10 09:35 PM 10/18/10 09:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	I knew the oranges were made in Mexico (no pond) but I didn't know the MP chrome ones were outsourced now too. Haven't heard of them failing very much though live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: ECU died again [Re: RapidRobert] #833125 10/18/10 09:41 PM 10/18/10 09:41 PM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,431 Florida STAYcation BeEtLeJuIcE ! The village idiot's idiot
BeEtLeJuIcE ! The village idiot's idiot Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 30,431 Florida STAYcation	The ORANGES have been made in Mexico always ? ... I got some of the first "kits" Mopar put together and I don't remember any import stickers on them.

Re: ECU died again [Re: BeEtLeJuIcE !] #833126 10/18/10 10:52 PM 10/18/10 10:52 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: The ORANGES have been made in Mexico always ? ... I got some of the first "kits" Mopar put together and I don't remember any import stickers on them. I think just lately (not sure how long though) live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833127 10/19/10 07:09 AM 10/19/10 07:09 AM
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 347 FRANCE, Paris Chal340 enthusiast
Chal340 enthusiast Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 347 FRANCE, Paris	Here : http://www.4secondsflat.com/a688specs.html 70 Challenger, A66, 340 ci

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833128 10/19/10 08:15 AM 10/19/10 08:15 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,822 Between Houston & Galveston TX SattyNoCar Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
SattyNoCar Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 16,822 Between Houston & Galveston TX	Just wanted to add, make sure the ECU has a good GROUND. A poor ground will shorten the life of an ECU too. On my drivers, I run one of those braided ground straps from a mounting bolt on the ECU to the engine block. John The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥

Re: ECU died again [Re: SattyNoCar] #833129 10/19/10 08:26 AM 10/19/10 08:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet
Mr.Yuck Not enough dumb comments...yet Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md	I dunno I lucky I guess I have yet to have an issue w/ a mopar orange box. Check you grounds and check your voltage across the system. Sorry about the problems they sux! [IMG]http://i66.tinypic.com/pui5j.jpg[/IMG] Coming soon!!!!

Re: ECU died again [Re: Mr.Yuck] #833130 10/19/10 10:13 AM 10/19/10 10:13 AM
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 508 Cincinnati, Ohio S superbeedave mopar
superbeedave mopar S Joined: May 2009 Posts: 508 Cincinnati, Ohio	I had my orange box for 13 years then I decided to put a higher amp alternator on then Whamo! It killed it in 5 mins. Funny thing is it would start right up after cooling down for 10 mins. then it would quite again 30 seconds later. Go figure?

Re: ECU died again [Re: superbeedave] #833131 10/19/10 11:46 AM 10/19/10 11:46 AM
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 157 California D dg_dodge OP member
dg_dodge OP member D Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 157 California	Thanks much for the info guys. Both times mine have died, I've only found out when trying to start up (no spark). Is that the way these things go - only find out at startup - or can they die while the motor is running, too?

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833132 10/19/10 12:19 PM 10/19/10 12:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,931 P Paul_Fancsali master
Paul_Fancsali master P Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,931	Get a stock factory 4 post off a late 80's Dodge truck. I have had very little trouble with a factory box not the MP box.

Re: ECU died again [Re: Paul_Fancsali] #833133 10/19/10 03:44 PM 10/19/10 03:44 PM
Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 969 OH--IO 3 360904 super stock
360904 super stock 3 Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 969 OH--IO	Rick has some nice ones for sale in the a body parts section, American made

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833134 10/19/10 03:47 PM 10/19/10 03:47 PM
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,371 Costa Mesa, CA C chache876 pro stock
chache876 pro stock C Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,371 Costa Mesa, CA	Quote: Thanks much for the info guys. Both times mine have died, I've only found out when trying to start up (no spark). Is that the way these things go - only find out at startup - or can they die while the motor is running, too? thats how a lot of electrical parts seem to fail in my experience. they'll get you to where you need to go, but don't count on them getting you back home

Re: ECU died again [Re: SattyNoCar] #833135 10/19/10 04:09 PM 10/19/10 04:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,799 ILL M MLR426 master
MLR426 master M Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,799 ILL	Quote: Just wanted to add, make sure the ECU has a good GROUND. A poor ground will shorten the life of an ECU too. On my drivers, I run one of those braided ground straps from a mounting bolt on the ECU to the engine block. Is the voltage regulator suppose to be grounded also and not loose to the firewall or does it make any difference ? logan426

Re: ECU died again [Re: MLR426] #833136 10/19/10 04:39 PM 10/19/10 04:39 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,444 So Cal Sinitro master
Sinitro master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,444 So Cal	Quote: Quote: Just wanted to add, make sure the ECU has a good GROUND. A poor ground will shorten the life of an ECU too. On my drivers, I run one of those braided ground straps from a mounting bolt on the ECU to the engine block. Is the voltage regulator suppose to be grounded also and not loose to the firewall or does it make any difference ? logan426 Yes, the voltage regulator must be grounded. Also be sure to sand off the paint on its back side so it is metal-to-metal when titened down... Just my $0.02...

Re: ECU died again [Re: dg_dodge] #833137 10/19/10 08:03 PM 10/19/10 08:03 PM
Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska R RapidRobert Circle Track
RapidRobert Circle Track R Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 36,040 Lincoln Nebraska	Quote: Is that the way these things go - only find out at startup - or can they die while the motor is running, too? the ones I've had go bad started misfiring on multiple cyls as soon as I started it up & had to gun it to limp it home & people thinking their hearing gunfire or firecrackers live every 24 hour block of time like it's your last day on earth

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