87 Carrera DME failure?

[OldTee]

Today a very good mechanic told me my DME was not working. Said something about 5v not where it should be at the 02 sensor. He could not get the mixture to behave. The car runs, but not as smoothly as I think it should. Before I buy a new (ugh and not going to happen) or a used or rebuilt unit, what home tests can I do to reboot the damn thing. Kicking my PC seems to work sometimes, what about this thing?

Any luck opening and re soldering things inside?

Who rebuilds these things? What about swapping? Any advice of used via Parts Heaven or DC Auto vs. a rebuilt unit?

[DRACO A5OG]

Whoa!

The DME or the DME Relay?

I'd say first check the CHTS to see if you got the single wire or upgraded double wire.

or get a new DME relay and replace it, you know you need a spare anyways. You can take the DME relay apart and re-solder it but it's only $30, just MHO.

Do a search on CHT and you will see what it looks like.

[S ECU Repair]

Hello, rebuild Porsche 3.2 carrera units .IM for more details

[RickM]

Here's a very nice write up on the Relay, failure and repair (credit to Steve Wong). You might as well get a new one as a spare in any case. http://www.911chips.com/dmerelay.html

Here's a DME Tech article with a section on Cracked Solder Joints: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/E36-DME-Repair.htm

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by RickM

Here's a very nice write up on the Relay, failure and repair (credit to Steve Wong). You might as well get a new one as a spare in any case. http://www.911chips.com/dmerelay.html

Here's a DME Tech article with a section on Cracked Solder Joints: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/E36-DME-Repair.htm

Nice Reply

[OldTee]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Whoa!

The DME or the DME Relay?

I'd say first check the CHTS to see if you got the single wire or upgraded double wire.

or get a new DME relay and replace it, you know you need a spare anyways. You can take the DME relay apart and re-solder it but it's only $30, just MHO.

Do a search on CHT and you will see what it looks like.

DME. Relay is OK.

[OldTee]

Originally Posted by S ECU Repair

Hello, rebuild Porsche 3.2 carrera units .IM for more details

What does .IM mean?

[OldTee]

Originally Posted by RickM

Here's a DME Tech article with a section on Cracked Solder Joints: http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-DME-Repair/E36-DME-Repair.htm

Good lead. Thanks.

[S ECU Repair]

Instant Message .Click over my name to send a private message

[smokinrz]

i just had a DME failure on my 87 a few weeks back. After hours of testing and learning about my car, I swapped out DME's with another nice Plelican and it cranked right up. Took me about 30 minutes to reflow the cracked soldier joint and I was back on the road.

[Lorenfb]

If you require a rebuilt DME ECM, call Wayne/John at Pelican Parts!

Many seem to forget that Pelican Parts has many sources for new or rebuilt parts.
Why use a questionable source/DIY effort for such a key component, when Pelican Parts is here?

[nesslar]

Yeah!

[Por_sha911]

Hey Loren, do you still do the DME ECM rebuilds for Pelican? (Not that its a bad thing)

[OldTee]

Update. Took my computer over to a friend and hooked it up to his 87 Carrera. His car ran exactly the same with my computer as with his. Not sure what to do at this point. The car has a new O2 sensor and not a cheap one either. How do you check the operation of the O2 sensor. Any ideas?

[s5uewf]

I have a spare new 02 sensor if you want to test with it, Old Tee.

I can get it to Michael or someone on your side of the river, and you can get it from there, perhaps.

What makes you think it is DME or possibly 02 sensor?

Any chance it is one of the other sensors?

Emery

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by OldTee

Update. Took my computer over to a friend and hooked it up to his 87 Carrera. His car ran exactly the same with my computer as with his. Not sure what to do at this point. The car has a new O2 sensor and not a cheap one either. How do you check the operation of the O2 sensor. Any ideas?

Acoording to the Bentley Manual, use a digial multimeter and test the #2 & #3 connections in the harness located in the engine compartment.

With the engine on it should read 12Volts

If it checks OK then it directs you to the DME relay post 87B

[RickM]

Originally Posted by OldTee

Update. Took my computer over to a friend and hooked it up to his 87 Carrera. His car ran exactly the same with my computer as with his. Not sure what to do at this point. The car has a new O2 sensor and not a cheap one either. How do you check the operation of the O2 sensor. Any ideas?

I'm not sure what your saying here. Do you mean your friend's 87 runs like your car did with your ECU?

BTW, A generic Bosch sensor is going to perform like a Plug-n-play unit. The only difference is the connector on the harness. Perhaps he has a wideband counterpart for other reasons?

[OldTee]

Originally Posted by RickM

I'm not sure what your saying here. Do you mean your friend's 87 runs like your car did with your ECU?

BTW, A generic Bosch sensor is going to perform like a Plug-n-play unit. The only difference is the connector on the harness. Perhaps he has a wideband counterpart for other reasons?

Thanks to all. Have been traveling.

To answer above question. No, his car ran with my computer like his car ran with his computer. No change.


s5uewf:

Watch Dorkiphus. I may take you up on your offer.

Right now I really need a loaner computer to use on the car to do some tests. Will check he O2 sensor as above next.

Thanks.

[mj1pate]

Originally Posted by OldTee

Right now I really need a loaner computer to use on the car to do some tests. Will check he O2 sensor as above next.

Thanks.

OldTee; I may need to test my son's '88 911 computer in someones car...depending on how other tests go this weekend. I'm in Carroll County. Would you or anyone you know be able to try my (son's) computer in your car?