ECM robbery

[475thFG]

Today, the ECM (and coil) went back in my '88 Grand Wagoneer. I went to the parts store (O'Reilly's) and got a price: $99. I thought this was a little high, and I was pretty sure the parts mule I bought recently had one, so I went and checked...yep, but the plugs were different. So I went back to the parts store and asked if the '81 and '88 used the same part, and the answer was "No sir, the one for the '81 is just $20, and the one for the '88 is $99". Well, they looked identical except for the plugs...wires were the same color, same number of wires, etc. so I called a mechanic friend of mine and got his advice. He said they were identical except for the plug types (and the price, of course). So I swapped plugs, installed it, and sure enough, worked perfectly.

I hate bullcrap like this. Makes me want to beat someone up when I see this sort of thievery.

Just wanted to pass this on in case anyone else has a later '80's model FSJ with a bad ECM.

[Serious Johnson]

I hear ya', and it's been going on at least since I started wrenching in the Fifties. More recently, I checked (before hitting the boneyards) dealer price on a Miata ring & pinion. I guess the parts guy noticed my eyes bugging-out when he quoted $400, and said "Hey, one for an early RX-7 is $700, and it's the exact same part"!

Nice thing about boards like this one is that you can do a search and usually find that someone else has already figued it out. I recall seeing where someone here posted success with just swapping connectors on that ignition module.

S.J.

[GWChris]

Well, yeah, but you are talking about an electronic module, so what it "looks" like doesn't matter much. I'm sure it uses the same housing, but the circuit or the calibration COULD be completely different.

Or not.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally posted by GWChris:
Well, yeah, but you are talking about an electronic module, so what it "looks" like doesn't matter much. I'm sure it uses the same housing, but the circuit or the calibration COULD be completely different.

Or not.

Its not, they are the same thing. I have swapped plugs many times. Ford Modules are also the same thing, if you want to shop the Junk Yards

[Ristow]

yep,same.
but there are 2 different types that i'm aware of,maybe more.
they are identified by the color the plastic is where the wires go into the unit. white or blue i believe are the choices.

[475thFG]

Originally posted by Ristow:
yep,same.
but there are 2 different types that i'm aware of,maybe more.
they are identified by the color the plastic is where the wires go into the unit. white or blue i believe are the choices.

Yep, white or blue, that's what Tony (my mechanic buddy) said.

[GWChris]

They may well all be the same in FSJs, I really don't know - but they are used in many different vehicles, and other than the connector type/color (they are keyed), they all look the same. They'll probably all fire the coil, but they are not the same.

Interestingly, I know someone who was involved in the design of these.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Part Number: EL107
This product fits the following vehicles
AMERICAN MOTORS
1978 - 1980 AMX
1977 HORNET

1978 - 1981 CONCORD
1977 - 1978 MATADOR

1983 CONCORD
1977 - 1980 PACER

1980 - 1981 EAGLE
1979 - 1981 SPIRIT

1983 - 1987 EAGLE
1983 SPIRIT

1977 - 1978 GREMLIN



DAIHATSU back to top
1989 CHARADE



FORD back to top
1976 - 1987 BRONCO
1988 - 1989 F53 STRIPPED CHASSIS

1975 - 1979 COUNTRY SQUIRE
1996 - 1997 F53 STRIPPED CHASSIS

1977 - 1979 COURIER
1978 - 1983 FAIRMONT

1981 - 1982 COURIER
1978 - 1980 FIESTA

1975 - 1977 CUSTOM 500
1975 - 1976 GRAN TORINO

1996 E SUPER DUTY
1975 - 1982 GRANADA

1975 - 1983 E-100 ECONOLINE
1975 - 1985 LTD

1975 - 1987 E-150 ECONOLINE
1977 - 1979 LTD II

1975 - 1989 E-250 ECONOLINE
1976 - 1977 MAVERICK

1995 E-250 ECONOLINE
1979 - 1986 MUSTANG

1975 - 1989 E-350 ECONOLINE
1976 - 1978 MUSTANG II

1995 - 1996 E-350 ECONOLINE
1976 P-350

1975 - 1976 ELITE
1976 - 1980 PINTO

1981 - 1982 ESCORT
1976 RANCH WAGON

1982 EXP
1975 - 1979 RANCHERO

1975 - 1983 F-100 PICKUP
1983 - 1988 RANGER

1975 - 1987 F-150 PICKUP
1984 TEMPO

1975 - 1997 F-250 PICKUP
1975 - 1984 THUNDERBIRD

1975 - 1997 F-350 PICKUP
1975 - 1976 TORINO

1996 - 1997 F-450 SUPER DUTY PICKUP
1995 WINDSTAR



JEEP back to top
1977 - 1985 CHEROKEE
1977 - 1988 J20

1977 - 1983 CJ5
1981 - 1985 SCRAMBLER

1977 - 1986 CJ7
1977 - 1985 WAGONEER

1984 - 1987 GRAND WAGONEER
1987 WRANGLER

1977 - 1988 J10



LINCOLN back to top
1976 - 1980 CONTINENTAL
1980 MARK VI

1983 - 1985 CONTINENTAL
1982 - 1983 MARK VI

1976 MARK IV
1982 - 1983 TOWN CAR

1977 - 1979 MARK V
1977 - 1980 VERSAILLES



MERCURY back to top
1976 - 1980 BOBCAT
1982 LN7

1976 - 1977 CAPRI
1981 - 1982 LYNX

1979 - 1985 CAPRI
1976 - 1984 MARQUIS

1976 COLONY PARK
1976 - 1980 MONARCH

1979 - 1982 COLONY PARK
1976 MONTEGO

1976 - 1977 COMET
1984 TOPAZ

1976 - 1984 COUGAR
1978 - 1983 ZEPHYR

1976 - 1983 GRAND MARQUIS

[Mavawreck]

Yup, it works. Shoulda asked here first.

[FSJ Guy]

I read on another website (so it must be true!!! LOL!) that the blue ones were 49 state legal. I guess the other color is for CA?? I dunno....

BTW, it's called the ignition module, not an ECM. ECM's are usually referring to fuel injection computers.

[mdill9]

Well a Ford module, with GM connectors, going into
a Damm-near-Chysler is bound to cost more than a
Ford module going in to a Ford !

Mike D.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally posted by mdill9:
Well a Ford module, with GM connectors, going into
a Damm-near-Chysler is bound to cost more than a
Ford module going in to a Ford !

Mike D.

LOL Yup

I think they call that Part AC-Del-Fomo-par

[Mr. Goatman]

The one from my 80 wagon went right into my 87. I did quit working within a week. I wonder if it was already going bad or if that did something to it?

[mechanical man]

Just to add to the confusion, my 87 came from the factory with the 88 connectors. I had to purchase the 88 version for my 87! That's all gone now with the HEI.