Fried Cobra 97 Computer?????
 

Okay, I finished doing a clutch job in my 97 Cobra and was very happy, for two days. I was even bragging to my wife about how reliable my car has been, I am the original owner, it has 106K miles with no problems whatsoever. This is the first time I change the clutch, as I take it easy driving it (actually it blew the release bearing, the clutch itself still had meat on it).

Anyway, while waiting for my wife to come out of my son's daycare, the car suddenly died. It would crank hard, but would never start. Had to take it home on a flat bed. First thing I checked was spark, there was none. I found fuse 13 blown, this is the one for the EEC (Powertrain Control Module and Constant Control Relay Module). If I put a new fuse, it blows when I put the ignition switch in the On position, no cranking necessary. The "Theft" light then blinks rapidly, I don't think I have seen that before.

I attempted to read the OBD codes but the scanner cannot connect, gives me an error message. I know the scanner works because it is new and I just tested it in two other cars.

I also noticed a pattern in the blinking of the "Theft" light. When I put the key in the "On" position it blinks very rapidly for exactly one minute. Then, it blinks once and then six times. It does this exactly then times (the 1-6 pattern).

From what I have read, it is either the Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) Module or the EEC computer itself.

What do you guys think???

By the way, to change the clutch, the first thing I did was to disconnect the negative cable from the battery, and that was the very last thing I put back on. I also believe that all my connections for the harness that go over the tranny are correctly installed. The engine was working perfectly until it died also.

Your comments will be greatly appreciated. (Sorry for the long post, wanted to provide as much info as possible anticipating the questions I would get).

Carlos

whatever it is it sounds major and not good, ok now that the obvious is stated...lol. my guess would be the ecu, which i'm guessing you could take out, open it up and see if anything looks burnt. idk where it is on a 97 cobra, but on an 03 6er it's behind the passenger side kickplate. it's relatively easy to get out, and to take the cover off. also if the scanner isn't connecting, i don't think it would do that because of the anti-theft stuff, but i'm no mechanic either. and if the fuse is blowing, it could be something in the ecu shorted out. hope anything i've said helps ya dude.

I would make sure you didn't get the trans harness squashed between the engine and bellhousing. Also, the circuit leading from fuse #13 may have the O2 power wires tied in, so make sure that an O2 harness hasn't burned and shorted on the exhaust or something.

Get a very power flashlight and follow all the cables, make sure none are pinched or touching the exhuast and getting burnt. There are several control modules in the rear drivers side trunk, I think 3 and that is where the pats system is stored. Check those out for burnt components. One of my lights were not working and it turned out the control module was burnt. I went to the junkyard and got one used one. The ECU is on the passengers kickpanel. Before I do any of that recheck your work as far as cable routing. If you find something burnt on a control module you have to find out why it got fried as adding a new one without finding the cause might get the new one fried as well.

ever find the problem??

Did the same thing in my 98 gt eccept i was playing around with a chip. You need to get another one from carquest or something like that then you will have to turn in your core and it will cost like I think 250. Then plug it in. you might have to get it reflashed at the ford dealership.

I have the same problem the car is at Apple Valley ford it's been there for 3 months and new CCM is burnt-out this is the second CCM that's been installed now they're trying to figure why it keeps burning out