Question about under the hood electronics - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kcackler · 03-11-2009, 11:22 PM

OK - So we went and purchased the truck mentioned in this thread today. Going to go pick her up tomorrow.

The PO pointed out his "electronic control box" that he says needs replacing. It was a black, small, plastic box, mounted on the firewall directly behind the breather. It is somewhat melted, and he claims that is the electronics that controls the choke, and that's why she won't run well right now.

I snapped a picture, but it didn't come out too well, so I don't have anything to show you guys. But from the description, does anyone have any idea what this box is, and what its full purpose is? Also, the proper name of it would be nice

Kevin

grinch4om · 03-12-2009, 07:53 AM

the manual shows nothing, california emmisions? Is this an early TB injection or carb? If it indeed is choke electrics it can be overcome so it will run well, sounds to me a bit of a suspicious tale...

**N2TRUX** · 03-12-2009, 08:48 AM

Does it appear to be factory or could it be aftermarket?

James McClure · 03-12-2009, 09:12 AM

Kevin, get a picture and post it. Thats the best way to get an accurite description of what the part is. Seeing as it's an 86 it is probably related to ESC but I'm not going to bet on it. GM did at one time have a choke relay but after so many years it's location escapes me.

kcackler · 03-12-2009, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll get a picture when we bring her home today.

Squibnocket · 03-12-2009, 12:47 PM

Hey kc I live in conway, ar also. Hit me up sometime cuz I have an 85 Silverado that I am currently building as a street/occasionally strip truck.

kcackler · 03-12-2009, 11:13 PM

Nice to meet you Squib...Once we get this project going, I may give you a shout...

Now, to the problem at hand. We got the truck here today, and boy is she a rough runner. Starting is tough unless you mash the gas to the floor, and keeping her running is quite a challenge. But she does run and does drive, so we've at least got that going for us.

So, first things first, that little black box. Pictures of it are attached. We tried following the wires, but it looks like it goes into a factory wire loom - Then again, it was dark and we couldn't see all that much. THe first picture is of the box, mounted on the firewall, and the second picture is of the circuit board that we slid out of the box.

So, what is this box? What does it do? And where can I get a cheap replacement (if needed)

And after this, you get to help with all of our carb questions

Kevin

Squibnocket · 03-13-2009, 09:39 AM

I believe it is an ignition control module. I did a search based on the name Casco that was printed on it. Hope that helps.

kcackler · 03-13-2009, 10:20 AM

I just did some searching for a replacement ignition control module, but all of the parts I found look like this: http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...lco/D1961A.jpg

Where did you find your info on what it might be?

kcackler · 03-13-2009, 10:50 AM

We desperately need to get this truck running by the end of next week, if at all possible, so I'm hoping someone can give me a definitive answer. Here are a couple more pictures - Not sure if they'll help, but I'm putting them up anyway.

The left connector has 5 pins and the right one has 1, just for reference.

kcackler · 03-13-2009, 11:12 AM

OK - I would say that it's not the ignition control module, as the truck starts and runs with the board disconnected. Thanks for the idea, though..

grinch4om · 03-13-2009, 11:15 AM

take it and the case to chevy parts counter person, he may be able to run the # on it

kcackler · 03-13-2009, 11:16 AM

OK - We'll give that a try today.

kcackler · 03-13-2009, 12:28 PM

Took it to the parts guy, who had to show it to an older parts guy. Turns out this board was part of the air injection system on the 3/4 ton heavy duty trucks. LOTS of people had truck fires because this board melted (Which explains the melted appearance of the box). The older guy said that because of all of the fires, people started just eliminating the air injection altogether. So our plan is to just tuck the wire connectors away and leave it at that.

Does anyone see any harm in doing that?

heavychevy79 · 03-14-2009, 02:12 AM

Get rid of it and the twin air pumps too if the truck is too old for an emissions test in your area.

I have the twin to your truck sitting in my front yard to be worked on, it has been kept very stock and original, it does however have some of the vac lines removed, but still has the twin air pumps.

I will look at it tomorrow and see what all is still hooked up, and I'll get back with you.
I sent you a PM

FYI this is the only year they came with factory "tuned" headers and twin air
pumps.

kcackler · 03-14-2009, 10:54 AM

Ah - So that's what those two pulleys are. The air pumps....

So, if we remove the pumps, can we also remove all of the associated crap (IE, hoses) from the engine? If so, what do we use to plug the holes in the engine manifolds?

kcackler · 03-14-2009, 01:20 PM

I looked some more at it, and it looks like I should be able to plug the manifold holes with pipe plugs.

Rather than replacing the manifolds with non-air injection ones, I'd rather just plug them if that's an acceptable fix.

heavychevy79 · 03-14-2009, 02:51 PM

Yeah pipe plugs, I've cut them off close to the manifold and welded them up too.
Yeah those air pumps don't help fuel mileage at all either.

03-11-2009, 11:22 PM	#1
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Question about under the hood electronics OK - So we went and purchased the truck mentioned in this thread today. Going to go pick her up tomorrow. The PO pointed out his "electronic control box" that he says needs replacing. It was a black, small, plastic box, mounted on the firewall directly behind the breather. It is somewhat melted, and he claims that is the electronics that controls the choke, and that's why she won't run well right now. I snapped a picture, but it didn't come out too well, so I don't have anything to show you guys. But from the description, does anyone have any idea what this box is, and what its full purpose is? Also, the proper name of it would be nice Kevin __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-12-2009, 07:53 AM	#2
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: Question about under the hood electronics the manual shows nothing, california emmisions? Is this an early TB injection or carb? If it indeed is choke electrics it can be overcome so it will run well, sounds to me a bit of a suspicious tale...

03-12-2009, 08:48 AM	#3
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Does it appear to be factory or could it be aftermarket? __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" Last edited by N2TRUX; 03-12-2009 at 08:49 AM.

03-12-2009, 09:12 AM	#4
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Kevin, get a picture and post it. Thats the best way to get an accurite description of what the part is. Seeing as it's an 86 it is probably related to ESC but I'm not going to bet on it. GM did at one time have a choke relay but after so many years it's location escapes me. __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

03-12-2009, 10:51 AM	#5
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Thanks for the ideas guys. I'll get a picture when we bring her home today. __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-12-2009, 12:47 PM	#6
Squibnocket Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Conway, Ar Posts: 2	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Hey kc I live in conway, ar also. Hit me up sometime cuz I have an 85 Silverado that I am currently building as a street/occasionally strip truck.

03-12-2009, 11:13 PM	#7
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Nice to meet you Squib...Once we get this project going, I may give you a shout... Now, to the problem at hand. We got the truck here today, and boy is she a rough runner. Starting is tough unless you mash the gas to the floor, and keeping her running is quite a challenge. But she does run and does drive, so we've at least got that going for us. So, first things first, that little black box. Pictures of it are attached. We tried following the wires, but it looks like it goes into a factory wire loom - Then again, it was dark and we couldn't see all that much. THe first picture is of the box, mounted on the firewall, and the second picture is of the circuit board that we slid out of the box. So, what is this box? What does it do? And where can I get a cheap replacement (if needed) And after this, you get to help with all of our carb questions Kevin Attached Images __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale Last edited by kcackler; 03-12-2009 at 11:15 PM.

03-13-2009, 09:39 AM	#8
Squibnocket Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Conway, Ar Posts: 2	Re: Question about under the hood electronics I believe it is an ignition control module. I did a search based on the name Casco that was printed on it. Hope that helps.

03-13-2009, 10:20 AM	#9
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics I just did some searching for a replacement ignition control module, but all of the parts I found look like this: http://info.rockauto.com/getimage/ge...lco/D1961A.jpg Where did you find your info on what it might be? __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-13-2009, 10:50 AM	#10
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics We desperately need to get this truck running by the end of next week, if at all possible, so I'm hoping someone can give me a definitive answer. Here are a couple more pictures - Not sure if they'll help, but I'm putting them up anyway. The left connector has 5 pins and the right one has 1, just for reference. Attached Images __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-13-2009, 11:12 AM	#11
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics OK - I would say that it's not the ignition control module, as the truck starts and runs with the board disconnected. Thanks for the idea, though.. __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-13-2009, 11:15 AM	#12
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: Question about under the hood electronics take it and the case to chevy parts counter person, he may be able to run the # on it Last edited by grinch4om; 03-13-2009 at 11:15 AM.

03-13-2009, 11:16 AM	#13
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics OK - We'll give that a try today. __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-13-2009, 12:28 PM	#14
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Took it to the parts guy, who had to show it to an older parts guy. Turns out this board was part of the air injection system on the 3/4 ton heavy duty trucks. LOTS of people had truck fires because this board melted (Which explains the melted appearance of the box). The older guy said that because of all of the fires, people started just eliminating the air injection altogether. So our plan is to just tuck the wire connectors away and leave it at that. Does anyone see any harm in doing that? __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-14-2009, 02:12 AM	#15
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Get rid of it and the twin air pumps too if the truck is too old for an emissions test in your area. I have the twin to your truck sitting in my front yard to be worked on, it has been kept very stock and original, it does however have some of the vac lines removed, but still has the twin air pumps. I will look at it tomorrow and see what all is still hooked up, and I'll get back with you. I sent you a PM FYI this is the only year they came with factory "tuned" headers and twin air pumps.



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03-14-2009, 10:54 AM	#16
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Ah - So that's what those two pulleys are. The air pumps.... So, if we remove the pumps, can we also remove all of the associated crap (IE, hoses) from the engine? If so, what do we use to plug the holes in the engine manifolds? __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-14-2009, 01:20 PM	#17
kcackler Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Russellville, AR Posts: 164	Re: Question about under the hood electronics I looked some more at it, and it looks like I should be able to plug the manifold holes with pipe plugs. Rather than replacing the manifolds with non-air injection ones, I'd rather just plug them if that's an acceptable fix. __________________ Blue - 77 Chevy Scottsdale

03-14-2009, 02:51 PM	#18
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: Question about under the hood electronics Yeah pipe plugs, I've cut them off close to the manifold and welded them up too. Yeah those air pumps don't help fuel mileage at all either.

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