CCCI Aftermarket Module Problems

[GNVenom]

I have recently seen sort of a "rash" of problems related to AutoZone or other aftermarket CCCI modules. Seems some of them don't even test at all using our CCCI Simulator, and others show odd CCCI related codes when they are in operation. So, the question: Have any of you had this sort of stuff happen, and how have you fixed the problem? I am trying to sort it out, but my first response would be "don't use aftermarket CCCI modules, use ONLY OEM AC DELCO parts".
Any comments?

John Spina
http://www.casperselectronics.com
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[blackbuick87]

Running and Advance Auto module for about two months, no problems yet.

They are good to keep as spares. That way if you swap modules and that is not the problem you are not out $225

 

[Bmason]

I've had this very same problem before. I tore my car apart (last summer) for a "no-start" problem. I turned the car off and it never restarted. I checked everything! I swapped parts between 2 cars and found nothing! I went as far as to remove my Fel Pro and sent it in to be checked. It was returned "No problem found". I even started tracing wires and tearing into the wiring harness. Again, no problem found. At the end of my rope, I had no choice but to start at the beginning and hope that I'd missed something. That time around, instead of just moving the coil pack and ignition module to another car, I used the tester. BINGO, it would not work...nothing...dead. For the heck of it, I moved it to the other car (stock ECM) and it worked! WTF? And it's still working today! I tested the one that was originally on the car with the stock ECM and it tested fine. Moved that one to the car with the Fel Pro, and it started!

I went to Advance to get a spare and took the tester with me. I went through three (3) modules before I found one that the tester would fire. I don't know what it is that is causing it not to fire the tester, but if you put it on a STOCK ECM car it will work regardless! But it will not fire a car with a Fel Pro on it, period.

-Bobby

 

[RICHIE HIGH PSI]

I have 3 GP SORENSEN brand ign modules that work fine on my car, have ran 11:30 and better on all 3, but i can not check them on my simulator, so i think i spent alot of money on a tool that does not even work. I tried my friends tester and no good. It does show that my melted, leaking ac-delco module is fine...hth richie

 

[Bmason]

Richie:

I don't think it's the tool. I'm thinking along the lines of maybe some reference voltage that's not present in the other units. I have a couple of non-Delco units that will fire and some that won't. But they all work with the stock ECM and the ones that don't fire will not work with the Fel Pro ECU.

John, what triggered this thread? Were the problems reported by people running stock ECMs?

-Bobby

 

[GNVenom]

No problems per se, just a few inquires into why the Simulator doesn't work with aftermarket modules. My response is the tester was designed to work with OEM modules, and not aftermarket modules - because I have no idea what the aftermarket does to achieve the end result. However it made me wonder WHY the aftermarket modules behave differently.
With regard to the comment "the tool does not even work", well that's like shooting the messenger for delivering the message. If the tool were used on an OEM part, I'd bet it'd work perfectly. But since it's being used on another manufacturer's product, well we need to figure out exactly why it doesn't work.
We'll get to the bottom of it....
-John Spina
http://www.casperselectronics.com

 

[Spooling]

John, it just so happened to be me, who returned one CCCI tester to you, and called to ask why the replacement that you sent to me would not working either.

Turns out, the Modules are not compatible with this tester, and IMO, they should not.

Well, it all started with a REAL bad miss when the engine would become normal operating temperature and above, which is rather fast in the Florida heat now.

Replaced the Ignition Module to an aftermarket unit (Thanks Richie) and the Coil Pack (GM unit). Seemed fine, up until ~ 10psi of boost and above.

Threw a lot of stuff at this thing trying to sort it out (excluding Ignition Module as it was new). No results, same deal. WTF, roller cam valvesprings?

Well, I bought John's tester (and a mess of other stuff from him), and the tester would not work on the module, or even some that Richie had.

Decided to go AC Ignition Module, and tester from John worked fine. Bolted new AC Delco Ignition Module on with new AC Coil Pack (Thanks Richie) )))) And my 10+ psi miss is now gone. I am happy.

Thus, IMO, you can take those aftermarket Ignition Modules and stick them where the sun don't shine. (Anywhere but Florida).

John, I don't know that I would re-design your CCCI Simulator to accommodate these aftermarket ignition modules, as IMO, they do not work up to par. Buddie Richie has quite a collection of these now, should you like to "use" one for testing purposes, I am sure that he would part with one for this purpose.

HTH,

Edward
spooling@stage1.net

 

[Nick Micale]

There is usually a reason the aftermarket pieces are cheaper and cost less that original equipment replacements. They do just enough to get by, cheaper components and even may have different circuits that use less parts but "work".

Hate having to show how long I have been around, but in the '70's when electronic ignitions were first introduced by the auto makers, lots of aftermarket pieces showed up. A Ford module from the dealer was ~$80 and aftermarket, at least the cheaper ones, were ~$35. Chrysler and GM had to deal with the same "counterfit" parts.

One company had a display that showed un-potted original and "cheap" aftermarket modules with exposed circuits and components. Only about one-fifth the parts and circuits on the cheap one. In service, cheap one ran like crap, and would only last a couple years at best.

So if you do not use Delco, you cannot be sure of what electronics or parts are in it - or not. At least Delco is made to OEM specs. Even if others state that, I am never sure if it is marketing or truth?

If my Casper's tester does not work on a coil pack/module, it won't go on a car.

 

[John at J&S]

Duttweiler gave me a unit to play with a few years ago, to see if I could soup it up. I unpotted it and made this schematic:

http://www.jandssafeguard.com/test/images/GNModule1.jpg
http://www.jandssafeguard.com/test/images/GNModule2.jpg
http://www.jandssafeguard.com/test/images/GNModule3.jpg