Car stalled out w/ code 42

[MeenZ28]

So, for my birthday, my car decided to f-up on me this morning. How nice of her, huh?

Driving to work, in motion, stalled compleatly out. I had to coast it into a parking lot and call the tow truck. She'll start but won't stay running.
It's only giving me one code - 42. From what I researched it's Electronic Spark Timing Circut (EST)... Haven't had a chance to look into it further as I had to take my wife's car to work.

Any idea what I should be looking for exactly?

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Check the EST circuit.

[MeenZ28]

That's the wire i unplug to check timing, right?

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Yes, make sure it isn't open or shorted to ground.

[MeenZ28]

Checked the wiring. Looks fine. Nothing burnt or cut. The connectors were all together and tight. Checked the timing and its where it should be. Decided to clear the code by disconnecting the battery for a little. Reconnected and turned the car on. Its holding its idle now although a little iratic but the code went away. Tried to drive it. Got about 10 feet and it shut off on me again. Same code 42 again. im going to take the icm out of the distributor and have autozone test it. Hoping it fails at least then ill know what to do.

[MeenZ28]

Autozone couldnt test it. I went to 2 and called 3 others. They do test icm just none of them in my area have the harness for my particular part.... So i did somthing i try never to do. I bought a new one hoping itll fix the issue.

It gets better... The new duralast icm is thicker at the screw holes than the one in the car so the screws dont "grab" the base of the distributor. Correct me if im wrong but the icm has to ground itself to the base of the distributor. With it loose it wont work. So i either modify the new part, or find longer screws.... Fml

[NullHead]

Return it and try a different brand? Never had that issue with the half dozen of these I've slapped on my various old GM vehicles. Also, for what it's worth, I hate Duralast/Autozone. I avoid it if at all possible. Not trying to start a debate here, but I'm just saying that in my experience duralast parts are shotty at best, I'd give the part from Advanced auto, O'Rielly's, Hastings before Autozone.

[MeenZ28]

You may be right. The new icm is in and now it doesnt even want to start. Worse than before. Unfortunatly autozone doesnt take back electrical parts.... So im out the $50. Im so pissed its not even funny.

[MeenZ28]

I've now tried 2 different "new" ICMs and even tried the old one as well. No start at all (Even with the old one which did start before). I've ripped all the loom off the harness tracing all the wiring to the distributor to the ECM. Pulled the interior apart and physically looked at the ECM as well for any signs of damage or burnt areas to the wiring and everything looks great. I've come to the conclusion that the distributor itself took a dump. I have a new one on order now and we'll see if that fixes it. If not, I replace the ECM. Sometimes I really love life....

[MeenZ28]

New distributor is in. No change. Im lost. Compleatly lost. Time to sell it?

[MeenZ28]

How likly is the ECM toast? Do they actually go bad?

[zeeman]

Do you have spark? Fuel pressure? Start from the basics. Stop throwing parts at it you could be compounding the problem.
If it wont even start now start over from the begining. Forget about the code for now and find out why its not trying now. Basics. Fuel air and spark. Recheck your timing on the distributir instalation.

[MeenZ28]

I have fuel. Not an issue. I installed the new dist. in the same position as the one I took out. How do you check timing without the engine firing?

[DanDalessandro]

Recheck codes. Code 43 is ECU. 42 is ICM which I'm sure you know. Are you getting spark? Is the engine just spinning, what's it doing

[MeenZ28]

It's spinning, just won't fire. Kinda sounds like it wants to... but maybe I'm just being hopeful. I'll double check that I have spark when I get home tonight. If code 42 is the ICM, how can I not have had any luck with 2 different new ICMs and 1 whole new distributor?