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I got stranded the other day. Car shut down while I was driving.... fortunately I was only about 1 mile from home. Also, fortunately I carry around with my a spare ignition module, cap, coil, standard EProm chip, ECM, etc... plus all the needed tools to install them.
I was able (by process of elimination) to determine that the Ostrich is malfunctioning. Soon as I replaced it with the standard EProm, the car fired right up.
The only thing I can think of is that the battery has died. It's been on the car in continuous use for probably 6-7 years now.
I opened it up and the battery appears to be semi-permamently installed. Can't tell if its soldered in, brazed in, gap welded, etc...
Anyone know how to replace these things without damaging the unit?
I did replace mine a few years ago and it was nerve racking. If I remember there was some prying involved. The Battery is glued right? Well it's doable but be gentle and take your time.
Sbformula, it doesn't appear to be glued. More like brazed or gap welded or something. BTW, how did you find out the battery needed to be replaced?
I measured the voltage on mine and its reading about 2.7V. The battery has 3V written on it. A new CR032 battery reads 3.2.
Tuned, yeah it kinda looks like that.
I don't remember exactly why it was a pain to change but after seeing @Tuned Performance post, I believe I ended removing the tabs from the old battery (CR2031X-HE) and jimmy rigged them to a regular CR2032 that I had in stock. I did not know better at the time! Live and learn. I changed it because I thought it was the problem. Turned out it was not.
UPDATED: I think I was having problems with the real time tuning feature at the time. I was swapping the emulator back and forth with a chip. Out of impatience, I handled the EPROM with the ECM on. It damaged the EPROM.
Sb, I think I'm probably going to do what you did. Get a socket for a CR2032 standard coin cell battery and route wires to the outside of the unit. That way I can easily change the battery easily next time.
Sb, I think I'm probably going to do what you did. Get a socket for a CR2032 standard coin cell battery and route wires to the outside of the unit. That way I can easily change the battery easily next time.
Excellent idea!!
Might do that when I get a chance. I am always wondering when the battery will die and how far from home I will be.
UPDATED: I think I was having problems with the real time tuning feature at the time. I was swapping the emulator back and forth with a chip. Out of impatience, I handled the EPROM with the ECM on. It damaged the EPROM.
Yeah I've been noticing recently that when I do an upload to the Ostrich, occasionally the car will go into limp home mode, due to a failed upload. It had been happening more frequently lately... must have been a precursor to outright failure.
I'd have to shut the car down, do another upload to get it running again.
Sb, I think I'm probably going to do what you did. Get a socket for a CR2032 standard coin cell battery and route wires to the outside of the unit. That way I can easily change the battery easily next time.
I’m surprised it was soldered in. I think one ostrich I had had a dip fir the legs. Good to know
Sb, I think I'm probably going to do what you did. Get a socket for a CR2032 standard coin cell battery and route wires to the outside of the unit. That way I can easily change the battery easily next time.
A friend of mine did exactly that a few months ago. What socket did u use?
The battery holder is supposed to arrive tomorrow... lol... I ordered from a local seller thinking it'd get here more quickly and it takes freaking the whole week to ship it 35 miles.
Any rate, figured I'd get a head start on soldering. Decided I'd install a connectorized pigtail for future convenience.
Since His site is no more. What is everyone doing in place of his emulator? Worried if mine goes out and have a few other 3rd gen builds to do as well.
I had no idea they took batteries. I bet mine is dead as it's been sitting in the glove box for 10 years. I gave up on trying to tune and datalog as i got married and had a kid. Now I'm ready to start again this spring....lots of info to relearn. Wish i could find someone that can tune and use tunerpro RT with this emulator
The battery holder is supposed to arrive tomorrow... lol... I ordered from a local seller thinking it'd get here more quickly and it takes freaking the whole week to ship it 35 miles.
Any rate, figured I'd get a head start on soldering. Decided I'd install a connectorized pigtail for future convenience.
Things like this was perfect for Radio Shack. They had odd ball stuff like the battery holder and wiring pigtails. Its' a shame they are gone now.
I’ve been using an Ostrich V1 and 2 for years. Never had the battery issue. However, if I am going on a long trip, I carry another prom loaded w a recent tune that will get me home. I may even backup the tune I am using onto the prom that sits on the G2 adapter just in case.
06-10-2023, 01:52 PM
