1990 Geo Prizm ECM location

1990 GEO PRIZM
124,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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ALLPORTD
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I am getting a fault code 12, does this realate to
No reference pulses to Electronic Control Module (ECM).
I was wondering where the ECM is located so I can check for bad connection or bad wires.
If you have advise on what the cause of this is it would be great
Thanks, Dwight
Mar 28, 2008 at 11:57 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Behind the center of the dash...check the green wire at distributor for 12volts...


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_ECM_1.jpg

Mar 28, 2008 at 12:48 PM
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ALLPORTD
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I checked the green wire and it is fine. Any other suggestion would be great. The engine runs fine most of the time every so often it guits then it will start backup and run fine. It has had new fuel pump, new fuel filter and injectors have been cleaned.
Mar 28, 2008 at 2:43 PM
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MERLIN2021
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Igniter
Mar 28, 2008 at 3:35 PM
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MMPRINCE4000
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You will always get code 12 when the engine is off, ign. is on, and the diagnostic ports A and B are connected.

As Merlin said it is probably the ignitor (ignition module in the distributor).
Check with auto parts stores, but I have found it is cheaper to buy a reman'd complete distributor ($260 at NAPA) vs the ignition module itself ($304 at NAPA).
Mar 29, 2008 at 7:15 AM
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MERLIN2021
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Good tip!
Mar 29, 2008 at 7:45 AM
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ALLPORTD
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Thanks for all the help.
As we bought the car in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and it is hard to get parts here, I will buy the parts when I go back to Canada. It seems the be working much better with fewer stalls. The car sat here for two years without running. I have clean a lot of connections as well as the installing other parts as per my previous post.
Thanks again
Mar 29, 2008 at 5:56 PM